"we fall apart as it gets dark. i'm in your arms in central park. there's nothing you could do or say. i can't escape the way, i love you."

★・・・・・・★

It's been 3 months since the Mind Flayer was finally killed.

Amber got the news that her parents died too. She let five people die on her watch. Five too many.

She didn't have any family, no one wanted her. The Byers were moving, so Joyce offered to take her in.

It was the day they were cleaning out the Byers' now-old house. Lucas told Max and Amber about the singing duet Dustin did with Suzie, so they sing it around him just to purely annoy him.

"Turn around. Look at what you see. In her face. The mirror of your dreams. Rhymes that keep their secrets. Will unfold behind the clouds," they sang.

"Wait, did we get that verse right? It's 'unfold behind the clouds'?" Max asked.

"Yeah, but you're butchering it, so could you please stop?" Dustin said.

"So then join in Dusty-bun," Amber said as she blew air kisses.

"Yeah, come on, Dusty-bun, why don't you join us?" Max smiled.

"You guys are so funny, you should be on Carson," he sarcastically said.

"Can't we just hear your rendition?" Max asked.
"No."

"Please?" she begged. "Just one verse?"

"No. No way," he denied. "It's reserved for Suzie's ears and Suzie's ears alone."

"Turn around. Look at what you see. In her face. The mirror of your dreams," they continued to sing.

Amber started laughing and told Max that she needed to grab some things quickly.

"Hey, Mrs. Byers."

"Oh, hey, Amber," the older woman greeted her. "How are you?"

"I'm fine," she lightly smiled. "My leg is better. I've been having rough days and good days."

"Yeah, we've all been there," she smiled back. "Hey, Steve dropped something off earlier and told me to give it to you. I think it's from Kristen."

Amber just got hurt by the mention of her name. She looked surprised, considering that Kristen never left anything for her. Joyce handed Amber a note.

"I'll give you some time to read it," she said as she squeezed Amber's shoulder lightly.

Amber,

You might hate me for this, but I told mom and dad. About you and Max. They really didn't care. I know you want to tell them on your own, but they were pressing me. They kind of figured. But that's not why I'm writing this.

I'm writing this because I don't know what will happen. I could die tomorrow. Me, Robin, Steve, and Dustin found out about Russians here in Hawkins. Crazy, right? Insane. This is going all over the place.

Anyway, I love you. You're my sister. You've been asking me why I accept you for being gay. Okay, I didn't expect to come out this way. Me and Robin are dating. It's insane, I know. But we've been dating for a while. That's why I've always accepted you. You're loving who you love. Don't let anyone change that.

I love you,

Amber didn't expect this. She didn't expect this at all.

Kristen and Robin? She always thought they'd be awesome together, but she always thought that Kristen was straight.

Amber started crying. Crying because she knew she'd never see Kristen again. Or her parents. And it hurt.

She's only 14 and she's lost almost everyone she's ever cared about.

There was a knock on the door from Joyce.
"You okay?"

"Yeah," Amber said through sobs. "Time to go?"
"Yeah..."

"Okay. I'll be out in a minute."
"Okay."

Amber kissed the note, trying to keep herself together. She put it in her pocket, wiping her tears away.

She went outside, saying goodbye to her friends. Before she got to Max, she got to Lucas.

"I know it's been hard. Don't blame yourself though," he said.

"But I do," she said as she left her hands on his shoulders. "I always will."

Lucas hugged her tightly before letting go.

She finally got to Max and hugged her so tightly. She didn't want to leave Max. She loved her. And she needed to tell her.

"Make sure you call me everyday, okay?" Max started.
"Max-"

"And make sure your eat and drink water."
"Max-"

"And make sure you know that I-"

Amber cut her off by kissing her. She kissed her and didn't want to stop.

"Amber, I love you."
"I love you too, Max."

They kissed before Amber got in the car and left. Amber blew a kiss to Max and Max did the same. They were in love. And they both knew it.