chapter fifteen.
charlotte
☄️
disclaimer: I hope everything in Spanish is accurate!! I used Spanishdict like someone told me too !! Hopefully it's correct :)) but thank you to that person (I forgot their username, my bad)

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STRANGER THINGS 3
episode one

IT HAS BEEN SIX MONTHS. Six incredible months with Max have brought immense joy to Josefina. Despite her happiness, she's chosen to keep her relationship with Max a secret from her mom, Estefina, who believes they're just good friends. Josie locks her door when Max visits, their closeness evident, though they still make time for friends. Unlike Mike and El, Josefina's relationship with them hasn't been smooth.

Josie's speech has notably improved; she now communicates in complete sentences. Previously, she exclusively spoke Spanish with her mom, Estefina, but she's bridging the language gap with her friends and becoming more fluent in English. Her understanding of her friends has deepened, reflecting her growing language skills.

This spring, Josie excelled in softball, ultimately securing victory for her team. Max, Dustin, and Will were dedicated spectators, attending every game. While she invited Lucas and Mike, Lucas stuck to Mike like a lost puppy. Josie hoped they'd be there for her season's final game and championship, but their absence left her genuinely upset.

Josie, fueled by frustration, confronted Mike on his porch, unleashing her anger in Spanish. In response, he declared her no longer part of the party, fed up with what he considered her "annoying" behavior. This left Josie seething with anger, prompting her to initiate the silent treatment that persisted from that day forward.

Despite the fallout with Mike, Josie continued to spend time with Max, Dustin, and Will. Her frustration with Lucas stemmed from his constant attachment to Mike, resembling a little puppy. Additionally, there was tension with El, as Josie sensed unwarranted insecurity, fearing El thought she might try to steal Mike away from her.

Max's disdain for Mike, fueled by his actions, is evident as Josie often gives him the stank eye and engages in frequent arguments. However, amidst the drama, Josie is thrilled about Charlotte's impending visit to Hawkins. It's been a year since they last met, and the anticipation of reuniting has filled Josie with happiness.

Max and Josie found comfort snuggled up in bed, each immersed in their own literary worlds. The room was filled with the tranquil sounds of turning pages and occasional sighs of contentment. Josie delved into a romance novel, while Max was captivated by a sci-fi thriller, creating a serene atmosphere of shared solitude.

The door burst open, and Estefina, Josie's mom, entered with purpose. "Come on, you two," she urged briskly, motioning for them to get ready. "We need to leave if we're going to make it to the movie on time." Her hand waved them into action before she closed the door behind her, leaving Josie and Max to quickly gather their belongings for the outing.

Josie emitted a dramatic groan, her protest muffled as she buried her head under the cozy covers. "Do we really have to?" she whined, peeking out to meet Max's gaze with pleading eyes. Max, in response, sported a playful grin and leaned in, delivering a swift kiss to Josie's forehead. "Come on, lazybones," Max teased, nudging her gently. "Time to rise and shine." Josie sighed, torn between reluctance and a subtle smile, as the prospect of the outing started to outweigh the comfort of her bed.

With a theatrical sigh, Josie finally surrendered, sitting up and swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. Max, ever affectionate, rose as well, enveloping Josie from behind with her arms. She nuzzled Josie's neck, peppering her face with sweet kisses.

Josie's laughter bubbled up as she tried to wriggle free, but Max's arms held her securely. "You're so cute when you're grumpy," Max playfully complimented, concluding the words with a lingering kiss.

Their lips met in a passionate embrace, a dance of affection that made Josie feel like she was soaring on cloud nine. The taste of Max's lips, reminiscent of strawberries, was an exquisite delight that Josie savored with every kiss. It was a flavor that held a special place in her heart, just like the one she shared with Max in that tender moment.

Josie's touch was a delicate caress as she cupped Max's face in her hands, fingers exploring the canvas of her skin with a gentle grace. Max, entranced, felt a delightful flutter in her stomach, relishing every nuance of Josie's tactile affection. The kiss deepened, and as their lips met, Josie's hand gracefully descended, finding its place on Max's cheek, providing a steadying anchor.

