Just Friends - Byler

III

• • • MORNING • • •

Mike had a pretty hard time sleeping last night, and not because of Will. It was because of Eleven.

Why did she lie to Mike?
Does she know?

Know what exactly? It's not like I'm in love with Will besides, he's my best friend and you cannot be in love with your best friend.

Mike did his usual morning routine consisting of brushing his teeth and throwing on whatever stupid hoodie he could find with a t-shirt and jeans.

The party was meeting up at Lucas's today, it's always Mikes basement but Max insisted on switching things up because "Mikes basement is boring."
So they all agreed on Lucas's.

Mike had some free time before the party would attack him with calls on why he's "late" so he decided to write Will a letter, he hasn't don't that in a long while.

Mike sat at his desk rewriting letters to Will over and over again, throwing crumpled balls of paper off his desk while. Causing them to fall under and around his chair and feet.

Hey will I'm very sorry for what I said during the summer but I just want to say that I lo-

You idiot Micheal Wheeler. You don't love him, I mean yeah you do. Platonically.
Mike thought, throwing yet another paper ball behind him that landed at his foot. He kicked the crumpled paper away and ripped another paper out of his notebook, starting another letter.

To Will the Wise, -
Does he even go by that anymore?
Mike imagined while throwing the paper behind him.

Mike gave a sigh saying he gave up on writing a letter to Will and leaned back in his chair closing his eyes while taking in the unusual peaceful silence.
Until the door opened, causing Mike to jump up from his chair, almost falling off of the damn thing.

"Nancy KNOCK!!" Mike shouted to his older sister, catching his breath in between words.

"Mike, I'm worried about you. You're always up in your room when you're home and, mom said to get you for breakfast. She made pancakes! Wills favorite, right?"

"Look, Nancy I get it. You're worried but now is not the time." Mike really wanted to talk and tell Nancy how he really felt right now. How all he thinks about is Will. He wanted to know why he was having these strange feelings towards Will Byers. He was on the
verge of insanity it felt like.

"Mike, I know when something is wrong with my little brother. Now tell me Micheal, what's wrong?"

Oh, what's wrong Nancy? Just the fact that all I think about is Will Byers and I daydream about hugging him and comforting him and giving him kisses on his forehead, maybe even his lips when he's sad. Normal stuff you know? Or maybe the fact that I may, possibly be in love with my best friend who I've know since kindergarten. I don't know where to start honestly. You choose, Nancy.

Mike didn't say any of that though,all that came out was,"I-I just miss W-Eleven, you know? I miss Eleven." His cheeks flushed with red, knowing he had almost said Wills name. He looked back down at his desk in shame, not daring to make eye contact with his older sister at all.

Nancy furrowed her eyebrows at Mike but decided that she should just push past this and change the subject.

"Okay whatever Mike, come downstairs and get breakfast before you leave." Nancy mentioned again before leaving.

Mike sighed out of relief once Nancy fully closed the door and got up from his chair to go get breakfast.

"Hey Micheal, there's a letter for you. I think it's from Will." Karen advised him once he got down the last steps.

Mike grabbed the letter from Karen's hand and and set it down next to him. Maybe it's for the whole party to read together. Mike smiled at the thought of and ate a bite of pancake.

• • • TIME SKIP • • •

The party were all in Lucas's living room minis Dustin, he was raiding the pantry because "Lucas always had the best snacks" Dustin would say.

"Guys," Mike spoke up " I got a letter from Will this morning." Mike continued, trying his best to hide a giant smile that was just begging to form on his face.

"Well read it." Max insisted rolling her eyes at. Mike rolling his back at her.

Mike carefully opened up the letter and read aloud to the party,
"Dear Mike, It's Will. I forgot to tell you something very exciting last time we wrote with each other - that was a week ago. Anyways, here is the news... I AM VISITING HAWKINS FOR SPRING BREAK! I hope you and the party are as excited as me and Eleven are, we really miss you guys so much. Eleven misses you Mike, I mean I bet you know that. I hear you guys on the phone for hours every other day. When she's not calling you she's calling Max and they're on there for even longer! Anyways, I fear I'm coming off as a bit jealous so I'm gonna end this letter off on a good note. Over and out!
Sincerely, Will Byers"

"WILLS COMING!" Dustin cheered from the kitchen, his hands were full of all kinds of snacks.

"ELS COMING!" Max cheered, for some reason this made Mike happy, not for him though. He felt happy for Max, it must be hard being the only girl in a group of teenage boys.

Time written: March 11, 2022 5:36 am
Word count: 939 words