No stranger would it be...
written by Eleven
Eleven's short life has been messed up since day one. This Journal is for others to better understand the girl most refer to as "Weirdo" or "Freak". Some of her thoughts, memories, fears and her journey to hopefully being accepted one day.
Last Updated
05/31/21
Chapters
6
Reads
641
First Christmas
Chapter 5
Her First Christmas
Eleven never celebrated a single Holiday in her life. She had never heard about them before the end of November/Early December when she was finally free from the Lab in Hawkins. When she saw a few random colorful items for sale in the Grocery store she had stolen Eggos from. When she saw a few decorations in the Middle School before the climactic battle between her and her demons, for lack of a better term had clashed. It wasn't until her first week of School at Hogwarts that she finally started hearing the word "Christmas". It was strung along with the Yule Ball in one of the many conversations she couldn't help but overhear in the Great Hall. After all, no one at the Slytherin table ever seemed to notice the strange girl with a buzzcut to talk to her at the meals. And if they did notice her, they sure didn't acknowledge it. But that's not to say they were mean, she was just shy and hadn't put any effort forth to start a conversation. Because she didn't know how. In the thirteen years of her life prior to Hogwarts, she had never been allowed to speak up. Only reply and usually in one word answers.
It was all besides the point, what mattered was that she was almost Hypnotized the first time she had seen Christmas lights in Hogsmeade. Or the Fairy Lights adorning the enormous Christmas tree in the Great Hall. The tinsel, the glitter some students appeared to be tossing around, the garland. It was all so colorful. And for a child who had spent her whole life in a Grey/White room. It was something amazing. It didn't take long for her to comprehend the entire Gift-giving exchange that almost everyone she asked about the Holiday had answered. And the few student sthat had been nice and let her hang out with them, she had given presents early. She was touched when they gave her things back. If they had, she must have done the whole Christmas thing right! And that made her feel just a little more human and a little less like a science experiment.
The day of Christmas was a quiet one; as most of the students had gone home to visit their families. Still unsure about the entire event, she had borrowed a stack of books from the Library to try and figure out exactly what Christmas was. This was when her closest friend at school, Daiana whom was now her older sister; had snuck into her dorm and surprised her. The joy she felt just from seeing the older female made her feel important. "Merry Christmas!" Daiana said and smiled widely, as she handed a quite small box to the girl. Inside of it, there was a baby penguin. "I've waited for this day especially to give this to you! I hope you will like it!" At this point Eleven's eyes couldn't have gone wider. Already bad with words and rubbish at expressing most of her emotions, she almost started crying. This was now one of her few most precious memories. She remembered it all happened so fast.
"Daiana!" The surprised tone of her voice and how her expression changed from deep and thoughtful to a warm smile was instant. "Merry Christmas." She replied before looking at the box curiously. Peering down inside of it to see the tiny ball of fluff. For the first time on her life she had almost squealed. "It's... That's! Is that?!" She set the box aside carefully before springing up to hug her sister tight. Her sad thoughts and lonely feeling floating away as she was reminded that she had the best sister and friend anyone could ask for. "T-thank you so much." She sniffled. Her first Holiday had been a great one. But it hadn't ended yet. Playing with her precious hatchling; Oswald was the best. But she began to wonder if she should turn her bed to face the doorway. Because another person had snuck in. This time it was her savior; Mike Wheeler.
The twelve year old boy who fed her Eggos and kept her hidden in his basement for a few days. The boy she almost died for. The boy she loved. Mike had raised Mistletoe up above himself as he leaned towards Eleven, she was so very lost in thought that he could have actually scared her. "...Merry Christmas, El." He had spoke softly to draw her attention. As soon as she heard his voice, she felt happiness wash over her again. Looking up at him she smiled before letting her eyes drift towards the strange thing in his hand. What on earth was THAT? Before she could even attempt to question it, Mike had pecked her on the lips. His entire face turning beet red as he smiled at her. Checking only momentarily to see if she was upset. Without anymore time to waste he turned tail and ran. "I'll see you later El, we gotta go get my stuff." He called back flustered.
