broken | a byler story

chapter 2: home

IN THE VAN; ON THE WAY TO HAWKINS, INDIANA

"El wake up, we're almost in Hawkins." Mike said

"Mike it's so dark we can't possibly be that close to Hawkins," El said, "What's really happening?"

"El..." Mike said, "You've been through so much, and you deserve someone who could give you what you deserve.

"Mike?" El said sadly, "Are you... breaking up with me?"

"It's not you, it's me, "Mike said, his voice breaking, "I need you to trust me, you deserve someone who can give you the treatment you deserve, the treatment you never got from me."

El sobbed for a while before saying, "No."

"What?" Mike asked

"I won't break up" El said,

"El... I'm sorry, but I have to." Mike said.

"Fine" El said annoyed and wiped her tears away, "If i'm not enough for you honestly, I hope you don't come back."

"El you're enough for me," Mike said, "But i'm not enough for you"

El turned around and said, "Johnathan is there room in the second row, I can't be back here with this half-witted animal"

"Um sure" said Johnathan, and helped her up to the second row.

____________________________________________________________ABOUT 30 MINUTES LATER

"So... do you want to talk about it?" Will asked Mike

"About what?" Mike asked

"About the fucking weather..." Will said sarcastically, "No, about you randomly breaking up with El."

"It... wasn't random" Mike said, "We had a huge fight before she was arrested. She thought I didn't love her anymore. After that i realized... I didn't"

"Wait so you didn't like her, and yet you stayed in that relationship?" Will asked

"No, I didn't" Mike said, but after seeing the look on Will's face he said, "But that was only like 2 days."

"Well if it isn't El who is it?" Will asked

"Who is what?" Mike asked confused

"Your new crush" Will asked inquisitively

"I- I don't know" Mike said

"Well, whoever she is, I'm sure she'll be great." Will said

"Yeah," Mike said, "She'll be great."

"I've also been meaning to tell you something" Will said a couple minutes later

"What's up" said Mike

"I'm not like you" Will said, "I won't fit in after I tell you this, but promise we'll still be friends."

"Will what's going on?" Mike asked, "Maybe I can help"

"There's no 'helping' this" Will said, "Just PLEASE, promise"

"Fine, I promise we'll still be friends" Mike said, worried, "Just tell me what's wrong"

"There's nothing wrong" Will said and took a deep breath, "I'm gay"

"What?" Mike said sympathetically

"I'm gay" Will said, "I like boys"

"That's great Will!" Mike said

"So, you're not mad?" Will asked