𝐒𝐔𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐄𝐒 ||𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘺𝘦𝘳𝘴||

𝐈𝐈𝐈. 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐉𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐲

Chris stared at the ceiling in the Wheeler's guest bedroom as he wore some of Mike's clothes. No matter what he tried, he just couldn't sleep. He stirred for a bit before deciding to get a glass of water. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and his feet hit the cold ground. Silently he started walking towards the stairs and he heard some whispering voices.

"With everything that's been going on?" Mrs Wheeler whispered as Chris tried not to move or breathe too loudly.

"I didn't realize how late it was, okay?" Nancy shot back "I'm sorry, Mom. What more do you want?" She asked as she started climbing up the stairs.

"Hey, wait... Whose sweatshirt is that?" Mrs Wheeler asked and Chris could already guess the answer.

"Steve's," Nancy replied and Chris softly sighed, already having an idea on what happened.

"Steve's. As in Christian's brother. So is Steve your boyfriend now?" Mrs Wheeler asked.

"What? No! It was just cold, so I borrowed his sweatshirt. It's not a big deal." Nancy replied and started walking again.

"Nancy?" Mrs Wheeler asked and Nancy stopped.

"What?" She asked annoyed.

"You can talk to me," Mrs Wheeler said, and Chris realized that his mother had never once said that to him. Every time they talked Chris had to either lie about who he was or they were fighting. All Chris ever wanted was to be loved. But when no one gave it to him. He decided that it was better to not be loved. And so, emotions grew off-limits, and he rarely to never showed them. "You can talk to me. Whatever happened." Mrs Wheeler finished.

"Nothing happened," Nancy stated and it was quiet for a second.

"Nancy," Mrs Wheeler tried.

"Nothing happened. Can I please go?" Nancy asked and Chris could hear the pain in her voice. Then she left and thankfully didn't see Chris. Chris though Mrs Wheeler would be gone and started walking down the stairs only to see Mrs Wheeler still there.

"Mrs Wheeler. I'm sorry I didn't mean to—" He started but Mrs Wheeler just softly smiled.

"It's okay, Christian. And you know that you can call me Karen," She replied and Chris nodded. 

"Is something wrong?" She asked and Chris softly chewed on the inside of his cheek as he realized his own mother never asked that.

"I couldn't sleep so I wanted to get some water," He replied as he finished walking down the stairs.

"How about I get you some warm milk, that always seemed to work better." Mrs Wheeler smiled kindly and placed her hand on Chris's shoulder before leading him to the kitchen.

"Thank you, Mrs Whee- Karen." Chris thanked and smiled softly. While on the inside he wanted to scream.

⤎✗🕶✗⤏

Chris stood in the basement along with the boys and Eleven, wearing the same clothes he was wearing yesterday.

"We just tell our parents we have AV Club after school," Mike said while Eleven toyed with his walkie-talkie. "That'll give us at least a few hours for Operation Mirkwood." He added.

"'Operation Mirkwood'?" Chris asked with a face.

"What's wrong with that name?" Mike shot back.

"Out of all the names you chose one that sounds disgusting?" He asked and Mike sighed while rolling his eyes.