Her cheeks felt warm and she watched him scurry away. "...Merry Christmas, Mike.." She whispered before touching her lips.
...Maybe Christmas wasn't so bad after all.
Eleven never celebrated a single Holiday in her life. She had never heard about them before the end of November/Early December when she was finally free from the Lab in Hawkins. When she saw a few random colorful items for sale in the Grocery store she had stolen Eggos from. When she saw a few decorations in the Middle School before the climactic battle between her and her demons, for lack of a better term had clashed. It wasn't until her first week of School at Hogwarts that she finally started hearing the word "Christmas". It was strung along with the Yule Ball in one of the many conversations she couldn't help but overhear in the Great Hall. After all, no one at the Slytherin table ever seemed to notice the strange girl with a buzzcut to talk to her at the meals. And if they did notice her, they sure didn't acknowledge it. But that's not to say they were mean, she was just shy and hadn't put any effort forth to start a conversation. Because she didn't know how. In the thirteen years of her life prior to Hogwarts, she had never been allowed to speak up. Only reply and usually in one word answers.
It was all besides the point, what mattered was that she was almost Hypnotized the first time she had seen Christmas lights in Hogsmeade. Or the Fairy Lights adorning the enormous Christmas tree in the Great Hall. The tinsel, the glitter some students appeared to be tossing around, the garland. It was all so colorful. And for a child who had spent her whole life in a Grey/White room. It was something amazing. It didn't take long for her to comprehend the entire Gift-giving exchange that almost everyone she asked about the Holiday had answered. And the few student sthat had been nice and let her hang out with them, she had given presents early. She was touched when they gave her things back. If they had, she must have done the whole Christmas thing right! And that made her feel just a little more human and a little less like a science experiment.
The day of Christmas was a quiet one; as most of the students had gone home to visit their families. Still unsure about the entire event, she had borrowed a stack of books from the Library to try and figure out exactly what Christmas was. This was when her closest friend at school, Daiana whom was now her older sister; had snuck into her dorm and surprised her. The joy she felt just from seeing the older female made her feel important. "Merry Christmas!" Daiana said and smiled widely, as she handed a quite small box to the girl. Inside of it, there was a baby penguin. "I've waited for this day especially to give this to you! I hope you will like it!" At this point Eleven's eyes couldn't have gone wider. Already bad with words and rubbish at expressing most of her emotions, she almost started crying. This was now one of her few most precious memories. She remembered it all happened so fast.
"Daiana!" The surprised tone of her voice and how her expression changed from deep and thoughtful to a warm smile was instant. "Merry Christmas." She replied before looking at the box curiously. Peering down inside of it to see the tiny ball of fluff. For the first time on her life she had almost squealed. "It's... That's! Is that?!" She set the box aside carefully before springing up to hug her sister tight. Her sad thoughts and lonely feeling floating away as she was reminded that she had the best sister and friend anyone could ask for. "T-thank you so much." She sniffled. Her first Holiday had been a great one. But it hadn't ended yet. Playing with her precious hatchling; Oswald was the best. But she began to wonder if she should turn her bed to face the doorway. Because another person had snuck in. This time it was her savior; Mike Wheeler.
The twelve year old boy who fed her Eggos and kept her hidden in his basement for a few days. The boy she almost died for. The boy she loved. Mike had raised Mistletoe up above himself as he leaned towards Eleven, she was so very lost in thought that he could have actually scared her. "...Merry Christmas, El." He had spoke softly to draw her attention. As soon as she heard his voice, she felt happiness wash over her again. Looking up at him she smiled before letting her eyes drift towards the strange thing in his hand. What on earth was THAT? Before she could even attempt to question it, Mike had pecked her on the lips. His entire face turning beet red as he smiled at her. Checking only momentarily to see if she was upset. Without anymore time to waste he turned tail and ran. "I'll see you later El, we gotta go get my stuff." He called back flustered.
Her cheeks felt warm and she watched him scurry away. "...Merry Christmas, Mike.." She whispered before touching her lips.
...Maybe Christmas wasn't so bad after all.
