If you're like me, then you started looking forward to the release of season 3 the minute the last episode of season 2 ended. And if you're even more like me, then you've spent the past several months hypothesizing what could happen in season 3.

Here are some confirmed facts and predictions for what the Duffers have in store for us this time around.

1. It'll take place a year (or so) after Season 2.

With the actors growing up so quickly, this season will definitely follow their pattern and have a time jump. And by definitely I mean it's been confirmed. The show consistently taking place in the fall adds to the horror aspect of it, but it'd be nice to see it take place at a different time.

A huge pet peeve of mine for shows in general is that the Big Awful Thing occuring in the finale always takes place...in...May. Ish. I don't want to see that happen with "Stranger Things" where the characters just so happen to have an adventure and encounter with the Upside Down exclusively in the fall.

2. It'll consist of 8 or 9 episodes released probably in the first several months of 2019.

The Duffer brothers have said they won't be increasing the episode count, and with how long it takes to write, film, and edit a season, we can't realistically be expecting it any time soon.

3. Will won't be the main focus for a third round.

Thankfully the boy is being given a break. While he'll still be dealing with the trauma from the past two seasons, he won't be the one missing or possessed.

4. Lumax/Mucas will be broken up while Mileven will stay strong.

While Lucas and Max shared a dance and a kiss at the end of last season, relationships at that age hardly last beyond two weeks, according to the Duffers, so we can't very well expect them to be the exception. Mike and Eleven/Jane, however, will be. Since they're older and presumably in high school or about to enter high school in season 3, we can expect a more mature side of Mileven's relationship. In which case, we'll definitely see some more Protective Dad!Hopper.

5. Eleven will be out in the real world and going by "Jane Hopper."

The end of season 2 saw Dr. Owens providing Hopper with a birth certificate for one Jane Hopper. Dr. Owens told Hopper to wait about a year before letting her out into the world, which would be around the time season 3 starts. Undoubtedly, she's found a way to be with her friends in the meantime, and I'm sure we'll find out that Hopper has been homeschooling her to prepare her for high school.

6. Steve and Dustin's friendship will be more established.

While season 2 showed a more light-hearted side of this unexpected connection, season 3 could potentially explore a deeper side. Matarazzo has pointed out in an interview with Glamour that Dustin's dad isn't around, so he needs an older male figure in his life. At this point, they've been friends for a year and they could be "more like brothers" this time around.

7. More exploration of characters.

The Duffers have said that there's "something almost weirdly more intimate" about this season. Last time we got to see Dustin and Lucas's families for the first time, but I think this season will be way more than that. I'm expecting it to be a little less plot-driven and more character-driven.

8. The return of Kali.

Things ended pretty poorly between Kali and Jane during the controversial "Lost Sister" episode, but it's not the last we've seen of her. Kali was clearly affected by Jane leaving, but whether that means she'll team up with her and fight whatever force of evil season 3 features or be the new baddie is unclear.

9. Meeting Eleven's other siblings.

When Eleven was looking for Kali, we saw a file filled with Missing Persons posters of children of all ages. A prominent one was of a little boy. Since they introduced Kali to us last season—a character kidnapped in London, hinting at the expansive influence Hawkins Lab has around the world—we can be confident we'll be meeting more powered individuals.

An Avengers-like team-up would be great, but I'm sure multiple characters will have similar stories to Kali and either be getting revenge or still working for Hawkins Lab.

10. More Erica.

She's been bumped from guest star to recurring star this season, and I personally couldn't be more thrilled.

11. New characters.

The Hashtag Show has revealed three character names (which could change) and descriptions they got from a source:

• “Mayor Larry Kline.” Described as a classic, '80s style slick politician, “Kline” is described as pathetic and driven only by his own interests. The studio is looking for a male, 40s-60s, to fill the role.
• “Bruce.” A morally compromised news reporter in his 50s, “Bruce” was described as outwardly sexist, overweight and bedraggled.
• “Patricia Brown.” “Patricia” seems to be filling the role of the sweet, neighborhood elder. The studio is looking for a woman in her 70s for the role which will see her spending a lot of time tending to her garden and offering her advice to the neighborhood kids.

While I'm not sure I trust this source, there will definitely be at least one new character. Maya Thurman-Hawke has been confirmed by the Netflix Twitter account to be playing Robin, an "alternative girl." They went on to say that that's "her literal character description so get ready for some angst."

12. Getting out of Hawkins.

We've already spent an episode outside of Hawkins last season, which I think was a hint at what's to come. While a good portion of the story will undoubtedly take place in Hawkins, I'm sure the plot will take most of the characters outside of the town as they either fight the big bad or search for more of Eleven's siblings. Besides, Ross Duffer has already said that they'll all need to "get the f*** out of this town! It's ridiculous!"

13. Hopper and Dustin are infected.

If Will's not going to be the main character going through something traumatic, then it'll probably be one of these two. In season 2, we saw both of them encounter the spores from the Upside Down tunnels without proper protection. It doesn't look good for these two.

