𝐅𝐋𝐎𝐖𝐄𝐑𝐒 • Steve Harrington

Chapter 21

( Wednesday, March 13th 1985 )

"YOU'VE made some real progress," Principal Mueller told her, having just read her report. "This is the kind of behaviour colleges will be expecting when they enrol you."

Julie didn't feel gratified. But sitting in her principal's office for the fifth time that semester, she felt that she owed her the news, especially since it had been occupying her mind all day.

"I got in to Stanford," she stated flatly.

"Really?" Principal Mueller brightened. "That's incredible, Julie, and something definitely worth smiling about. You should be really proud of yourself."

Julie still couldn't bring herself to smile. "I'm just nervous."

Principal Mueller weaved her fingers together on the desk. "Is there any particular aspect of the transition that's distressing you?"

She didn't have to ponder on it. "Just moving on I think."

"Well, when I think about embarking on new chapters of my life, I never see it as moving on but more so adjusting to change. It's the process of adapting to the expected and the unexpected alike as it comes and goes."

"What if I didn't want to embark on a new chapter anymore?" Julie asked tentatively.

Principal Mueller searched the young girl's eyes, concern seeping through her. "Where is that coming from?"

"I've just been thinking about this a lot the last twenty-four hours."

"Well, don't you think it'd be a shame to see all of that progress you've made in and outside of your classes go to waste? And for what? Whatever it is you kids get up to these days and with whom?"

Julie felt immediately caught.

"Julie, the beauty of an opportunity like this is that it will show you that the world is so much bigger than Hawkins. I may just seem like an old bat with a big mouth and an attitude to you right now, but trust me when I tell you that that acceptance letter is the best thing that could have ever happened to you." Principal Mueller pauses, letting her words sink in. "Do not take it for granted."

Julie thought her words over for a long moment, her head hanging low from where she had sunk back in the chair slackly.

Principal Mueller waited.

"You're not old," Julie said flatly.

A faint laugh escaped her principal.

"Thank you. Now, you keep this up," she pointed to the report card laid flat on the desk between them, "and there is no stopping you once you graduate, and it will make all of us that care about you elated to sit back and watch."

And remarkably, Julie smiled.