(2) Love You to Hell and Back (Max Mayfield / (Fem) You)

-Chapter 12: The Flayed-

We rush back to the car, buckling back in as Nancy speeds off to the hospital.

Arriving, we all rush into the building, going to pass the reception before she stops us. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Excuse me, where do you think you're going?" She asks. "Oh, uhm, I was just going to visit my grandma again." Nancy lies. "And this...this is my family." She says, giving an innocent smile. The receptionist scans over us before her eyes land on Lucas. "Extended." He explains. She nods slowly before her eyes fall on Max and I holding hands. We quickly let go, smiling. "Uhm, we're just close." I say. She looks back at Nancy. "I don't care who they are. You know the rules. Two visitors at a time." She says. "Yeah, but-" "Two!"

The receptionist returns to her call before Nancy and Jonathan look at each other before looking at us. "Stay here." She says, leaving with the older Byers boy. The rest of us turn, the receptionist eyeing us as we settle into our own activities. Max and I have to keep away, keeping the idea of us being close family. Max and El stand on one side, reading magazines while Mike and Lucas are at the vending machine. I sit with Will at the seats. "Hey, Will." I say. "Hey." He replies, watching me. "How've you been? I know we've not really hung out in a while." I say, smiling. He shrugs, clearly not happy. "I dunno. It's been...annoying." He says. "Mike and Lucas have just been so...so caught up in the idea of girls that everything has changed." Will explains.

"You've been spending loads of time with Max, which I don't mind because you still make time for us anyway with Movies and DnD ... .but those two just...don't get it." He says. "Mike is so goddamn focused on El that he completely ignores the rest of us while Lucas...Lucas just wants to help Mike but he does it so...intensely." He says. Will sighs, rubbing his face with his hands. "I don't know, I guess I just really thought, or hoped, that things wouldn't change too much."

"Not that I hate Max and El, they're great." Will says, holding up his hands. I laugh, shaking my head. "Of course you don't. No, I get you. I felt like that when we first met El and Mike wouldn't stop...obsessing over her." I say. "Remember how close Mike and I were? We practically grew up together. But he just, I dunno, disappeared." I say. Will nods, recalling memories. "I believe that, with how long Mike lost El, and how this was his first break-up, Mike is reacting the way he always does when he doesn't know what to do." I say before looking into Will's eyes. "He's freaking out and instead of letting us know or help properly, he's holding it all to himself and focuses all his attention on it."

Will nods, turning to Mike, watching as he whacks a vending machine. I watch as a light whirring rings in my head, making me wince. What is that? I look around, searching for the source when my eyes land on El who is looking clearly at the vending machine. Suddenly, all the snacks fall out and El looks away, wiping her nose. Was that ringing coming from El?

I look at the girl for a second before looking back at the boys who are whispering while looking at the girls. "They're being weird." I mutter to Will. He nods, chuckling. "Now you know?" He says. "I'm gonna make sure they're not...like...planning some weird crap." I say, getting up. "Want anything from the vending machine?" I ask. "Chocolate?" "Alright."

I walk over to the boys and catch their last words. "I'll distract Max, get you an opening. And then talk to her, all right?" Lucas says. "You may have forgotten one more person." I say, walking closer. They spin, panicking at me. "What? What do you mean?" Mike says. "I'll distract Max and get you an opening" I mimic. They look at me, fear etched into their face. "If you think I'm going to stand by and let you 'distract' my girlfriend....you're wrong." I say. I turn to Mike. "I trust you will make good use of your time...and if she comes running to us again, upset about YOU." I say, poking him in the chest. "Then expect a lot worse than the silent treatment." I say before turning, walking to Max.