Max reciprocated by enveloping Josie in a warm embrace, her arms encircling Josie's waist, pulling her closer. The air seemed charged with an intimate energy as they became lost in the exquisite dance of their shared connection. Their lips spoke a language of passion, weaving a silent narrative that echoed the depth of their emotions in that stolen moment of togetherness.

Josie's thumb traced the delicate curve of Max's jaw, creating a tender connection as they kissed. Max released a soft sigh, overwhelmed by the sensation of being completely and utterly in love. In Josie's mind, a subtle focus on the door engaged her telekinesis, securing their privacy.

As the kiss unfolded, Max walked backward, the two seamlessly retreating onto the bed. Caught up in the intensity of the moment, their kisses deepened into a passionate exchange. Josie, now on top, held Max's face, adding an extra layer of intimacy to their embrace.

Max's lips pressed fervently against Josie's, a sense of urgency heightening the intensity of their kisses. Max's hands moved with purpose, sliding down to Josie's hips, pulling her in closer. The connection between them deepened with each passing moment.

Josie, equally immersed in the passionate exchange, allowed her lips to wander. They traced a deliberate path down Max's jawline, descending to the sensitive expanse of her neck. Each kiss on Max's neck elicited a chuckle, a sweet interlude of shared laughter amidst the heated intimacy.

However, Max, with a playful tone, interrupted the passionate moment, recognizing the need to pull away. "Okay, Josie, I think we gotta go," she declared, injecting a sense of lightheartedness into the charged atmosphere.

Josie, with a mischievous grin, halted their intimate moment, playfully flipping over. "Okay!" she exclaimed with a beaming grin, embracing the change in direction with an infectious enthusiasm.

THEY WAITED FOR MIKE. Josie's anticipation for the Day of the Dead had reached its peak, and she couldn't contain her impatience. Rocking back and forth on her heels, she scanned the surroundings until finally spotting Mike approaching on his bike. As he parked, a small group formed, consisting of Lucas, Will, Max, and the silent Josie.

Lucas, hands on his hips, fixed Mike with a knowing look as he delivered the verdict, "You're late." Mike, letting out a sigh, dismounted from his bike and offered a casual apology. "Sorry," he shrugged, attempting to downplay his delayed arrival.

Will joined in, frustration evident in his tone. "Again."

Max chimed in, a note of concern in her voice, "We're going to miss the opening," offering a warning to Mike. She held Josie's hand, their arms swinging back and forth in a shared gesture of unity. Josie, finding solace in Max's presence, leaned her head on Max's shoulder for a brief, comforting moment amid the brewing tension.

Mike, responding with annoyance, shot them a look. "Yeah, if you keep whining about it. Let's go!"

Lucas, mocking him, repeated in a taunting manner, "Yeah, if you keep whining about it, ny-nye-nyuh," adding a playful jab.

Mike, unimpressed, nudged Lucas. "Just stop talking, dude," he sighed out with an eye roll, attempting to diffuse the banter.

Lucas persisted, adopting a teasing tone. "Let me guess. You were busy," he smacked his lips together, playfully poking fun at Mike and El's penchant for making out.

Mike, rolling his eyes, sighed in response. "Oh, yeah, real mature, Lucas," he retorted, his face blushing with a tinge of embarrassment at the jest.

As the group made their way toward the mall's entrance doors, Lucas couldn't resist taking another jab. "Oh, El, I wish we could make out forever and never hang out with any of our friends," he mocked, adding a playful high tone to his impersonation, eliciting a mixture of amusement and eye-rolls from the group.

Max couldn't help but laugh. "Lucas, stop," she exclaimed, playfully smacking his arm, while Will and Max chuckled along. Lucas defended himself, "Will and Jo think it's funny," he pointed out. Max raised an eyebrow, giving them a mom look. "But it is," Will and Josie chimed in unison, confirming their amusement.

