𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝘃𝗲 / ❛ upside down ❜

[ episode four, the body ]

Lydia sat in her room, knees drawn up to her chin, feeling utterly numb. Her hair was adorned with two small bows on either side, a stark contrast to her oversized, cozy gray sweater and soft, worn jeans. Her room was dimly lit by the morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a somber glow over her surroundings. She leaned against the wall, staring blankly ahead, lost in grief over Alex.

As she sat there, her gaze wandered around her room, taking in the familiar yet comforting clutter. Her shelves were lined with a stack of classic rock vinyl records, each one a treasured possession she had collected over the years. The worn, colorful album covers brought back memories of when she and Alex would spend hours listening to music together.

Her sketchbook and journal sat on her desk, symbols of her creative escape. The sketchbook was filled with her intricate drawings and doodles, while the journal held her most private thoughts and feelings. Lydia had carried both with her everywhere, finding solace in the act of putting pen to paper.

Above her desk, a mirror was framed by an array of photos. Snapshots of her and her mother, Alex, and other friends from school captured moments of laughter and joy. Each picture was a reminder of the connections that anchored her, even in times of sorrow.

Books filled the small bookcase in the corner, their spines a rainbow of colors. Lydia loved to read, and the collection ranged from classic literature to contemporary novels, each one an escape into a different world. Nearby, her art supplies were neatly arranged—colored pencils, paints, brushes, and sketchpads, all ready for when inspiration struck.

The walls were adorned with posters of her favorite rock bands, their images a testament to her passion for music. The bold colors and striking designs added character to the room, making it a personal sanctuary.

A few puzzles, half-completed, lay on a small table near her bed, evidence of her love for solving them. And on her nightstand sat a delicate music box, its lid adorned with intricate carvings. She often wound it up to listen to the soft, soothing melody, a comfort on sleepless nights.

Despite the clutter, the room felt cozy and lived-in, a reflection of Lydia's multifaceted personality. She turned the heart charm on her bracelet between her fingers, trying to find comfort in its familiar presence.

Suddenly, the crackle of her walkie talkie broke the silence, startling her. She reached for it slowly, her movements sluggish, and held it close.

"Lydia, it's Mike. Can you come over? It's about Will and Alex," Mike's voice came through, filled with urgency and determination.

Lydia closed her eyes, the weight of her emotions pressing down on her. She didn't want to move, didn't want to face the world outside her room. She pressed the button on the walkie talkie, her voice barely above a whisper. "Mike, I can't. Not today. I'm sorry." She paused, her thumb hovering over the button. "Over and out."

She set the walkie talkie down beside her, turning it off before burying her face in her knees. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. She couldn't shake the overwhelming sadness that gripped her.

Minutes passed in silence, each one dragging longer than the last. She tried to lose herself in the patterns on the wallpaper, the faint sounds from the street outside, anything to distract from the ache in her chest.

A soft knock on the front door broke through her fog of grief. Lydia lifted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued despite her sorrow. She heard her mother's voice downstairs, followed by the creak of the door opening.

"Lydia?" her mother called gently from the bottom of the stairs. "Your friends are here."

Lydia's heart sank and soared simultaneously. She pushed herself up slowly, her legs feeling like lead as she made her way to the door of her room. She paused, taking a deep breath to steady herself before descending the stairs.

As she reached the bottom, she saw them standing in the hallway—Mike, Eleven, Lucas, and Dustin. Their expressions were a mix of concern and determination. Mike stepped forward, his eyes meeting hers with a plea she couldn't ignore.

"Lydia, we need you," he said softly. "We think we have a lead on Will and Alex."

She swallowed hard, her resolve wavering in the face of their collective determination. Despite her grief, she knew she couldn't turn away from them. They were her friends, and they needed her as much as she needed them.

Taking a deep breath, she nodded slowly. "Okay," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I'll come."

A small, reassuring smile spread across Mike's face, and the others visibly relaxed. Lydia stepped forward, feeling the weight of her grief still heavy on her shoulders but finding a glimmer of hope in their presence.

.・゜゜・・゜゜・

They sat in Lydia's room, forming a circle on the floor as Eleven fiddled with the walkie talkie. The device emitted small, eerie noises, reminiscent of faint whispers and fearful murmurs.

