TWO MONTHS LATER

12/25/1983

Dear Diary,

I can't remember the last time I actually wrote in this old thing, but I thought maybe is the time to finally write an entry. I haven't spoken to Steve in two months. He hasn't picked me for from school or even offered a ride. Whenever we see each other in the hallway, at school, we both put our heads down and continue walking. Tommy and Carol were quite glad when they found out Steve and I weren't friends anymore, but it still hurts me.

I wasn't even 100% sure I liked him more than friends and now we're on a non-talking basis. Since becoming friends with Steve, this is the longest we've ever been apart. It hurts so much. It's strange how we went from hanging out with each other every single day to not seeing each other at all for two whole months.

Well, I guess there are stranger things in this town. Speaking of, nothing interesting has happened since the whole "Demogorgon" thing, so I just figured things will be going back to normal some time soon. Somewhat normal, that is.

My bedroom door slowly opens so I look up to see who is entering my room. My Dad pops his head around the crack and smiles at me when he sees I'm awake. "I didn't know you had woken up yet," he informs me. "Are going to come down and open your presents?"

I smile and nod my head, closing my diary and sliding it under my pillow. I get out of bed and jump down the stairs, still in my nightgown. Emily and Elaine are already downstairs, sitting impatiently on the couch for my arrival. "That big one is eyeing me up," Emily tells Elaine, pointing to a big cube shaped box.

"That one," I begin, pointing at the said box and sitting down. "Would be the one from me." I smile at her brightly, as her face lights up in joy. "You look like a kid who's just come downstairs on Christmas." I joke, ironically, making Elaine laugh.

"Right, Kids," Dad announces his presence. We look up to see him pointing a video camera at us. We all groan and he sighs. "I want to capture this moment!" He defends himself, still recording. "Go on, then, start opening up your gifts."

"Liz, you go first!" Elaine insists, pushing one present in particular towards me. I smile, taking the box from her hands. "This one is from all of us. We thought you'd appreciate it." I look down at the delicately wrapped box. It has silver wrapping paper with baby pink ribbon, tied in a bow. I undo the ribbon, watching the wrapping paper drop to either side of the gift.

Inside the wrapping paper is a medium sized antique looking box. I open up the box and I feel tears filling my eyes instantly. On the very top is a picture. The very last picture my Mom and I ever took together. I look up at the three members of my family and smile brightly. "I thought I had lost this ages ago," I tell them.

"I found it in with your Mom's things when I finally brought myself around to clearing out her things," Dad explains, still filming me, with tears in his eyes as well. "Keep looking." I look down at the box and I notice a vintage perfume puffer, about two thirds full. It is her favorite perfume. She would wear it every single day. I sniff the top of the bottle and the tears keep sliding down my cheeks.

"Oh my God!" I exclaim, choking back the tears, but still failing miserably. "It smells just like Mom!" I turn to Elaine and Emily, who have both got tears in their eyes. I continue looking through and find a folded up piece of paper. I unfold it to uncover Mom's neat, cursive writing.

To my sweet Elizabeth,

I can't express how saddened I am that I can't be with you to see how much you grow as a person, but I already know you are going to do well in life. I knew from the first day, on the 28th of October 1966, that you were going to make me so proud. I have already seen two of my babies graduate, but I can't believe I'm not going to get to see you graduate. I can just tell that the friends you have now, will be friends for life, no matter what happens. You love them and they love you. Nothing can and will change that. I wanted to give you the world, Elizabeth, but all I can give you now is my word. My word that I will always be looking down on you. I'll be your guardian angel to help you when times get tough. Elaine and Emily will always be there for you and look after their baby sister, they love you dearly, just as your father and I.

I love you with all my heart, sweet Elizabeth.

Mom x

I am speechless. The words Mom wrote down, effortlessly perfect, make me choke with happy tears. They are the exact thing I need to hear right now. I put my hand in the box one last time and pull out a ring on a chain of necklace. Her wedding ring. I look up at Dad in shock. "Elaine and Emily decided that since you didn't have Mom for as long as them, that you should have the ring to account for the memories you didn't get to make with Mom," he explains to me. I turn and look at my sisters, engulfing them in the tightest hug imaginable.