"Yeah, it's so funny that I want to spend romantic time with my girlfriend," Lucas retorted with sarcasm. Max, in response, slithered her arm around Josie's neck. "I'm spending romantic time with my girlfriend," she commented, sealing the statement with a kiss against Josie's cheek, asserting the importance of their moment amidst the banter.

Despite societal conservatism against same-sex relationships, Josie and Max remained unfazed. Josie felt the warmth of Max's hand in hers as they stepped onto the escalator, squeezing it tight. In that simple gesture, they found comfort and a sense of camaraderie, a silent affirmation that they were in this together, navigating the world as a united front.

Descending on the escalator, Josie looked up to find Mike, Lucas, and Will ahead, navigating through the bustling crowd. The trio moved swiftly, and Josie could feel her heart racing as she attempted to keep pace, the energetic atmosphere of the mall amplifying the thrill of the chase.

"Come on," Josie urged Max, giving her a gentle nudge and pulling her along. "We can't lose them," she mumbled, determined to keep up with the trio ahead in the lively mall environment.

Max's nod signaled her readiness as her eyes remained fixed on the trio ahead. As the escalator brought them closer to the bottom, Josie discerned the trio's trajectory towards the exit.

"Let's go!" Josie's shout initiated their sprint.

Together, they surged down the escalator, their steps synchronized. People blurred as they navigated through the bustling crowd, Josie's heart racing in her chest. The thrill of pursuit heightened as they closed the gap, the rhythmic sound of their footsteps blending with the hum of the mall. Josie's senses sharpened, and the shared pursuit forged a connection between her and Max, their breaths syncing in the exhilarating chase.

They pressed on, the anticipation of catching up fueling their determined sprint. The crowd loomed just ahead, with Mike, Lucas, and Will disappearing into the sea of people.

"Come on!" Josie's shout served as both encouragement and a rallying cry, pulling Max along in their shared pursuit.

As they approached, Mike and Lucas accidentally collided with two girls. "Watch it, nerds," the girl spat, drawing an eye-roll from Josie. Unfazed, Josie shot a retaliatory glare over her shoulder, narrowing her head slightly.

The girl, caught off guard, let out a squeal and tripped over her own feet, landing flat on her face. Josie's swift, nonchalant retaliation left the girl temporarily defeated, creating a momentary pause in the chase before Josie and Max continued their determined pursuit through the crowd.

Josie gasped softly, realizing she had repeated a move she used back at Halloween with Stacey. Max noticed Josie was no longer by her side and swiftly located her frozen in place. Sprinting over, Max placed a reassuring hand on Josie's shoulder.

"Come on, Josie," Max encouraged with a nod, her gaze shifting between Josie and the girl who had gotten up unharmed.

Josie snapped out of it, realizing the girl was fine. "Okay," she nodded, the momentary hesitation dissipating as they resumed their chase through the crowd.

THAT WAS A LONG NIGHT. Despite a brief power outage during the movie, they managed to enjoy it. The lights returned, and Josie found herself pleasantly surprised by the film, though her anticipation for the upcoming release of "Back to the Future" outweighed her current excitement. However, the prospect that truly lit up her enthusiasm was the anticipation of Charlotte's arrival.

Josie stood in the bustling terminal of Hawkins Airport, her heart racing with anticipation. Surrounded by crowds of people rushing to their destinations, she felt a pang of anxiety. Amidst the hustle and bustle, she eagerly awaited her best friend Charlotte, who was returning to Hawkins after moving away a year ago. The anticipation and the prospect of reuniting with her missed friend heightened Josie's excitement as she couldn't wait to see Charlotte again.

"Josie, cálmate," her mom, Estefina, said soothingly, placing a reassuring hand on her daughter's shoulder amidst the bustling airport terminal. "Charlotte estaremos aquí pronto," she continued, her tone gentle. "No quieres desmayarte antes de verla, ¿verdad?" Estefina added a lighthearted touch, injecting humor to alleviate Josie's nervousness as they awaited Charlotte's arrival.

