Mike's point of view...

Only one month later, and things could not be better. I could not be happier. Life is amazing.

As it turns out, there was a lot that we had to figure out and take care of after Jane's return.

Oh, yeah . . . El's name is Jane.

Her mother was determined unable to take care of her, and her aunt refused due to supposed 'heartbreak'. I think it's because of denial. Jane lives at my house, but Hopper is her legal guardian. He adopted her. The only reason why she currently isn't living with him is because of his work schedule. She would have to be alone a lot, and she doesn't like that at all.

Hopper and Ms. Byers have continued to grow into a relationship now. An official one, anyways. I'm pretty sure that we all knew this was bound to happen. All of their spare time is spent with each other. Will, after long last, has finally gotten used to Hopper being around. Will used to tell me how he didn't trust the whole 'dad' idea after everything with his own dad, but now, Will finally sees Hopper as a real father figure. A father figure he never had before other than with Jonathan.

As for Jane and my parents, there was obviously some needed explaining. Of course, it was very hard to try and do, Hopper pulled it off using detailing help from Ms. Byers. The whole truth wasn't explained, I was told. I wasn't actually told what was said and what wasn't. I don't even know if I want to know. All I know is, whatever was said worked. In my eyes, that's all that really matters, anyways.

Anyhoo, Jane's room in the basement now, really. We replaced the couch down there with a twin sized bed for her. Nancy not only gave her some of her old clothes, but she also took money out of her allowance to buy Jane a whole wardrobe full of dresses and skirts and frilly shirts of all sorts. I can tell how pretty it makes her feel, and it should make her feel that way. She always should feel that way.

As far as Nancy goes, we have yet again grown far from each other. I don't like it at all. I liked it when I could tell her things. Now, I do still tell her things, but she never lets me in on anything anymore. She says it's 'teenager stuff' and that I shouldn't worry about it, when the truth is, I'm constantly worried about it. She isn't around too much, either. She's either always with Steve or Jonathan...I never know which one. They all used to be close. You know, the three of them together. Lately, though, I never see Jonathan with Steve - only with Nancy.

My mom uses all of the time she has to homeschool Jane. That is, the time that Holly allows our mom to spend with her. My mom always tells me about how Jane is always so eager to learn. She learns things so quickly because she always wants to know new stuff about the world. Her vocabulary and reading level have both gone up so much already. I couldn't be more proud of her.

My mom says she'll probably be able to start school with me either the upcoming school year. Possibly the year after that, but I doubt that. Jane's too smart. She won't have to wait a whole other year.

Will has a girlfriend. You probably could guess who it is.

Jennifer.

They spend an awful lot of time with each other at school and even after school, sometimes. His family adores her, especially being Will has never liked a girl before. I'm happy for him.

Troy doesn't bother us anymore. It turns out, when he fell on the ground in pain while in contact with Eleven, his leg broke. Since then, he hasn't wanted to be mess with us.

Lucas and Dustin are both the same. I couldn't love them more. Dustin still encourages you when you're down and gives the best advice for any situation you could ever imagine. Lucas still is an extreme realist, but lightens any room with his comedic side.

Honestly, everything has gone right since Jane has come back, and yes, it is very hard to refer to her as Jane now, but she loves the name. Nothing weird has gone on and everything truly seems to be at peace, minus my relationship with my older sister.

"Dad! Is that really necessary?" I asked while he tightened the bow tie that was on my neck. "Now, son, you wouldn't want this falling off during the night, would you? You'll get used to it," he bargained. I mentally shrugged.

About Jane and I...well...we're great. Tonight, I finally get to fulfill another promise that I made to her. I'm taking her to the winter Snowball. Believe me when I say that neither my mom or my sister has shut up about it. At all. At this point, though, I don't even care. All I care about is Jane and how much fun tonight is going to be.

Will is bringing Jennifer, as well, and Lucas and Dustin are coming, too. Instead of finding dates, I suppose they would prefer to stalk Will and I all night to mock us and make kissing sounds whenever we do anything. Sometimes, I really could go without their company, especially tonight. I just want time with Jane, and preferably only Jane.

Once my dad was finished, I turned around so he could see my full attire. "Wow," I barely heard him whisper underneath his breath. "My son's first dance. With a girl! Karen!" My dad called up the stairs. I let my hand collide with my forehead, regretting ever asking for help with anything.

Faster than lightning, my mom came flying down the stairs. As soon as she saw me, her hands flew to her mouth and he eyes got watery. "Mom..." "Michael! You look so grown up," my mom gushed, interrupting my plea for her not to do exactly what she just did. "Doesn't he, honey?" My dad asked, agreeing with my mother. I bit my lip in attempt to hide how flattered I was.

