I thought I lost you (byler)

The breakup

(Mike POV)

We lost. For the first time, since we got involved in the upside down,we lost. I haven't been in contact with any of the party for the past couple of days. We all rest in hopelessness wondering what was going to happen next.

Max is hurt. Eddie is dead. Gone.  The upside down was basically now a part of Hawkins. Will tells me vecna isnt even dead. Vecna isn't even dead. After all this hurt and pain, our  great attempts of victory only ended in pure sorrow.

Since California El hasn't said a single word to me. Not a fucking word. What did I do wrong? I said what she needed to hear.. in my speech. I said I love you. What the fuck does she want from me?

Will has been. Well things with will has been actually pretty great despite the fact that vecna just won. We got closer.. closer than before he left a year ago. Not that I had been in contact with him since we last saw max.

As I sit on my bed, I sigh at the thought of the conversation in the van. The heart. I am the heart? Me? Its impossible to believe. Infact,  I dont even think el asked him to give me the painting. He mentioned how the party needed him... and yet we never played dnd with el. Actually, el wasn't even a part of the painting itself. In California i was distracted and stressed with everything going on but now I actually have time to think.. to think about the conversation in the car and what it meant.

I bike to mr hoppers and mrs Byers  cabin.

I knock on the door for it to be opened by will. I watch as his eyes light up as he smiles at me.

"Hi will. Is It just you home?" I smile then ask the question. Our eyes were latched onto each other.

"Oh hi ummm yes I mean no. No El is home too but everyone else is out somewhere so yeah. Mom and hopper are out helping people. Jonathon is doing something with Nancy and im well yeah I'm home... I mean you knew that. I mean. "  Will rambles on in nervousness his eyes constantly connecting and disconnecting from mine.

I wonder why he was so anxious?

i give him a nod of reassurance.

After he finishes speaking, he stands there: his eyes still interlocked with mine. For a few seconds we stand in silence.  "Oh I mean come in." Will nervously says as he steps away from the door to allow me to come in. He was acting strange but then again, weren't we all? Max was in a coma. And well... we lost.

"So, what brings you here today? " Will smiles.

"Oh I just wanted to talk to El. She is still  ignoring me so I wanted to see what was up with her. I gave her Space now its time to check in. I want to be there for her cause I care for her." I say stuttering on a few of my words. The truth I didnt just come for el. I missed my best friend. I wanted to check on him. But it would be weird for me to say that and not see me girlfriend too.

"Oh." The light in wills eyes die after I finish speaking. He looks down; his whole face now in gloom. "She is in her room." Wills says coldly then walks away.

"Thanks" I call after him. He  doesn't respond. He doesnt even look back.

Is he okay? Did something happen? I want to check in on him but he has already walked away. I sigh then head to El's room.

I knock on the door after a couple seconds a I hear a soft "come in."

"El." I smile at her as i stand in her doorway.

"Mike." Her voice is soft and yet I can feel disappointment weigh down her vocals.

"I would of thought you would be more excited to see me." I try my best not frown and cling onto any ounce of contentment in my voice.