My sisters begin to open their presents, and then we give gifts to Dad, meaning Emily has to hold the video camera. Just as he finishes opening the final present, I spot two more under the tree. I lean under and grab them, automatically recognizing the wrapping paper. They are present I wrapped for Nancy and Steve. "Hey, Dad, I completely forgot about these, do you mind if I go to Nancy's to drop them off?" I ask him, gesturing to the presents in my hand.

"Why don't you drop them off at Steve's?" He questions me, clearing up the wrapping paper. "His house is a lot closer and it's cold out." I just give my father a look and his facial expression changes immediately. "You still haven't spoken to him?"

"No, Dad, he hasn't given me the chance to," I explain, helping him with the wrapping paper. "He avoids eye contact with me in the halls, he clearly finds it too awkward to be around with me after I confessed my love for him."

"That's slightly dramatic," he notes to the latter. "You told him there's a possibility you have feelings for him, not that you love him. There's a distinct difference and when you fall in love, you will know, trust me."

I don't reply, thinking of my Dad's wise words. After all the wrapping paper is cleared from the floor I look up at him. "Dad?" He hums in response. "Do you think you will ever fall in love again?" I question, choosing my words carefully. Elaine and Emily divert their attention from the television to the two of us.

He pauses, momentarily, thinking about his answer. "Elizabeth, I loved your mother so much. We were soulmates. I made a vow to love her until death do us part, but I will never stop loving your Mom," he explains. "I doubt it very much, but it would be nice to feel that way about someone else like I did with your Mom - as hard as that would be because no one will compare to your mother." His words pull on my heartstrings, giving me a pang in the chest. I put my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "You go drop these presents off and I'll get Christmas dinner started."

"You do know you're supposed to start preparing dinner hours before, right?" Elaine speaks up, looking at Dad in confusion.

He gives her a knowing look and smiles. "Since when were we traditional?" He scoffs. "I'm ordering pizza," he elaborates, making the three of us smile. I slip my shoes and a thick coat on getting ready to leave for Nancy's. "Be as quick as you can, Liz!" He calls before I close the door behind me.

I quickly make my way to Nancy's house, it not taking to long to get to the end of the cul de sac. I make my way up the driveway and knock on the door. A few seconds later, I am greeted by Mrs. Wheeler. "Oh, hello, sweetie!" She coos when she sees my face. "Steve is just in the lounge, I'll go get him."

"No!" I say, quickly, alarming her. "Sorry," I mumble for startling her. "I'm actually here to see Nancy," I explain. She nods her head in understanding and ushers me into the house. She wanders off into the lounge, to get Nancy. "Hey, Nancy."

"Hey," she smiles at me. "I didn't expect to see you here," she tells me, giving me a big hug. She pulls away and begins to talk quietly. "Steve says you two still haven't spoken since being at the hospital, but he won't tell me why, is everything okay?"

"No, actually," I reply, getting ready to admit to her what I had told him that night. "But it's fine, I'm sure we will sort things out," I explain, not being able to gather up the courage to tell her. "Anyway, the reason I came round is to give you these." I hand her the two wrapped boxes and she smiles. "The bottom one is for Steve."

"Awh, Liz, this is so thoughtful!" She gushes. "I'll be right back." She wanders off into the lounge. She comes back with two gifts in her hands. "This one is from me," she says, handing me one. "And this one is from Steve."

"Steve?" I ask her, thinking I had misheard her. She nods her head humming. She tells me to open the gifts, so I do. The one from Nancy is a perfume in a big pink bottle and the one from Steve is a cinnamon scented candle. Steve knows I hate cinnamon and scented candles. "Steve got me this?" I question her for confirmation. She hesitates for a moment before nodding her head, not saying a word. I can tell she's lying. She's covering for him. "Thanks, Nancy," I smile at her. "Tell Steve I said thanks, too."

"Sure," she replies, quietly. "I'll see you around?" I nod my head before waving her goodbye. With that, I leave to go home.

I can't wait for this dreadful year to be over with.

1983 can suck my dick.