sparks | henry creel

036

Why in the hell did they let her try that? I want to come up to her and scold her for drinking that... Disgusting liquid that's sitting in her cup right now. She's loosing herself, she told me she'd never try beer. I realize I'm letting my emotions get the better of me, and sigh as I step back, turning around. I have to keep her safe.

I really didn't know what overcame me. I guess I just wanted to try not being the only person in the house drowning in their own pity. It took a lot of convincing for Lucas to get off my ass about how i shouldn't be drinking, because I'm going to regret it in the morning. I know he's right, but If I do remember anything about tonight considering I'm on my third cup and the alcohol is starting to kick in, I'll have a good report to give back to Max, because even if Lucas is mad at both me and Mike right now, he's not leaving me alone. Probably because he doesn't trust me, like, at all, but it's the thought that counts.

"Okay, Heather, that's enough." Lucas takes away my cup before I can even ask for a refill. "Let's go," he grabs my arm, pulling me to where I'm hanging onto his shoulder for support. "You know I'm like... Not drunk, right?" My voice drags on, and Mike scoffs. "We're... Still getting donuts, right??" I groan, my stomach aching. "Sure, yeah." He gives me a small smile. "Maybe we should, you know, call Max. She'd know what to do with her," Mike utters to Lucas. "What, are you serious?! I would never hear the end of it if she found out I let her get like this." Lucas scoffs. "Okay, but, Lucas, she's wasted."

The next thing I remember I'm being laid on cold, icy floor that I remember all too well to be Mike Wheelers basement. And, my stomach is still empty. Liar.

"You're not taking me home?" I ask, as Mike walks over to the couch to get a blanket. I recognize I'm in the tent Mike used to hide El out in. Smart man, he knows I'd scream at him if I woke up in the morning realizing I was sitting on the disgusting couch in the corner of the basement.

"What, are you kidding me?" He chuckles, making his way back over to me. "You don't remember this in the morning, but if I took you home as drunk as you are, you'd probably wake up in the middle of the night and wander the halls and scare the shit out of your grandma." He climbs inside the tent, covering a blanket over me. My head is already on a pillow, and I know he's right.

"Where's Lucas? Is he sleeping over?" I ask. "No, he has church in the morning." He tucks me in. "And you don't?" I ask.
"No, I stopped going when Will went missing."
"Why?"
Moment of silence.
"Lost of faith."
"But Wills back," I lower my voice when I hear creaking upstairs. "Yeah, but it doesn't feel like it, sometimes."

That was the last thing I remember before I passed out in exhaustion.

💡

I woke up at around ten, and sure enough, I hardly remember anything from last night. Mike was still fast asleep next to me. I give him a small smile, knowing that El has herself a good one, even though she's so far away. I decide I'll go ahead and give her a call, even though she's three hours behind. She's always been a early bird, though. I tiptoe over to the telephone, stumbling over a couple articles of clothing.

I dial the Byers phone number, hitting enter.

I pull the phone up to my ear. "Byers residence." A boys voice echoes, and I realize it's Will. And his voice has gotten deeper, by A LOT. "Hey, Will, it's Heather from Hawkins." I try to keep my voice low. A few seconds go by. "Heather, you know we were best friends for like, two years, right?" He chuckles, and my heart settles a little bit. "It's good to hear your voice, Will," I whisper. "Yours too. You know it's like, seven in the morning here, right?" He asks. "Yeah, I know. I thought about waiting but didn't want to wake Mike."
"Mike?" His voice drops.

Oh god. I just realized how strange this looks. I'm calling from Mike's house in the morning. Maybe it's not strange, considering everyone has sleepovers with eachother often, but still. "I slept over. Lucas, Mike and I went to a party last night and they decided It would be best if I slept over." I quickly say, and the awkwardness quickly settles back into normalcy. "Oh, okay. I have some news!" The energy turns exciting. "You're coming down to Hawkins?" My heartbeat goes up, and I can hear him smile into the phone. "Better. We're moving back!"