Choices You Make

Making a Choice

Previously

Hawkins, Indiana: Mike's House

Mike walked through the front door of his parents house about an hour after El had left the farm, Tom having given him a ride so he didn't have to bike back the 40mins. He noticed on the way up that his parents were still out. He made his way up the stairs to his room. He opened the door looking around, not seeing El, he closed and backed out, shutting it behind him. He made his way back down, heading for the basement. Mike walked down the steps into the basement. He looked to his right instantly, noticing a blanket fort that had been erected haphazardly. Letting a sad smile out he walked to it, pulling back the blanket to peer inside. Sitting in the middle of it with a blanket clutched around her, tears streaming silently down her face staring into space was his girlfriend. She looked up at him, taking a moment to notice his presence.

"Mike? You're here." He just gave a sad smile before getting down and crawling in, his taller frame making it harder than it once was when he was younger. Pulling her into his arms, hugging her close, he replied. "Yeah El I'm here." She just laid her head on his chest as he leaned back on the wall behind him. Silence permeated the air, neither wanting to break the silence. After a moment it was Mike who spoke first letting out a sigh. "I know I said not to tell anyone, but I talked about it to Tom." "But...!" she tried saying, sitting up quickly before he interrupted her. "Don't worry he won't tell a living soul." She looked at him and saw the seriousness on his face and heard it in his voice. She let out a shaky breath before laying her head back down. A second went by before she spoke "What...what did he say?" Mike just looked straight ahead as he told her about the conversation he had with Tom.

Making a Choice

Flashback

Mike made his way over to the barn where Tom was waiting for him. As he made it inside, he saw Tom sitting at a small wooden table in the corner, a beer in his hand and another sitting on the table. He sat down in the old chair on the other side of Tom. grabbing the other beer and taking a large gulp, a slight grimace coming as the taste hit home. "Ehh son." looking over he saw Tom looking at him. Tom gave him a 'hold on' sign with his hand and shook his head before rising up from his chair. Mike watched as he made his way over to a shelf a little bit away, moving some stuff to the side grabbing a jar and two glasses. Tom set the two glasses on the table while looking at him as he sat and opened the jar, "Son, you've been working for me almost three years and you've never drank anytime I might offer (he's old school might let him have one and its the 80s) before but by the look on your face something tells me you're gonna need something a little stronger than that shit beer." Tom said in his gruff voice pouring some in the glass closest to him before pouring a little less in the opposite. He slid the farther one to Mike. Mike was usually one to stay away from alcohol but considering his current situation and panic mindset, he took the offered glass downing it in one go slamming the glass down, not bothering to hide his grimace at the burn. "Ugh...oof what was that?" he asked as he looked at the glass and shook his head. "Secret recipe." Tom replied with a smirk pouring a little more into both their empty glasses. Mike, now sipping on it this time sat in silence. Tom sitting across from him let the silence permeate for a minute before speaking "Son, do you wanna talk to me about why I'm giving a 16 year old 120 proof moonshine?". Mike said nothing as he looked as his glass for a second. Contemplating about whether or not to answer.

"I...i.." once again at a loss for words.

"Your girl looked pretty upset. Did she break up with you?" he questioned