"We keep losing signal, but you heard it, right?" Mike asked, eyebrows raised in anticipation.

"Yeah, I heard a baby," Lucas responded, his eyes still heavy with exhaustion from the previous night.

"A baby?" Mike echoed in disbelief.

"Mike, you obviously tapped into a baby monitor. It's probably the Blackburns next door," Lucas explained.

"Did that sound like a baby to you? That was Will and Alex!" Mike insisted.

Lydia spoke softly, shaking her head. "Mike—"

"Lydia, you have to understand," he pleaded. "They spoke last night. They were talking to each other. Words. And they were singing that weird song they love. Even El heard."

Lydia glanced at Eleven, who was intently focusing on the walkie talkie, her fingers deftly adjusting the buttons.

"Well, if the weirdo heard him, then I guess—" Lucas started.

Dustin cut him off. "Are you sure you're on the right channel?"

"I don't think it's about that—I think, somehow, she's channeling him," Mike said with conviction.

Lucas stared at them, his expression tired and frustrated. "Like—like Professor X?" Dustin suggested, earning a smile from Mike.

"Are you actually believing this crap?" Lucas asked, pointing between Dustin and Mike.

Lydia's eyes flickered between them all. She reached for a pack of gummy bears behind her and popped one into her mouth.

"I don't know, I mean—do you remember when Will fell off his bike and broke his finger? He sounded a lot like that," she said thoughtfully.

"Did you guys not see what I saw? They pulled Will and Alex's bodies out of the water," Lucas said, his voice rising in frustration. "They're dead!"

Lydia flinched at the harsh words, taking another gummy bear. Mike noticed her reaction and placed a reassuring hand on her knee.

"Well, maybe it's their ghosts. Maybe they're haunting us," Dustin suggested.

"It's not their ghosts," Mike said firmly, his hand still on Lydia's knee.

"How do you know that?" Lucas challenged.

"I just do!"

"Then what was in that water?" Lucas demanded.

"I don't know! All I know is Will and Alex are alive. They are alive! They're out there somewhere, and all we have to do is find them," Mike declared.

The room fell silent as the boys looked down, processing Mike's words. Dustin reached over and grabbed a gummy bear from the pack in Lydia's hands. "Sorry, it was tempting," he said with a sheepish grin.

The walkie talkie screeched, prompting Mike to reach forward. "This isn't gonna work."

"We need a stronger radio," Lydia chimed in, her tone soft but resolute.

"Mr. Clarke's Heathkit ham shack," Dustin suggested with a smirk.

Mike chuckled, nodding in agreement. Lydia glanced at them, not entirely sure what they were talking about, but trusting it was a good idea.

"The Heathkit's at school. There's no way we're gonna get the weirdo in there without anyone noticing," Lucas pointed out, his eyes widening. "I mean, look at her."

All eyes darted towards Eleven, who looked around the room, her expression puzzled and innocent.

As the boys scoured Lydia's cluttered basement for wigs, Lydia settled Eleven onto her bed, determined to transform her appearance for the day ahead.

"Okay, El, let's get you looking school-ready," Lydia said gently, her voice a soothing melody in the dimly lit room.

Eleven nodded, her expression a mixture of curiosity and apprehension as she observed the array of makeup spread out before her.

Meanwhile, Mike, Lucas, and Dustin were in the basement, surrounded by piles of dresses and accessories, their excitement palpable as they delved into the task of finding disguises.

"Check out this one!" Dustin exclaimed, holding up a brightly colored scarf for inspection.

Lucas chuckled, shaking his head at his antics.

Back at the vanity, Lydia dipped a soft brush into a palette of blush, her movements gentle as she approached Eleven.

"This one makes your cheeks pink," Lydia explained, her tone soothing as she reached out to apply the makeup.

But as the brush touched Eleven's face, she flinched back instinctively, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Sorry, El, didn't mean to startle you," Lydia apologized with a chuckle, withdrawing the brush and offering a reassuring smile.

Eleven nodded, her expression softening as she tentatively leaned forward again, trusting Lydia to continue.