"Thanks for your help, dad," I said before anymore compliments were made. "Oh, no problem, son," he said, patting my shoulder. "Where is Jane?" I asked, walking closer to the stairs. "Upstairs in Nancy's room getting dressed and whatnot, still. She'll be down soon, Mike! Don't get too excited," my mom said as she walked up the stairs, making my cheeks suddenly get hot

"How about you go and sit in the living room, Michael. Your friends should be here any-" and with that, we heard knocking at the door. "I'll get it, dad," I quickly offered. I walked to the front door to greet my friends. When I opened the door, Dustin, Lucas, Jennifer, Will, and Jonathan holding up the rear all came in. Echoes of 'Hey, Mike' and 'Hello, Mr. Wheeler' filled the room. I looked at Jonathan and noticed that he had his camera with him.

"Hey Mike, where's E-erm-Jane?" Lucas asked, almost mistakingly calling her Eleven. Not that I blame him. I have to correct myself all the time. As weird as it sounds, I think I'll always see her as 'Eleven.'

"Here!" I heard a bright, cheery voice call from behind me. When I turned around and saw Jane, my jaw instantly dropped open. I didn't even notice my mouth was open until Will walked up next to me and closed it for me, which set me back in my right mind and not 'la-la land' as my dad would call it. Jane looked flawless, not that that was anything new.

I could tell by her smile that she was happy with her appearance. She bowed her head down and began to wiggle her feet in her shoes. Before I could snap myself out of my gaze, I felt someone push me, causing me to stumble forward. I looked back and saw Will and Jennifer laughing, Lucas and Dustin acting too innocent, and Jonathan fumbling with his camera.

"Thanks, you two," I mumbled to my friends who are bad actors.

Before I could get any sort of response, I began to walk towards my Jane. Nancy, who was still behind her started to smirk at me. I wanted to glare at her, but my smile would not leave my face, not even if i wanted it to.

Once I was in front of her, I grabbed Jane's hand with my own. "You look so pretty, Jane," I complimented. "Thank you, Mike. You look . . . handsome. ." she responded, with a sort of questioning tone. She looked back at Nancy and Nancy nodded at her, letting her know she was correct.

"Come on down, you two. Let's go outside to get some pictures," Jonathan requested. We all smiled and complied, wanting pictures, ourselves.

"I'm so excited, Mike! This is going to be so fun," Jane said, squeezing my hand as we walked outside. She talks more and more every day, and I love hearing her voice. "I bet it will be. I've never been," I confessed. Jane looked at me wide-eyed. "Never?" "Never," I answered. "But I'm glad to be going to my first one with you," I finished saying, opening the front door for Jane to go out. I could notice from the light on the porch that Jane began to blush after my last remark, making me smile.

"Okay, Will and Jennifer, stand here. Mike and Jane, stand next to them. Lucas, Dustin, you can be on either side of those four," Jonathan instructed. "Talk about pro photographer, Jonathan," Will mumbled, making the rest of us laugh. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. Three- Two-!" Jonathan began counting down. "Smile," I whispered to Jane, noticing her confusion.

I watched Jane's confused expression turn into a smile, and that's when the camera flashed. That's how we took the picture, with Jane smiling at the camera and me smiling at Jane. Great. I'm excited for that teasing.

A few more pictures were shot of all of us, which gave me the opportunity to actually be able to face the camera.

"Hey, would you all mind moving aside for a few seconds? I'd like to get a few pictures of Will and Jennifer," Jonathan asked. We all moved aside and allowed the pictures to be taken of the two lovebirds. Jane was watching the whole time.

"Awe, they like each other very much," she said while clinging to my arm. I nodded as I quickly glanced over at the two. "They are very happy with each other, it seems like," I responded.

"Alright, we're done. Now are you all-" "Wait! Can Mike and I get pictures?" Jane asked. I bit my lip attempting to hide my smile. "Oh, yeah! Of course. Come over, you two," Jonathan offered.

Jane smiled as she pulled me away from the sidelines to go get our picture taken. Once we got in the proper place, I wrapped my arm around Jane's waist. She leaned up and wrapped her arms around my neck. Trying to hide my sudden nervousness at her actions, I smiled at the camera and waited for Jonathan to snap the pictures.

"Alright, gang. I think we're all ready to go!"

----------

"Name, please?"

"Dustin Henderson."

"Alright, head inside."

We were finally at the dance and I am more nervous than I feel like I should be. I know I should just be happy to have fun with Jane, but I just hope it doesn't get messed up some how.

"Name?"

"Will Byers and Jennifer Hayes."

