The painting ~ byler

V

- WILL'S POV -

"What's... going on." El's voice echoed in the silence of the room.

Mike said he loved her. I mean- I don't know why I was so surprised to hear it. I knew he loved her, he had told me. But last night had just changed what I thought, gave me hope that Mike could have liked me back.

Our hands touched and our eyes met. It was great- that was until Mike turned away.

"Nothing" Mike scratched his head.

"Oh." Everyone remained silent. "Have you figured out a way yet?" El asked.

"Not yet... El. We will tell you when we do." Nancy replied.

"Friends don't lie. I... I heard." Everyone looked at El. "If there isn't another way then-."

"We are looking for another way, Eleven, we will find another way." Robin interrupted. And just like that they were all gone and El was back in her room.

11:20 am

Me and Mike sat on the sofa awkwardly watching the TV. We didn't know what was on, but none of us moved a muscle. I looked over to him- he looked like his mind was blank.

El's door starts to open again.

"Mike... can we talk?" El says as she peaks her head round the door.

"Yeah!" And just like that I was alone.

11:34

Goosebumps hit my neck again.

Not again. Not again.

El's door opens up again. Few.

"Will? Are you okay?" Mike says in a sweet voice.

"I- I'm fine." I stare back at El's door, then look back at Mike. "What did you guys... talk about?"

"Oh... nothing! Just clearing up some things."

"Oh." I look back at the TV.

"Hey- can I... show you something?" Mike looked at me, almost... blushing?

"Oh gosh... don't tell me you tried to paint again." I laugh and so does he.

"No, but we got to walk there."

11:52

I recognised the woods we were walking through, but I just couldn't remember what from. That's when it hit me.

We walked up to castle byers, except it wasn't torn apart- it was rebuilt.

"Castle byers?? No way- you remembered it?" I smile at Mike, "it's been... forever since I went in here."

"I know- it's a late birthday present. I hope you like it." He smiles back.

We go and sit down inside it. And just as we do it starts pouring down with rain.

"Hopefully this thing holds up!" Mike starts, "and also, I just wanted to say I- I'm sorry for that night we fought. It was totally my fault and I was completely out of order. I- I just feel crazy at the moment."

I look at him. Crazy. "Crazy together, right?" I prayed he would remember what I was talking about. I hadn't forgot about our promise.

"Crazy together." He smiled and let out a small laugh.

The moment was perfect. Until.

"Do you wanna tell me what happened with you and vecna, now?"

Great. Why did he have to bring that up.

"Mike... I told you to forget it-."

"But Will. You promised to tell me. It's important for me to know!"

"No Mike! It's not! Just forget it okay! Thank you for castle Byers but I... I have to go." I had to get away before I bursted. I hate lying to Mike.

"Will? Hey don't do this?"

"Do what? I just don't want to talk about it. Is it that big of a deal?" We were now both stood out in the pouring rain, getting Absolutely soaked.

Mike doesn't say anything so I begin to walk away.

"Well what about the painting?" I turn back around. "You never cleared that up for me."

"Painting... what- I told you Mike, El- El told me to paint it." I start to get all shaky.

"She didn't though. Did she? She had no idea what you were painting."

"Mike- I- I'm not talking right now." And with that I start walking again.

"Will?" Mike shouts, but ignore it. "Will!?"

"What!? Mike!" Mike was stood still and now not saying anything. "Mike?"