𝑷𝑯𝑶𝑻𝑶𝑮𝑬𝑵𝑰𝑪 // Michael Afton x Reader//

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A/N: So, um, I kinda got hit by a car. Didn't die – obviously – and I also didn't break any bones or get injured too badly. The car slammed into my legs and pushed me back (almost into the street but I managed to stumble over to the curve instead) so I wasn't flung or anything, but it was terrifying. I've always kinda wondered what it would be like to get hit by a car and it's not very fun. The bystanders' reactions were funny though. Also, the asshole in the car did not stop to check on me or anything and just sped off. All in all, 0/10 would not recommend it. Stay safe and don't get hit by cars :) 

Side note: I deleted the chapter that was originally uploaded here and replaced it with this one, so if comments don't make sense, that's probably why.

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When I finally reached Lin's Market – one of Hurricane's many small stores – my cheeks, nose, and fingertips had turned red and numb. I was longing for the warmth of a heater and was relieved to find it once I stepped through the foggy, sliding glass doors.

Once I could finally feel my fingers again, I took one of the small, carriable baskets by the door and made my way into one of the nearby aisles. I took out the shopping list I unclipped from the fridge and read through it. Bananas, Cereal, Milk, Paper Towels, Pork, etc. Normal grocery things.

I made my way through the store, grabbing what I needed and mentally marking it off the list as I did. Eventually, the list had been completed which left me with Kell's request and something for myself. I made my way to the aisle that held the candy, and as I rounded the corner two children – one girl around Kell's age and a little boy who seemed a bit older – shot out, giggling mischievously. They almost hit me, but I managed to dodge them.

"Sorry!" The boy muttered, refusing to look at me as he did.

"C'mon, C.C.! He's gonna find us!" The girl exclaimed, practically dragging the boy behind her as she rushed into the next aisle over.

I watched them go, confused, but shrugged it off and went back to shopping as normal. I got a pack of Reece's for Kell before finding the back of the store. They usually held the sodas there. I found a row of fridges and quickly spotted what I wanted: Coca-Cola. It was classic, and of course, I preferred it over Pepsi.

I could barely get it out of the fridge and into my cart when I heard someone call from behind me. "Hey! Uh, you, girl!" The voice said, and I whipped around just in time for a boy my age to stop in front of me. It only took me a second to recognize him as Michael Afton. He looked slightly panicked, gently biting his lip as he spoke. "Have you seen my siblings? One's ginger, this tall-" he motioned to mid-thigh height, "-the other one looks like me but shorter and, uh...wait," he paused, cocking his head as he squinted at me. I roughly fidgeted with my hands. "Aren't you picture girl?"

"Uh, I guess?" I squeaked out, slightly startled to see someone from school outside of said building. It wasn't that uncommon since Hurricane is a pretty small town, but it still freaked me out every time it happened.

"Oh, that's cool. I wanted to ask about how the picture turned out but, uh, that's beside the point. My father's gonna kill me if I return without my siblings so, have you seen them anywhere?" he asked once more, pulling at the drawstrings of his hoodie as he stared at me, awaiting an answer. "I swear to god if they left the store," he muttered lowly.

"Uh, yeah, actually! They went into the canned goods aisle," I recalled, and almost immediately Michael began to back up, inching his way toward said aisle. Before he could get too far, I called out to him, "Fair warning. I think they're hiding from you."

He rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath. "I'm going strangle them once I find them," he seethed, clenching his fists in front of his chest like he was squeezing someone's throat.

I breathed out a laugh. "Good luck."

He scoffed, shaking his head. "Thanks, I'm gonna need it, uh..." He paused like he was forgetting something. "What's your name?" he asked sheepishly.

I then realized that even though I asked for Michael and his friends' names and they introduced themselves, I never told them mine. "Oh, I'm (Y/N)! I completely forgot to tell you guys, I'm sorry."

He laughed. "Don't be! I thought I forgot it for a second but I'm glad I didn't." I smiled at that. "Well, I've got to go find my siblings so I don't get my ass beat. See you later." With that, he was off, turning into the aisle I told him about.

I watched him go, reveling in how strange yet comfortable I felt during that conversation. It was a weird way to run into someone, but I didn't really mind talking to him. It was oddly nice.