"Nancy shoot it!" i exclaimed. Nancy began shooting at it but it didn't phase the beast.

The demogorgan began waking towards me as i tried to find something, anything to protect myself with. I found myself backed up against the wall. A soft cry escaped me as i close my eyes tightly.

I waited for the creature to come closer and kill me until someone jumped in front of me. I opened my eyes to see Steve hitting the demogorgan with the bat i had made.

"Steve" i mumbled in relief. He began swinging the bat into the creature and backed him up into the bear trap we set up.

"He's in the trap!" Steve shouted. The demogorgan tried to get out of the bear trap that was locked around it's leg but couldn't. Johnathan ran over and threw the lighter over to him.

The whole hallway began to light on fire due to the gasoline. The creature shrieked in pain. We all watched as the demogorgan struggled to escape the flames.

"Get back!" Johnathan shouted as he grabbed the fire extinguisher and began to put the fire out. We all coughed as the smoke filled up the house.

When the smoke had cleared and we looked at the trap, the demogorgan was gone. It was like it disappeared into thin air. All that was left was some flesh in the trap.

As i began to catch my breath, i looked down to see i was grabbing onto Steve's hand for dear life. I looked back up to see him staring at me as he panted for air.

As tears were still falling from my eyes, i jumped up and pulled him into an embrace. For a moment i had forgotten about everything, i just needed some comfort. And i needed it from him.

Steve hugged me back tightly. "Thank you" i mumbled into his shoulder. When my adrenaline finally began to go down, i let him go. Steve then turned around and embraced Nancy as he kissed her forehead.

I had almost forgotten they were together. I felt guilty i had hugged him for so long. I also felt guilty because a hint of jealousy came over me as i saw them together.

"Are you okay?" Johnathan asked, snapping me out of my trance. "Me? Oh... Yeah i'm fine" i said wiping my eyes with my sleeve.

I then saw Johnathan staring at Steve and Nancy. "Are you okay?" i asked. He looked at me and gave me a sad and weakened smile. "I'm fine."

After everything that had happened, we all went back inside. Johnathan sat anxiously on the couch as Nancy tried to comfort him.

I was sitting on the front porch having my last cigarette. I was hoping to see the street light flicker again so i'd know my dad was safe.

As i shivered due to the cold, winter breeze, i heard the door open behind me. I didn't have to look. I already knew who it was.

Steve sat awkwardly next to me. "So..." he said. "So..." i replied. "I think Nancy's caught me up on what's been going on. Not sure i understand everything but... I know" he said. I nodded my head as i put the cigarette up to my mouth.

"Joy... You have to know how sorry i am. I was mad and not thinking straight, and i know that isn't an excuse for anything but... Look, your cool. Like, really cool. And i like hanging out with you" he said.

Then there was silence. I saw he was anxious as he waited for my response. "Your speech was pretty cute ya know" i said. He looked at me in confusion.

"What?" "The speech you did. For Tommy and Carol outside the store on main... Yeah well, i might have been eavesdropping" i said.

"You heard that, huh?" he said. I nodded with a small smirk. "Well i meant it. And i am sorry for showing them your diary. It was stupid and... and..."

"And assholery?" i said. He laughed. "Yeah... Assholery." "It was pretty shitty Steve" i said. He sighed. "That's why i'm not sorry about your face" i said. "Yeah well it hurts like hell and i'm pretty sure i'm blind in one eye. But i deserved it" he said. "Yeah... You did."

We both sat uncomfortably not knowing what to say. Suddenly, Steve took my hand. "You know, i wasn't hanging out with you just to study. I actually... I liked talking to you " he said. I looked at my hand and back to him.

We stayed staring at each other until the door opened. Steve quickly took his hand off of mine and moved away from me.

"We should go to the hospital to see if my mom and Hop are back with Will" Johnathan said. "Of course... Yeah" i said standing up.

We all walked towards Jonathan's car as Steve stopped me. "So... Are we cool?" he asked. I bit my tongue not knowing what to say.

"I'm pretty sure our study sessions are over. Exams are soon and i've taught you mostly everything you need to know. I left some notes at your house so you can go over everything and ask Nancy for help if you need it, i heard she's great in English and-"

"Woah, Joy... I don't care about all that. I thought now since exams are over we could... I don't know just hang out as friends. Not because your my tutor" he said. I looked at the ground as i played with my fingers. "Joy?" he repeated.

I finally looked up at him. "I'm not like your friends Steve. I'm not like Tommy or Carol... And i'm certainly not like Nancy Wheeler. I tutored you. Now it's over. You can stop pretending you like me...You can stop pretending... I'll see you around." i said walking to the car.

I felt like an asshole but i don't think i could be friends with Steve. The closer i got with Steve, the more lonely i felt. I don't know why it hurt so much to see him with Nancy. But i don't want to feel that hurt again. Never. Again.

One Month Later

Hopper and Joyce eventually arrived at home. They had found Will and he was recovering. I don't think i've ever hugged my dad tighter than i did when he walked through those hospital doors.

I later found out Eleven had died protecting her friends from the demogorgon. I was more upset than i thought i would be. She was sweet. Too sweet for what had happened to her.

We don't know exactly how she died. We don't technically know if she for sure is dead. Mike mentioned that El loved eggos so i suggested we leave them out for her in the woods. It's probably stupid but rather be safe than sorry.

Johnathan and Nancy are still friends as far as i know. Steve and i... Are not. After our talk, we haven't spoken. I see him around school but that's it.

It's now Christmas eve! My dad and i do the same thing every Christmas. Every year, he goes and gets free food from the stations Christmas eve party and when he comes home, we watch it's a wonderful life and Grease.

Whilst Hopper was getting the food from the station, i began setting up the movie. I was wearing my hideous Christmas jumper that i am forced to wear every year and sweat pants.

I was grabbing blankets from my room when i heard a knock at the door. I was confused to who would be here on Christmas.

I opened the door slowly to see no one there. I stepped outside and looked around but... Nothing.

I was about to step back inside until i saw something on the floor. It was a messily wrapped present with a card taped onto it. I grabbed it and  went inside.

I sat on the sofa as i opened the card.

Dear Jo,
Thought you could use this for your music instead of that old record player.
P.s Thanks for B- on finals :)

A smile crept on my face as i read it. I ripped the wrapping which took particularly long because it was covered in tape.

I opened it to see a walkman with one tape. I always wanted a walkman but i didn't want to ask my dad for one. I put the tape in and put the head phones on.

I chuckled as "Be My Baby" by The Ronnetes began to play. I really couldn't believe he remembered, let alone would bother to get me a Christmas present. 

I heard the front door open and pulled my headphone around my neck. "So i got all the goods and i got some eggos if you want to try the woods again. Where'd you get that?" he asked pointing at the walkman.

"Oh em... My friend bought it for me" i said with a smirk. "Your friend? You... Joy Hopper... Bambi herself, have friends!" he said sarcastically. "Ha, funny" i said.

I got up and grabbed my jacket as i put the walkman on the table. We walked into the woods and left the warm eggos in a small box. We were about to walk away until we heard twigs snap behind us.

We both swiftly turned around to see a small figure step into the light. Both of our mouths slightly dropped as we saw El standing there with an anxious look on her face.

"El?" i called out. "Bambi?" i heard her say. I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Hopper looked at me and smirked. "Hey kid" Hopper said. Eleven stood there frozen like she was scared to move. Hopper put his hand on my head and ruffled up my hair.

"Yeah bambi... So i think we may have to cancel movie night."