Autumn transitioned into winter, with yellow leaves falling and a desolate autumn wind. From Hawkins' Lovers' Lake to Hawkins High School, the path was filled with vibrant life.
Eleven walked along, feeling that even the yellow leaves on the ground were heart-shaped.
Today was November 6, 1987. She wanted to go to Richard's house as usual to clean for him. She had grown accustomed to it; he had been out of contact for several years, and she had been doing this day after day for those years.
Richard will come back. Eleven thought so, Robin thought so, Hopper thought so... everyone believed it.
It was because of this belief that Eleven continued to clean Richard's haunted house, Steve and Robin consistently implemented Richard's plan to run the company, and Bob insisted on staying in town to develop software.
Everyone would temporarily leave for their endeavors, but they would always return to the town quickly.
They were all waiting for that person's return.
Eleven arrived at Bennys Burgers. Benny, as usual, handed her a bag of prepared burger dinner and smiled, "Today's patty is made with garden vegetables and some beef. I'm worried Hopper won't feed you well."
Eleven smiled as she took it, chatting familiarly with Benny, "I've given up hope on that old man's Culinary Arts. I wouldn't have grown so well these past few years without your food."
"Hahahaha, if Hopper can't feed you well, why don't you just become my daughter?" Benny laughed heartily, his eyes filled with relief. He had initially worried about Hopper's suddenly adopted daughter. Back then, Eleven was small and frail, and Hopper might not take good care of her. But now, Eleven had not only grown into a graceful young woman but also become much more optimistic and cheerful.
Benny folded his arms and said with some emotion, "I wonder where Chade went. If he saw you now, he'd be absolutely astonished."
"He just went out; he'll be back, that's what he said." Eleven said seriously. The box Richard left for everyone contained a letter stating that he would return to Hawkins Town one day. Eleven curved her lips, "He never breaks his promises, and he even said he'd cook for me!"
Even if it's from The Upside Down... Benny smiled without a word. Although he didn't know what had happened to Richard, he also felt that given Richard's character, he wouldn't lie.
Eleven took her dinner and arrived at the entrance of Richard's haunted house. She gently knocked, and the door opened from the inside.
She was used to the haunted house's rules: you had to knock before entering, otherwise the ill-tempered vengeful spirits would play tricks.
Eleven instinctively lowered her head and stepped into the house, but her forehead bumped against a warm and firm chest.
A man's feet in flip-flops came into view. Her cloth shoe's toe was between his feet, a familiar scent and build.
Eleven didn't even look up, immediately hugging the person in the room, crying tears of joy.
"You've grown taller," Richard said with a smile, gently stroking the girl's hair. "But don't hug for too long; everyone's watching, and two people are getting jealous."
Hearing this, Eleven stiffened all over. She secretly peeked and saw that everyone had already gathered at Richard's house, sitting around a lavish dining table, with warm lights strung everywhere.
"I'm not!" Mike shouted, pouting and grumbling sourly, "Eleven has to be my girlfriend for me to be qualified to be jealous... honestly."
Robin snorted, unable to hide her smile.
Eleven stuck out her tongue at everyone, made a face, but still blushed, shyly hiding behind Richard, and walked towards the group with him.
"When did you get back?" Eleven asked.
Richard: "Less than half an hour ago, I guess."
"How did you get all these people back from all over the world in half an hour?"
"...Well, people don't know what they can achieve until they push themselves."
"This isn't humanly possible."
"Sigh, I haven't been human for a long time..."
Eleven relaxed a lot, feeling that Richard hadn't changed at all. This made her instinctively loop her arm through his, just like before. "Are you leaving again this time? If you are, how long will you stay?"
"I..."
"No matter how long, there's one thing you absolutely must do." Robin, not waiting for Richard to finish, pulled him from Eleven's grasp, cupped his face with both hands, looking very angry.
Richard blinked innocently, "What do I need to do?"
"Go register for marriage with me!"