TRANSLATION; josie, calm down,
will be here soon. you don't want to faint before you even see her, do you?

Josie took a deep breath, attempting to steady herself. Despite her mom's reassurance, nerves still gripped her tightly. "I'm sorry, Mom," Josie exclaimed, "La extraño mucho." Rocking on her heels, she expressed how much she missed her friend, the anticipation and emotions swirling within her as she waited for Charlotte's arrival.

TRANSLATION; i just miss her so much.

"Lo sé, cariño, pero ella viene ahora, y estará aquí en cualquier momento. Solo respira hondo y trata de relajarte," Estefina reassured her daughter, offering a comforting smile.

TRANSLATION; i know, honey, but she's coming now, and she'll be here any minute. just take a deep breath and try to relax.

Josie, heeding her mom's advice, nodded and took another deep breath, trying to calm the swirling nerves within her. Her gaze swept across the bustling airport terminal, a sea of faces, in search of the familiar features of her long-missed friend, Charlotte. The anticipation was palpable, her heart thudding in her chest, the excitement almost overwhelming.

Then, in a moment that felt like the world stood still, she saw her. Charlotte emerged through the airport gates, her short brunette hair glinting in the bright light. Time seemed to pause for a heartbeat as joy surged within Josie. With an unrestrained smile, Josie couldn't contain her excitement any longer. She ran towards Charlotte, the happiness of their reunion eclipsing the nervous tension that had gripped her just moments before.

"Charlotte!" Josie cried out, unable to contain her excitement, and threw her arms around her friend. Charlotte responded in kind, embracing her tightly. The two girls held onto each other for a long, cherished moment, the joy of their reunion palpable in their shared embrace.

"Te extrañé tanto," Josie whispered, tears of happiness streaming down her face. Charlotte, understanding both languages, revealing that she had been practicing the language for a whole year, eager to communicate with American folks – her words, not Josie's.

TRANSLATION; i missed you so much,

"I missed you too," Charlotte replied, her smile breaking through tears, a reflection of the deep emotions shared in that moment. "I can't believe we're finally together again," she sighed, her English proficient and expressing the magnitude of their reunion.

As the hug continued, Josie found solace in the familiarity of Charlotte's presence. Inhaling her friend's scent, absorbing the warmth of her embrace, everything else seemed to melt away. For that moment, it was just the two of them, the echoes of their laughter and shared memories rekindling.

When they finally pulled away from each other, both still smiling through their tears, the joy of their reunion radiated in their eyes. The shared history and the promise of catching up on lost time hung in the air as they basked in the warmth of being together again.

"Let's go to Hawkins Park," Charlotte suggested, linking her arm through Josie's. "I have so much to tell you," she added with a wink, sparking a hint of suspicion in Josie's gaze.

As they strolled through the airport together, Josie felt a sense of lightness and joy that had been absent for months. The gratitude for having her friend by her side overwhelmed her, and the prospect of catching up on each other's lives filled the air with excitement and anticipation.

THEY WENT TO HAWKINS PARK and Charlotte opened up to Josie, sharing the intricate details of her experiences. Originally, her cousin was supposed to join her, but drug-related issues led to her cousin's exclusion from the trip, much to the frustration of Charlotte's aunt. The lab, where she had been working, faced turmoil before its eventual shutdown. The disappearance of Dr. Russo's replacement triggered the decision to close operations.

Amidst these challenges, Charlotte disclosed a new facet of her abilities—teleportation. Despite her snow manipulation skills, this newfound power posed a struggle. Charlotte admitted to grappling with the understanding and control of teleportation.

Josie's mom dropped them off near the field, and they walked up the hill, spotting Max and Dustin. "Hey, guys! Where's Mike, El, Lucas, and Will?" Josie asked, her excitement evident in her frowning eyebrows. She looked forward to the moment when they could all meet Charlotte.

Dustin launched into the tale with animated energy, recounting, "We all came to talk to my friend Suzie from camp, but they didn't believe she existed because I said she was hotter than Phoebe Cates." His eyes sparkled with mischief as he continued, "Mike and El went off to suck face, Lucas got bored and headed home, Will had a curfew, and Max decided to stick around. She believed me, and she wanted to meet Charlotte."

