Full fledged sprinting, you race to the room with the phone, lock the door, and dial your best friends number faster than you can tie your shoes. It rings slowly, making you angry, but your mom pounding on the door calms your nerves. "Fuck, just answer," you shout, trying not to let your mother hear. "OPEN THIS GODDAMN DOOR!" she screeched.

"Hello?" Max says on the other side. But you dropped the phone after your mom crashed through the door. You fought for 3 hours with your mom.

"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!"

"Gladly," you turn around and start packing your things in your room. You only had one tiny suitcase and a backpack. You worked with what you had. You pack some Cheez-It's and walked out with your bags. Your mom was passed out drunk on the sofa. You grab a Sharpie and a piece of paper and write "don't look for me, i don't care.". You draw a mustache on her before leaving.

You walk to the neighbors and ask to borrow their phone, which, for once, they do so politely.

"Max?" you whisper into the phone.

"Are you ok?" she says back.

"She kicked me out," you answered, nearly crying.

"I spoke to my mom, she said you could stay here, if you could get to Hawkins."

"Fuck, that's far. I'll get the fastest flight from Texas to Indiana, ok?"

"Call me when you do."

"Thank you, Max."

"Anything for you, Ellie."

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ik this chapter is short, but it was setting the scene for the story. working on chapters since i have lots of free-time! i hope you like it.