14. The Jancy content we deserve.

It finally happened. Last season, Jonathan and Nancy got together, and this season better give me more of the Established!Jancy I've been looking forward to since season 1 (much like Stancy in season 2, but better).

15. Steve getting over Nancy.

While he was still nursing a broken heart a month after their break-up, he'll need to be over it by now. Hopefully, he'll be so over it that he can be friends with Jonathan and Nancy because nothing will ever match that trio's team-up at the end of season 1 and the world needs more of that.

16. Unexpected character dynamics and team-ups.

Since last season saw Steve and Dustin partnering up, I'm hoping more characters will follow suit this time. Maybe Jonathan and Mike could have an adventure, or Nancy and Lucas or Steve and Eleven or some other combo that you wouldn't expect but turns out to work really, really well together.

17. Eleven to finally have a female friend who is hopefully named Mad Max.

Was anyone else super salty that Eleven rebuffed Max's attempt at a friendship?? Eleven needs some women in her life. She left Kali, has never connected with Nancy, and only has Joyce. She needs a female friend her own age, and Max needs one, too. Plus, Sadie Sink and Millie Bobby Brown are close in real life and I will be very sad if the show doesn't put that relationship on screen.

18. Eleven and Will to be in multiple scenes together, both fully conscious.

Speaking of actors who have a great friendship that needs to be shown on-screen, Millie and Noah Schnapp are long overdue for their characters to become friends.

19. JOPPER RISE.

Joyce has had a year to mourn Bob, and her friendship with Hopper was strengthened last season. They've gotta happen this season, and I know David Harbour himself will back me up on this.

20. Billy to rear his ugly head in a way that's inconvenient for everyone.

Surprise, surprise, the dude will wreak havoc and be a general nuisance. Though he may be heeding Max's command to stay away from her and her friends, he's still a sucky person and will most likely make life awful for the characters. Whether that's by starting a relationship with Karen Wheeler or being involved with the baddies this season, he's going to cause trouble.

21. Sara Hopper's connection to Hawkins Lab will either be explored or refuted.

It's been noticed by fans that the stairwell Hopper sobbed in when his daughter died looks to be the same one he found Dr. Owens in, establishing a possible connection between Sara and Hawkins Lab. Fans have long speculated she could be involved with the shady organization as her death is never fully explained. While I don't personally buy into the theory (it's too convenient), I think the idea will be addressed in one way or another. Either I'm wrong and there is a connection, or it'll be made very clear that there is none.

22. More of Hopper's backstory in general.

When Eleven was digging through Hopper's private stuff, we saw a box marked "Vietnam," an easter egg at something they'll hopefully more fully explore this season.

23. New baddies—from the Upside Down and the regular world.

Following the previous seasons' pattern, we'll most likely see more bads. While it could still be the Mind Flayer back at it again, I'm sure we'll see more creatures from the Upside Down. And just like the bullies and Dr. Brenner from season 1 and Billy in season 2, they'll have to have a human evil as well.

24. Dr. Brenner somehow finding his way back into the plot.

"Papa" was revealed to be alive by a scientist in season 2 and confirmed by showrunner Shawn Levy in an interview with Collider. So whether it's because he’s still alive and they fight (or reluctantly team up?) with him or it's another flashback like last season, I doubt the Duffer brothers will be able to resist bringing back Matthew Modine.

25. The Byers' home will get destroyed, one way or another.

In season 1, it was the Christmas lights, painted alphabet, massive hole in the wall, and booby traps for Demogorgon (including the creature's foot left behind and an actual fire). In season 2, it was the millions of drawings to form a map. I'm excited to see how the Duffers plan to wreck Joyce's home this season :)

26. A venture into the Upside Down.

Every season has shown characters venturing into the Upside Down (Will, Nancy, Joyce, and Hopper in season 1 and the scientists in season 2). It could be in the form of the Upside Down seeping into our world like with the tunnels, or it could be going directly into it again. Either way, we need more about how that dimension works, and I'm sure we'll find out through characters' first-hand experiences.

(I need to know about those eggs from season 1, Duffers! Is that how the demodogs are born? Is it another creature? I want answers!)

27. Another, more intense, Eleven vs Mind Flayer showdown.

Season 2 ended on an ominous note with the Mind Flayer watching over the school, now aware of Eleven and her powers. Now that it knows she's out there, another showdown seems inevitable, especially if the Mind Flayer is one of the big bads in season 3.

28. A beloved character will die.

In season 1, we lost Barb, and last time, we lost Bob Newby, superhero. They could up the ante and kill off one of the long-standing characters from the main cast, or they could introduce someone, get us to like them, and then kill them off. I'll try not to get attached, but I know it's futile.

If it's one of the main cast, I swear I will throw bricks. Especially if it's my son and resident mom of five teenagers Steve Harrington.

Since we won't know if any of these are correct until next year (kill me), I'm going to keep hypothesizing and waiting obsessively for any bit of news on the third season. Let me know if you have any other predictions.