His expressive storytelling conveyed the humorous dynamics and quirks of their friends, making Josie chuckle at the vivid scenes Dustin painted with his words.

Josie's lips curled into a frown as she expressed, "Oh... I really wished they had stayed. Except for Mike and El, they don't deserve to meet Charlotte," her protective sentiment evident. Slithering her arm around Charlotte, she added with a smile, "Hi!" Charlotte giggled in response, offering a small wave to Max and Dustin, the warmth of her greeting bridging the gap left by the absent friends.

Dustin's eyebrows raised as he stared at Charlotte with an odd look, taking in her features. Her shoulder-length brown hair, brown eyes, and light sun-kissed skin were evident, and it became clear she was a bit sunburned or sunkissed. His lips parted in shock as he couldn't help but acknowledge that she was, indeed, hotter than Phoebe Cates and Suzie combined. Intrigued, Dustin felt a growing curiosity, eager to get to know Charlotte more.

Charlotte returned the gaze, attentively taking in Dustin's features. His brown and curly hair, striking blue eyes, and a cute smile caught her attention. The exchange of glances hinted at an unspoken curiosity and interest between the two, setting the stage for potential connections to unfold.

Max and Josie exchanged a knowing look before Josie continued, "Dustin, Max, this is Charlotte..." Her voice trailed off as Charlotte snapped out of her trance, offering a warm smile. She turned to Max and extended her hand. "Hi!" Charlotte greeted, introducing herself to the group with a friendly enthusiasm.

Max shook Charlotte's hand and warmly expressed, "It's so nice to meet you. Josie talks about you a lot! I've been excited to meet you." Charlotte chuckled, reassuring Max by saying, "She's my best friend, nothing else. You have nothing to worry about. We only kissed once, but we were twelve and wanted our first kiss!" Her lighthearted ramble brought a sense of ease and camaraderie to the conversation.

Max raised an eyebrow, a slight hint of concern creeping in. Josie, sensing the shift, exchanged a knowing look with Charlotte. "Uh... okay," Max responded awkwardly as Charlotte clicked her tongue. "Yeah... I'm gonna go talk to Dustin," she added, a hint of nervousness in her tone. Skipping over to him, Charlotte sat down beside Dustin and began asking him about Suzie, diverting the conversation and lightening the mood.

Max looked at the Cortez girl with a hint of concern. "Should I be worried?" she breathed out. Josie shook her head, explaining, "No, when she's nervous, she rambles. I think she regrets saying that. And she's right, nothing to worry about. You're my girlfriend, and I have no romantic feelings for her." Josie reassured Max, who nodded, relaxing her shoulders in relief, reassured by Josie's words.

MAX AND JOSIE STARED AT THE NIGHT SKY. Max and Josie lay on the grass, gazing up at the clear night sky adorned with brightly shining stars. Josie pointed to a constellation and said, "Look at that! That's Ursa Major, also known as the Big Dipper." They enjoyed the serene beauty of the night, finding comfort in the simple pleasure of stargazing together.

Max looked up, captivated by the constellation. "Wow, I... never noticed that before. It's beautiful," she remarked with a smile. The night sky, adorned with stars, revealed a new beauty that Max hadn't paid much attention to before. The moment allowed them to appreciate the often overlooked wonders of the night sky together.

Josie smiled, "I love astronomy. I don't think I ever told you... I have this book in my room all about astrology. It's so fascinating to learn about the different constellations and what they represent." She shared her passion for the subject, opening a door to the vast and enchanting world of stars, constellations, and their stories.

Max gasped, "Yeah! You never told me. You shouldn't hide something like this from me, Josie. That's a cool hobby!" she exclaimed, expressing her excitement. Josie chuckled in response, "But yeah, it's amazing how much there is to learn about the stars. I wish I knew more about it," Max added with a nod.

