It's been 6 whole months since I left Hawkins. It's been so miserable. Mike has been writing to me, but only once every couple of weeks. He just tells me about all his problems. He doesn't actually ask anything about me. And when I write back I just answer them all. Nothing about me once again.

I don't really have any friends. Just hang around on my own. But my parents said I could move back to Hawkins this week!

I lug my suitcase onto the plane. I haven't told anyone yet except Max of course because I'm going to stay at her place. I think I'm going to surprise Mike. I can't wait to wrap him up in a big hug. He's all I've been thinking about.

The hours drag by but suddenly i arrive at Hawkins. Max is waiting for me at the airport and we run up to eachother.

"Y/n!" She smiles hugging me tightly.

"I missed you soo much!!" I exclaimed.

"Same here."

I get back to Max's house and unpack my case. My room has barley changed; untouched.

"So when do you wanna meet up with everyone?" Max asks lingering in my doorway.

"Im thinking I surprise Mike first. I'll go round to his house. Wanna come?"

"Sure."

Me and Max walk to the Wheelers. It's like I've somehow memorised the route to his house even though it's been months.

We arrive at the doorway and I knock. We wait patiently. Mrs Wheeler answers.

"Oh hello girls. Are you looking for Mike?" She asks, her hair pinned up in rollers.

"Yeah we are actually." I reply.

"He's just in the basement with his girlfriend."

"What?!" I shout a little too loudly. Mrs Wheeler gives me a confused look and Max looks shocked also.

"Sorry Mrs Wheeler we will be just a moment." Max quickly ushers us out of the doorway.

"Okay I'll leave the door unlocked for if you want to come back?" Mrs Wheeler goes back inside.

"Who's his girlfriend?" I yell at Max.

"First of all, relax. Maybe she's just assuming they are dating. Second of all... Mike has been really distant from us all so I'm not sure.."

"Wow. I mean we were never together so I don't know why I'm making it such a big deal but he said he loved me! He literally did a whole date thing on the roof the night I had to leave! And now this??"

"I get you. Why don't we just go home. We can meet up with everyone else tomorrow. It's getting late."

Me and Max walked home in silence. I was stunned. So this is why he didn't write to me often. Because he found someone new. Replaced me. I lay in bed thinking about it basically all night.

"Morning!" Max grinned.

"Why are you so exited at this time of day?" I ask.

"Because.. I have a super fun idea."

"What??"

"Starcourt Mall just launched a new collection of clothing and I thought we could check it out!"

"Cool. Sounds fun."

We skate in line to the starcourt entrance.

"Boy I missed this!" The sign glowed just like it used too.

We walked inside and browsed some clothes for a while.. until almost like a repeat. We saw Will, Lucas and Mike.

Their jaws dropped at the sight of me. I do feel kind of bad for not meeting up with Will or Lucas..

"Y/n!" They all chorused and ran up to me.

Will embraces me in a warm hug.

"Hey guys.. so I came back." I smile trying to avoid eye contact with Mike.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Lucas asks.

"I was just waiting for the right moment."

"Well we are just grabbing some ice creams then heading back to Mike's." Will explains.

"Yeah if you wanna join us?" Mike awkwardly suggests.

"No. It's fine." I glare knowing Mike's secret.

"Are you sure?" Mike asks trying to comfort me.

"Yea I'm sure. I'd rather spend time with someone I can trust." I make things a bit too clear and quickly walk off.

"Wait y/n!" Mike quickly follows me. "What's up with you?"

"What's up with me?! What's up with you. You and your girlfriend."

"Oh cmon. Give me a break. You'd been gone for months.. I just..."

"Got bored of waiting. Yea I see Mike. You didn't love me at all. You just wanted someone to take your mind of Eleven."

"That's not true!"

"Then who's this 'girlfriend'."

"She's not my girlfriend."

"Who is it!!" I demand.

"Eleven..."