The mall doors whooshed open like they were welcoming royalty instead of a pack of small-town teenagers escaping the Indiana heat.

“Okay, but this place is actually insane,” Max said, pushing her sunglasses up into her hair as the cool air hit her face. “It’s like… the future.”

El stood beside her, eyes wide, taking in the fountains, the glass elevators, the endless glow of store signs. “It’s… bright,” she said, like that single word held a thousand feelings. Mike beamed at her like he personally built the mall just to see that expression.

Lucas nudged Max. “Told you Starcourt would be better than the arcade.”

“Don’t get cocky,” she shot back, though she was already pulling him toward a store window filled with colorful scrunchies and neon bracelets.

Behind them, Dustin spun slowly in a full circle, hat tipped back, mouth open. “This,” he declared, “is civilization.”

“You said that about the science museum,” Will muttered, but there was a tiny smile there. He stayed close to Mike out of habit, hands shoved in his pockets, eyes flicking between the group and the crowd.

Nancy and Jonathan walked a little behind everyone else, fingers loosely laced. Nancy kept glancing around like she was mentally cataloging everything. “This many people in Hawkins at once has to be a story,” she said.

Jonathan smirked. “You’re off the clock.”

“I’m never off the clock.”

Steve Harrington appeared from the direction of the escalators, leaning against the railing like he’d been waiting for his cue. He was in full Scoops Ahoy uniform, sailor hat and all, holding out a tiny sample spoon. “Ahoy, ladies and nerds.”

Dustin gasped. “You work here?!”

Steve sighed. “Yes, Henderson. I work here. I sail the high seas of frozen dairy.”

Max grabbed a sample. “You look ridiculous.”

“Thank you, that’s the vibe we’re going for.”

El tasted hers carefully. Her eyes lit up. “Cold… and happy.”

Mike melted on the spot. “She likes it. That’s it. We live here now.”

Lucas elbowed him. “You can’t live in a mall, dude.”

Dustin gestured broadly. “With enough planning? Absolutely you can.”

Nancy rolled her eyes. “We’re not turning Starcourt into a fallout bunker, Dustin.”

“Yet,” Jonathan added quietly.