When Writers Bleed On Paper

Do You Wish You Could Still Touch Him...? (Part 2)

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Characters: Mike Wheeler x Will Byers 

Setting: Aged-Up Characters/ High School Reunion 

Romantic: No

Story Type: Hurt/No Comfort

Inspired By: Boyfriend by Coin 

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Mike Wheeler had never been to a class reunion in his life, which honestly wasn't too surprising giving that you only remember so much of your school years. Still, this was his high school reunion, and the clearest memory he has for this time is also about the worst memory of his whole life. Maybe, with 38 years old, he should have his fucking life together, but instead he is in the middle of a divorce and custody battle with his ex-wife. If he was honest with himself, he wished to lose the custody battle over their seven-year-old son, simply because his own life was too messed up for a child to take part in. 

A look at the clock told him that he was really running late, like really fucking late. Rushing out of the bathroom with only towel dried hair, Mike went to his bedroom and, hesitated. It's his high school reunion which meant he would for sure be there and that shouldn't matter to him after all these years, but with a heavy heart herealized that he had never really stopped mattering to him, no matter how hard he tried. 

And now he was really running late. Great, just great. What do you wear to such an event? A blazer and tie? Too formal, but a t-shirt and jeans were probably too casual. Defeated, Mike walked out of the room and to the kitchen where his phone was laying, a BlackBerry, the last thing he had bought while still together with his ex-wife. Immediately he called the only person who could save him now. 

The phone rang for a moment, there was a click and the Lucas voice came through the speaker. He sounded stressed, and there was rustling in the background. "Hey Mike! Why'd you call? We're gonna see each other at the reunion in an hour anyway, or have you forgotten that?" 

Mike laughed, just slightly offended. "Nah, I didn't forget. I actually wanted to talk to your wife, is she available?" Lucas hummed in response and then there was some more rustling and shuffling, the phone was passed from one person to another and then Max's voice filled Mikes ears. 

"Hey Mike, what's up?" 

"Well, I'm kind of having a crisis over here. What do you wear to a reunion? I've been thinking a tie and a blazer but that feels a little overdressed..." 

There was a long sigh on the other end, and Mike could picture Max pinching the bridge of her nose. "This is because Will will be there, right?" Mike gulped. Max knew him too well for his own good. "I know I fucked it up and there's no way of fixing it-" 

"No, there really isn't. Listen Mike, just leave him alone tonight, and maybe he will come talk to you, but don't pressure him, ok?"He couldn't answer, a lump forming in his throat just thinking about him. 

"And now to your clothing crises. I agree, a tie is way too formal. Just go for something casual but chic," Mike decided to not mention that he didn't have a clue what 'casual chic' meant. "I would go for some jeans, a turtleneck and a jacket. Not too formal, not to casual. What do you think?" 

"Yeah, sounds good. Thanks, Max, I'll see you later." And with that he ended the call, ignoring the bitter taste it left behind in his mouth as he assemble the outfit Max had told him to wear. It looked nice, really, it just felt nothing like Mike, though maybe that was good. Maybe this way, Will would see that he had changed.

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The whole car ride long, Mike felt his hands shaking against the steering wheel. When he passed the sign reading 'Hawkins Indiana' he felt dizzy with horrible memories flooding his brain. It was only ten more minutes till he would reach Hawkins high school, but for some reason the time seemed to slow down the closer he got. Looking to his right, he expected to see the flower field, their flower field. The place where everything started and ended, but instead he saw pristine white houses all looking the same. The sight made him feel angry and relieved at the same time. It was another change, another sign that nothing was the same anymore.