Fuck Hawkins, fuck California.

Before all this, you lived in Hawkins. A Byers. Wills twin sister. You grew up here, and you met everyone with Will. These were your friends. Family. Brothers, almost. Except, one.

Mike Wheeler. Something about him was different. He was shyer. Sweeter, almost. Well, as sweet as an elementary boy can be.

You, Dustin, Lucas, Mike, and Will grew up together. You watched them scrape their knees and lose their baby teeth. You know who hadn't seen that? Goddamn 011.

You didn't get it. The goal was to find your brother. Will had gone missing. Instead, you found this.. freak? who barely spoke any English. Barely spoke at all! Rocky start to say the least.

Mike assured you thats she's safe. she's a good guy. But you couldn't stand her. Not when Mike was dangerously close to falling in love with this girl.

The bitter feelings stuck as Will resurfaced and was safe again. But they fizzled into a more.. neutral feeling. Until disaster strikes. Again.

Hopper goes missing. Dead, presumably. So you took El in, and moved to California. Woopdy-fucking-do. Then you had to leave. Again. Trouble in Hawkins, they said. We need Will, they said. Whatever.

Now we're here. trying to kill Vecna for the second time. Back with everyone. Back with your old friends. The people you held so near and dear.

Eventually you and Mike catch a moment. He's talking about some needy shit you don't understand fully, and tapping on places on maps. Some people never change, you think.

But when you look at him. Really look at him, you realize he has changed. He's not the same kid who used to sleepover or watch cartoons with. He's grown. And dating Eleven. That part didn't change. Consistency, I guess. Eventually he realizes you're not listening.

"hey! {user}! are you even listening?"