"Head in! . . Name?"

"Lucas Sinclair."

"Alright, head inside. . Name?"

"Michael Wheeler...and this is Jane Hopper. She's homeschooled, but she lives here in Hawkins," I responded to a lady, probably a mother of a student here. She finally looked up from her sheet of names to look at who was in front of her. "Oh, hello! It's nice to see you here at Hawkins Middle School. Hopefully you can attend our schools in the future," she said with a warm smile. "I hope so, too," Jane said, smiling back.

"You two have fun! You can go ahead and enter," she allowed. I waved at her before leading Jane into the school and walking with her into our gym, where the dance was.

As we walked in, I immediately noticed Lucas getting punch and Dustin taking some of everything from the snack table. "Mike...I don't really want to be with them tonight," Jane admitted. I guess she noticed them, as well. "Why?" I asked her. Not that I wanted to spend time with them either, per se, I was just curious as to why she didn't want to.

Jane shrugged and looked at her black shoes that complemented her baby pink dress well. "I just want to spend time with you," Jane said without further explanation. "It's okay Jane, I understand. . I didn't really want to spend time with them either," I said, making the both of us laugh.

We intertwined our fingers as we began to walk forward into the gym. Before we got to a good area to stop, the music changed from fast pace and exciting to slower and relaxing. Possibly the first slow song of the night. I almost instantly recognized the song.

"Oh, Nancy loves this song. I think it's called Africa-" "Africa is in the Eastern Hemisphere," Jane chirped happily. I chuckled. "Yeah, that's right," I said looking around the room and watching all of the pairs come together and start to slow dance.

My lips curved into a bigger smile as I turned my attention back to Jane. "Jane Ives, will you do me the honor of dancing with me?" I asked Jane. She seemed to get a little anxious after I asked. "What's wrong?" I asked, growing concern. "I've never danced with anyone. I've never really danced at all," she said, fiddling with her fingers. "Well, that's okay. I'll teach you," I offered. I took ahold of her hand again and pulled her over to where the rest of the dancers were.

"Here, erm-" I said, taking both of her hands into my own hands. "Put your hands around my neck," I said, moving her hands up behind my neck. "I put my hands here," I said as I slowly moved my hands to her waist. "Now just, sway. Follow me," I said, slowly moving from side to side. Jane soon caught on and followed my lead.

"See, you're doing great," I said. She said nothing back, only smiled.

Seconds passed and Jane decided this was getting boring. She moved her hands from my neck to around me so she could move herself closer to me. We began swaying in more of a hug position than a slow dancing position.

"This is already so wonderful, Mike," Jane said with her head resting on my chest. "I feel that way, too," I said looking at her. "Thank you so much for this," she said. I was about to respond, but then I started to hear her sniffle. "Jane? Are you okay?" I asked, moving myself away from her so I could see her face. I saw a few tears fall down her face.

"I never thought I'd have a life this wonderful, Mike. I never thought I'd have a family and pretty clothes and. . .and hair! You've been so kind to me, Mike. You, your family, your friends, Hopper, and everyone else. I have a life now. I have happiness. I wouldn't have any of this if you didn't decide to help me when I was stuck in the rain in the woods when I had escaped from- from that awful place and-"

"Jane? Stop," I pleaded. She stopped her rant and took a deep breath. "You deserve all the happiness the world could ever give you," I said truthfully. "I'm happy that you're happy," I added on to that. "Thank you, Mike," Jane said in a hushed tone. I quickly glanced around the room to see if anyone was watching us before kissing her softly on her forehead. "You're welcome," I whispered back to her.

I heard the music fade out and a new song fade in. Africa ended and a new, fast paced song started playing once again.

"Hey, guys," Will said as he suddenly popped up next to Jane and I with Jennifer. "Oh, hi, Will," I greeted. "Hello, Will," Jane said waving at him. "Have you two been having fun?" Jane asked Jennifer. "Yeah, we've had lots of fun so far," Jennifer told Jane. "Hey, Jane, do you want to go meet my friends? You can hang out with us next year if you come to the school," Jennifer offered. Jane's eyes lit up and I could tell she was happy with her offer. Jane looked at me, mentally asking me if she could go. "Go ahead, I'll be getting a snack waiting for you, Jane," I said. "Cool! Thanks, Mike!" "Thanks, Mike," Jane and Jennifer both said.

"You want to go find Dustin and Lucas?" Will asked. I nodded in response. "Sure, but let me get some snacks first. I was serious about that. I'm starving," I said, making Will laugh. "Alright, I'll go with," he said.

