(DISCONTINUED!!) 𝙃𝙖𝙬𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙨 𝙃𝙞𝙜𝙝 ⁎⁎⁎ Stranger Things AU

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟕

"The Bench" - 6:00 PM - Monday

Mike's POV

Here he was. His plan worked out perfectly. He led Will to the little opening that went into a small, roofless room. The sunset shone down, illuminating the area they were standing in. Mike sat down on the old wood bench that sat against the wall opposite the entrance.

"Well, looks like she's not here. Thanks for the help, though!" Mike grinned at Will, leaning back on the small bench. Will looked puzzled as he looked at Mike.

"I thought it was an emergency? You said it was urgent." Will rubbed the back of his neck nervously, looking around the room. Mike shrugged. He wished Will would calm down and sit next to him, so they could talk normally.

"It's not that big of a deal, I'll just tell her tomorrow." Mike smiled again and gestured toward the empty seat next to him, hoping Will would get the idea and sit, and to Mike's surprise he actually did! He sat down stiffly on the bench next to him, his hands resting on the old wood. They sat in silence for a few minutes, both of them just admiring the beauty of the moment. Unpopular, nerdy Will Byers, sitting in the most popular makeout spot, with Mike Wheeler, the coolest, most popular guy in the school. It was almost funny, and Mike would have laughed if this wasn't so important to him.

"So.. Why were you at the basketball game? You don't seem like the type to be into sports." Mike turned to Will, his hand brushing against Will's as he shifted to look at him. Mike noticed pink on Will's cheeks. Mike couldn't help but think about how he never noticed how good looking Will is. Mike focused on his eyes. They were green with brown flecks in them, sparkling in the light of the golden sunset. Mike felt a smile creeping up on the corners of his mouth.

Wait. What was he thinking? He has a girlfriend. And he didn't like guys like that.

"Dustin invited me, he's planning on joining the team." Will leaned back. Mike smiled. He seemed to be warming up to him. He seemed much less nervous, and he wasn't stuttering anymore.

"Cool! You should join too! It would be fun." Mike suggested. He wanted to spend more time with Will. He wanted to get to know him. But that couldn't happen if he was just talked to him here.

Mike and Will chatted for half an hour, about things like basketball, classes, friends, social lives,  everything friends talked about. Were they friends now? Mike pondered the idea of being friends with Will. He hoped this wouldn't be the last of their interactions. Maybe he'll convince Will to join the basketball team.

"Oh shit, what time is it?" Will looked around as if he was looking for a clock. Mike looked down at the watch on his wrist.

"7:00, why?" Mike tapped his fingers on the bench

"My mom's probably worried sick. I told her I'd be home an hour ago." Will shot up from his seat. "You said you would.. Uh, give me a ride home?" Mike noticed the stuttering in Will's words coming back, and he wondered why.

"Oh, yeah, my bikes up front. Come on, let's get you home." Mike and Will clambered through the tight entrance, shoulders touching as they squeezed through. Mike looked at Will again. He was blushing. It was probably just from the cold. The sun had set and it was freezing cold outside- Will was shivering. "I- Ah, are you cold? I have an extra jacket in my bag, if you want it." Mike smiled at Will as they walked through the barren halls, gesturing towards his bag. Will's eyes widened and he nodded. He watched intently as Mike opened the bag and pulled out a grey zip up hoodie. He handed it to Will, smiling.

"Thanks.." Will whispered as he put the hoodie on, still blushing. They finally made their way to the front of the school. It was completely empty, even though plenty people had been there just an hour before. There it was- Mike's bike. It had a chipped coat of purple paint splotched all over. Mike hopped on the seat and looked at Will.

"You gonna get on?" Mike teased, scooting forward on the seat. Will awkwardly climbed onto the back of the bike, his hands stuffed in the pockets of his borrowed hoodie. "You wanna fall off? Just put your hands on my shoulder, I don't bite." Will laughed quietly and adjusted himself on the seat. Mike breathed in the night air as he started pedaling. Everything was silent and still, it was a perfectly peaceful night. The cold wind brushed through Mike's hair, chilling his entire body.

"Where should I drop you off?" Mike asked, turning his head back as he braked. Will gave him the directions and he began pedaling again, cutting through the dark, cold night.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Word count: 821