I Love You Though... - Byler

Will

I sit down and Mike smiles at Eleven, I know I shouldn't want this but I want him to smile and look at me.  I know he never will, but I want me to be the one he shows his affection to.  I don't even know if he likes El or not; if he does I think I'll go bad again.  And that's not me trying to be selfish, I just am trying to be honest.  
"So, how's California?"  Nancy asks.  
Jonathan smiles.  "It's really good thanks."  
El and I smile at her.
"That's good."  She replies with.  
Mike looks at me.  "Do you like the new school?"  
"Yeah, it's alright.  I miss all of you of course, but other than that it's alright."  That's a lie, everyone knows it's a lie.  But I don't want him to worry about us. 
Mike smiles.  "We all miss you too.  It's not the same without you both."
"Thanks."  El and I both say at the same time.  
"Jinx."  El says while sighing.  
I laugh a bit.  "El, we are literally 16."  
"Rules are rules."   She says.
Max laughs.  "Jesus."  

We all eat and talk like it used to be, we stopped asking about school and just started talking about shows that we watched last night and what we saw biking home.  It was nice, I felt like I was relaxed and at home.  
"I was thinking if you wanted to go watch a new movie."  I suggest.  "It looks kinda cool.  We don't have to if you don't want to."  
Mike buts in before I feel guilty for asking.  "Of course we do, it's your town.  You show us around."  
I smile at him.  
"I think it'll be fun."  Max says.  "What movie is it?"  
"It's called Nightmare on Elm Street."  I say.  "It's an 18 but we'll just sneak in.  It'll be fine, I hope."  
Everyone laughs.