With each stroke of the brush, Lydia worked her magic, expertly applying makeup to enhance Eleven's natural features. Despite her minimal speech, Eleven's eyes sparkled with curiosity and gratitude as she observed Lydia's skillful handiwork.

As the boys continued their search for disguises, Lydia and Eleven remained ensconced in their own world, the soft hum of conversation and laughter filling the room as they bonded over the simple act of transformation.

Lucas, Dustin and Mike ran into the room with a blonde wig and a pink dress.

They stood outside the room, anticipation hanging thick in the air as Eleven emerged, adorned in the dress and wig. Her steps were tentative, betraying her uncertainty amidst this new guise.

Lydia's eyes lit up at the sight of Eleven's transformation, a radiant smile spreading across her face.

"Wow," Dustin exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.

"Pretty," Lydia interjected with a giggle, seizing Eleven's hand and leading her towards the hallway mirror, where Eleven gazed at her reflection in wonder.

"Pretty," Eleven echoed softly, her eyes wide with amazement as Lydia beamed at her.

The five of them proceeded into the school, backpacks slung over their shoulders except for Eleven's.

"Remember, if anyone sees us, look sad," Mike reminded them, his gaze flitting between his companions.

They made their way to the AV room, but Mike's attempts to open the door were futile as the handle stubbornly popped back up.

"It's locked," he sighed in frustration.

"What?" Lucas breathed, joining Mike in attempting to force the door open.

"Do you think you can open it with your powers?" Dustin asked eagerly, his excitement evident as he turned to Eleven.

"Boys," Mr. Clarke's voice interrupted, causing all five of them to startle. "Oh, Lydia. I didn't expect to see you all together. The assembly's about to start."

"We know, we're just upset," Lydia bit her lip, her gaze falling to the ground.

"Yeah, definitely upset," Dustin chimed in.

"We need some alone time," Lydia added, furrowing her eyebrows at Dustin's tone.

"Yeah, listen, I get it. I do. I know how hard this is, but let's just be there for Will and Alex, huh?" Mr. Clarke's words resonated with them all, prompting nods of agreement.

"And then," he continued, pulling out a set of keys and tossing them to Mike, "the heathkit is all yours for the rest of the day. What do you say?"

Their faces lit up with excitement as Mike caught the keys. "I don't believe we've met. What's your name?" Mr. Clarke turned his attention to Eleven.

"Eleven—" she muttered.

"Eleanor!" Mike interjected hastily. "She's my, uh..."

"Cousin!" Lucas suggested.

"Second cousin," Dustin added, holding up two fingers.

"She's here for the funeral," Mike clarified.

"Ah, well, welcome to Hawkins Middle, Eleanor. I wish you were here under better circumstances," Mr. Clarke remarked kindly.

"Thank you," Eleven nodded softly.

"Uh, where are you from exactly?" Mr. Clarke inquired.

"Bad place," Eleven shook her head.

"Sweden," Lydia interjected with a smile. "I have a lot of Swedish family."

"She hates it there," Dustin widened his eyes.

"Cold," Lucas nodded.

"Subzero."

Mr. Clarke gave them a quizzical look. "Shall we?" he prompted.

"Yep," Dustin replied quickly, leading the way to the gym with the others following close behind.

As they entered the gym, the doors emitted a loud creak, drawing some awkward glances. "Abort," Dustin whispered, but Lucas grabbed him and pushed him forward.

They found seats and settled in, Lydia situated between Lucas and Mike. Retrieving a pen from her jeans pocket, Lydia began to doodle on her forearm.

"Look at these fakers," Mike muttered under his breath.

"They probably didn't even know Will's name till today. Probably knew Alex though," Lucas speculated.

Lydia and Mike's attention shifted when they heard snickering from across the room. Turning, they saw Troy and James, mocking the speeches.

"Who is interested in this? This is so boring. Blah, blah, blah, blah. Oh, he was such a great student. Oh, he's gonna leave a hole in the community," Lydia felt a surge of anger grip her, clutching onto her pen tightly as she struggled to comprehend their callousness.

"Mouthbreather," Eleven muttered, prompting Mike to glance her way.

・゜゜・・゜゜・

word count : 2200

day published : 5/2/2025

・゜゜・・゜゜・