Hawkins, Indiana: 1984. Max Mayfield is struggling with her new life in this small town, and her new stepdad and stepbrother don't make it any easier. She eventually meets a small group of kids her age, although their "leader", Mike Wheeler, doesn't seem too fond of her. She decides to stick closer to Lucas and Dustin during school. After having to skate home from school one day, she goes to an abandoned house in the middle of the woods; she always goes there to clear her head. But then, she meets a mysterious, goth girl named Eleven who is seemingly in a gang. Not only does she realize this is the girl who Mike and Lucas have talked about, but she also realizes this girl has *powers.* She's completely amazed. She decides not to tell the rest of the Party about her discovery... Who knows what kind of adventures she and El could have?