𝐃𝐎𝐄𝐒 𝐒𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐌𝐄? -Mike Wheeler POV-

Pilot- I met Mrs. Kelly

Today was just an ordinary day, I awoke, went downstairs, said my goodbyes to Holly, Mom, and Nancy, and headed to.. school. The only thing different was that today instead of going to home-room, I had to go to Mrs. Kelly's counseling room. I've heard many stories about her, one was that she had done "things" with coach Lincoln. But I don't believe that crap. Anyway, I'm kind of in a grouchy mood today because El didn't call, I'm not grumpy because she didn't call this morning. I'm upset because I'm scared to call her now, she's moving back to Hawkins with her dad in a couple weeks and I'm pretty excited. But it is going to be a bit hard for her because she is going to be leaving her brother Will in California without her company. She's basically her step-brother, she says they've gotten close, I believe it. She gets along with almost anyone. She's gorgeous and intelligent and understa- I better get to the counseling room before I start daydreaming and forget where I'm going.
Once I entered the room I felt weird, maybe it was because I was nervous but for the most part I really don't know. I sat down on a mustard colored chair, she gave me a strange look. She scared me a bit.
"So, you must be Michael! It's an honor to have you here today."
I nodded, my hand was shaking I didn't know what to do except to nod multiple times.
"Thank you?" I replied.
"So, is there anything you'd like to talk about?" She asked as she fidgeted with her pen.
I gulped, "What will you be writing with the pen you have?"
"I will be writing what you would like to share with me, no one will see it, but me. I promise."
I suddenly got deja vu, I agreed to tell her what I was feeling and what was going on in my life since El and I couldn't trust the telephone system so I hadn't told her my feelings in months even though I truly wanted to. I'm kind of scared to. My brain is my safe place.
"Well, things have been rough, my girlfriend hadn't been with me for a couple days. We got her back, she left again. She's coming back soon. A few weeks." I added, "Also with everything that had happened with the massive earthquake and stuff."
I didn't mention anything about Max or Eddie, If I did I would probably start tearing up, I miss them.
She started to write, I started to sweat.
It was about time to go to gym, I wasn't really excited for it. But I was excited that Lucas, and Dustin were there, Maxine is usually there but since of her absence it's just, different. Today we were doing the usual dodgeball, El would really like this game. The coach blew his whistle and the game began. Lucas and I were on the blue team unlike Dustin, he was on the red team along with some weird 9th graders. I shouldn't judge, I'm not so fine myself. Lucas and I were planning on defending ourselves and running around like idiots instead of getting others out. Only because our team was pretty strong and barley any of our members were out. Our team won, the funniest part was that me and Lucas targeted Dustin and we hit him in the face. Coach Lincoln wasn't looking so it didn't count as a penalty, and the brat girl who told on everyone was on our team so she couldn't say anything.
    Next class was science, none of my friends were in there. I don't have much friends if I really think about it. I sat down next to Linda, rumor has it she has a huge crush on me. But I had no choice in sitting next her, all the seats were taken except for the ones in the back of the classroom, and the teacher never sees my hand being raised. So I just sat next to her. She kept passing me notes, I was getting kind of annoyed. But I didn't want to rejected her in any way because I know how it feels, I liked other girls before but they all rejected me in the rudest ways possible. I'm so grateful I have El, I hope I'll be with her forever. Wait does that mean I want to marry her?
    "Michael."
    "Michael, are you listening? Open to page C86!"
    "Sorry Mrs. I was just zoning out.."
    I opened my science book and followed along, I was still thinking about the fact that I realized I wanted to marry El, at least I think I did.. I didn't really learn much from science today, it was pretty much basis knowledge. All we really talked about was the reaction when you put oil with water in the same cup and crap. All I wanted was to go home and talk to Eleven on the phone but there's still 3 hours left. I'm not having much of a good week or day I guess. My parents have been arguing and Holly needed to be comforted along with me, we both normally go to my sister Nancy but she wasn't there those days. Holly and I just played dolls and ignored all the yelling and cursing outside of the "noise canceling" doors.
    The hours of the day passed quicker than expected, I was on my way home and I was already excited to call El. Once I opened the door mom and dad were fighting, again. I ran in between them dramatically to Nancy's room. Holly was crying and Nancy looked extremely worried for her. I dropped my backpack on the floor, ran to Holly's room and got her favorite few dolls that Nancy, Holly, and I could play with together. Her face lit up with as much joy she had left, I had to pause the game because I really wanted to call Eleven, Holly didn't mind.
    I picked up the phone, "RING, RING, RING"
    She answered. "Hey! How are you?"
    "Hey, I'm doing OK. School just ended for me and it's been kind of rough."
    "Hey, if you wanna talk about it we can, I understand."
    I smirked, "Thanks, El."
    She giggled over the phone, I could tell she was smiling.
    "Guess what!?"
    "What?!" I said.
    The phone got staticky, "I grew some hair over the weeks, haha. I can finally use the clips you got me!"
    I smiled, "I miss you, El. I'm excited to see you soon."
    Everything was silent over the phone I really don't know what happened but it sounded like there was an earthquake in her room.
    She came back to the phone out of breath, "I miss you too! I'm super excited to see you this weekend."
    My eyes lit up, "This weekend?!"
    "Yeah! I get to see you in like 2 days!"
    "I thought you said in like 5 weeks?"
    She giggled, "I don't know, but I'm coming on Saturday."
    My parents argument got louder and louder I got anxious, "El?"
    "Yes?"
    I want to tell her I loved her, I'm scared. Should I? What's the worst that can happen.. Well she didn't say it back last time I told her. But well, I don't know. Should I?
    "Mike, you there?"
    "Yeah sorry."
    "Well I have to go, if you need to finish I have like 30 seconds."
    I decided to go for it. "I love you."
    "I love you too, Mike." She replied.
    "YES DAD COMING- I got to go, bye Mike!"
    I fell back onto my bed, I smiled. Outside of the door we could still hear arguing, I went back to the dolly game with Holly and made her laugh with Nancy.
    I heard my dad's foot stomp of the floor, "That's it we're getting a divorce."
    Everyone in the room froze tears dropped from our faces, I couldn't handle it. One after another, they kept falling and falling down my face. I didn't care about my parent's relationship much, but that hurt. I walked out of Holly's room. My mother collapsed, my father didn't even care. He left. I really needed El right now.