Josie turned to her, "I can teach you! I know a lot about the different constellations and what they mean," she suggested. Max's eyebrows raised, and she exclaimed, "That'd be cool, Josie!" with a bright smile.

Josie sat up, her finger tracing celestial patterns in the night sky. "See that one over there? That's Sirius, the brightest star in the sky," she explained, her voice filled with enthusiasm. Her gaze then shifted to another point in the sky. "And that one over there is Vega, which is part of the Lyra constellation."

Max, captivated by Josie's knowledge, listened intently as she delved into the stories behind each star. The night unfolded with a shared exploration of constellations, myths, and their historical significance.

They discussed how ancient civilizations used the stars for navigation, weaving tales that connected the dots in the vast canvas above. The beauty of the stars became a backdrop for their shared discovery and a testament to the rich tapestry of human imagination.

Josie glanced at Max with a soft gaze. "It's amazing how much the stars have influenced our culture. They've been a source of inspiration for artists, writers, and musicians for centuries."

Max nodded in agreement. "It's true. The stars are a reminder of how small we are in the grand scheme of things. They make us realize that there's so much more out there than just our little world," she remarked, her words echoing a shared sense of awe and humility in the face of the vast universe above.

Josie smiled. "exactly! thr stars remind us of the beauty and mystery of the universe. it's something that we can all appreciate, no matter who we are or where we come from."

Max and Josie lay on the grass, looking up at the stars, lost in thought. They felt a profound sense of peace and wonder, recognizing that they were part of something much bigger than themselves.

IT WAS GETTING LATE. It was at least twelve am. Josie yawned, lifting her head up from Max's chest. They both fell asleep cuddling. Glancing over at Charlotte and Dustin, she noticed they were still engrossed in conversation, sharing moments of connection and friendship beneath the starlit sky.

Josie let out a soft whistle, catching Charlotte's attention. "Charlotte," she whispered, motioning for her to join. Charlotte turned her head, meeting Josie's gaze, and Josie waved her over. Meanwhile, Max, still asleep, kept her arm around Josie's waist.

"Yeah?" Charlotte whispered back, her curiosity piqued as she approached Josie, creating a small circle of shared whispers beneath the midnight sky.

"It's late. Let's go home. Max is staying over too," Josie informed Charlotte. Charlotte bit down on her lip, contemplating. "Is it okay if I stay with Dustin for the night?" she questioned, seeking Josie's approval for her decision.

Josie furrowed her eyebrows. "Really?" she gasped in surprise.

Charlotte nodded, prompting Josie to sigh loudly. "You just got here, Char! I haven't seen you in a whole year," she whispered-yelled, expressing her disappointment at the prospect of Charlotte spending the night elsewhere.

Charlotte gave Josie a pleading look. "Please? He has the cutest smile ever," she pleaded, appealing to Josie's sense of humor and compassion.

Josie stared at her, contemplating the request. This wasn't the first time Charlotte had pulled something like this. She exhaled. "Okay, fine. Just call my mom to let her know, okay?"

Charlotte cracked a grin. "Of course!" she giggled, expressing her gratitude. She walked back over to Dustin, sharing the news with him as Josie watched with a mix of amusement and understanding.

Josie rolled her eyes, her thoughts reflecting a mix of amusement and bemusement. "She just got here, and she's already fawning over a boy? She's my best friend, but she'd rather dote over some guy," she pondered to herself, finding a mix of humor and exasperation in Charlotte's antics.

She nudged Max. "Whattttt," Max slurred, fluttering her eyes open, clearly half-asleep and tired. "Come on, Maxy. It's late," Josie told her, and Max groaned, "Carry me," puckering her lips.

Josie rolled her eyes, then moved her arms under Max and held her close as she stood up. "Move to my back," she instructed.

Max climbed onto her back. "See ya, Dustin and Charlotte!" Josie called out, managing the sleepy Max on her back as they prepared to leave.

—
ash speaks!

sorry for the long awaited chapter!!
i'm in a writers funk and been writing this chapter for a few days!
i changed my username back:)