On our way to the snack counter, I decided to start a conversation. "So, how're things with you and the Jen-Jen, huh? Did you two slow dance? Was there smooching?" I asked, making kissing sounds in his ear. "Ew," Will said, pushing my head away. "You're so weird," he said, rolling his eyes at me. "That may be, but you never denied-" "No, we weren't. . . smooching..." Will said, putting emphasis on the word.

"Well, how about you and Jane? Smooch smooooch," Will said, grabbing a plate from the snack counter. "Oh, funny stuff there, Will," I said sarcastically, grabbing a plate myself. I started to grab some cheese and crackers as the conversation continued. "We did not smooch, for your information," I said, leaving out when I kissed her head on purpose.

"What's going on over here?" I heard a voice say from behind me. Turning around, I saw Dustin and Lucas approaching. "Just getting some snacks. Jen and Jane are over by a group of friends," Will said turning around to get more snacks. "Well, I already ate but I would go for some more fruit salad," Dustin said.

We all went over to a table and started to eat our food. A conversation was going, but I wasn't paying attention to it. I know it seems weird, but I kept making sure Jane, from across the room was still keeping a smile on her face.

"Mike?" Lucas said, shaking my shoulder. "What? What was that for?" I asked. "We've been trying to get your attention for five minutes now," Lucas explained. "Oh. . .sorry," I said feeling a rush of heat find its way to my cheeks. "Oh, leave him alone. He's daydreaming about you-know-who," Dustin said. I rolled my eyes at my friends and looked back over at Jane.

She makes me happier than I could ever imagine.

----------

I finished showering and brushing my teeth. I went across the hall to say goodnight to my mother. Then, I went and said goodnight to my stubborn older sister. After that, I went downstairs quickly to say goodnight to my dad before returning upstairs to read a bedtime story to my baby sister Holly.

I was finally finished with all of the stuff I usually do at night before going to the basement to say goodnight to Jane.

"Hey, Jane, are you awake?" I asked as I made my way down the stairs. "Yes," her soft voice said, letting me know she was tired.

I walked forward to go sit on the edge of her bed. "I had a lot of fun today," I said. "Yes, me too. A lot of fun," Jane replied. She is so tired, she isn't even looking at me. Her eyes are closed. I heard her yawn, and that's when I knew there was no point in trying to start a conversation with her. I got up from her bed and walked over to where he head was resting. I leaned over and quickly kissed Jane's cheek. "Goodnight," I whispered in her ear.

I walked away from Jane's bed and sat in the middle of the staircase and waited.

And waited.

And waited.

And it only took about five minutes before it began.

Jane started moving around in bed. If you listened closely, you could hear her groaning.

"No..."

I heard Jane whisper, and that's when I decided to move off the staircase. I hurried down to Jane's bed and began to try and calm her down, like what I've had to do every night since she came back.

"Shhh, you're okay, Jane. I'm right here," I whispered as I carefully let my hand graze her cheek. She continued to stir and groan in her sleep. "No...please, stop..." she cried. Tears began to pour down her face and they wouldn't stop for a while. They continued to fall, just to let me wipe them away.

It's one of her wild nights.

I moved close to her and fully cupped her face in my hands. "Jane, Jane, you're okay. I am here. Nothing bad is here to hurt you," I whispered to her. "I've got you," I said a little louder.

Jane's arms seemed to levitate from her sides. Her hands moved up to grip my own arms that are extended toward her face. "M-Mike," Jane whispered. She wasn't awake.

"Yes, Jane, I'm here, and I'm never going to leave you," I said, like I say to her every night. A smile came across Jane's face and all tension in her arms turned into relaxation. Her hands and arms fell back to her sides

I gently rubbed the side of Jane's face with my thumb. "You'll be safe now," I said as I slowly moved my hands away from her face, trying to alarm her.

That was the last thing I said to her that night.

I stayed on the staircase for another ten minutes to make sure Jane's nightmare was over.

And it was.

I only wish I knew what was happening in her dreams, but she never tells me.

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A/N: I haven't updated this in a month. I hate myself, oh my God, but anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I am so sorry my updates are consistently slow. Honestly, I'm just terribly busy all the time. My family is the kind that always makes plans and doesn't get home until 10pm. I love you all so much! Thank you to all you loyal readers. You deserve an award, honest to God.

>> COMMENT YOUR FAVORITE SHIP!! I HAVE A PLOT IDEA THAT I WANT TO USE FOR A STORY, BUT I DO NOT WANT TO USE FILLIE CONSIDERING I ALREADY HAVE ONE!!! GIVE ME A SHIP TO USE!!! I'LL HAVE TO DECIDE WHO TO USE. . .WHO KNOWS, I MIGHT END UP USING FILLIE LMAO RIP.<<