Not Evelyn. ~ max x fem oc (wlw)

✩ 2 · Nightmare in Elm Street ✩

Halloween. Evelyn had always loved the holiday, but this year felt different. There were no plans, no costumes, and no excitement. Her brother had opted to go to some grown-up party instead of spending the evening with her. She tried not to let it bother her, but the thought of spending the night alone stung more than she wanted to admit.

Sitting in class, Evelyn pointlessly doodled in her notebook, her pencil moving aimlessly across the page. She was lost in her thoughts when a loud thwack broke her concentration. A hand slammed down on her desk, making her jump. Looking up, she saw Lucas Sinclair standing in front of her, dressed as a Ghostbuster. Behind him stood Dustin and Will, wearing matching costumes, and farther back, leaning against a table, was Mike Wheeler—the last of their group.

Evelyn blinked at them, surprised. She hadn't spoken to them in a long time, not since everything in Hawkins had gone to hell. For a while, they'd all been close—well, as close as she thought they could be. Like her, they were considered freaks at school. That shared label had drawn them together. At first, she'd only hung out with them during lunch or in the hallways. Then they'd started inviting her to watch their D&D sessions, though Mike had been reluctant at first. His parents didn't want her around, or so he claimed, though Evelyn suspected it was really Mike himself who didn't.

He ended up growing fond of her as she and Will grew closer. One day, Mike found her at Will's house, and they spent the evening together after Will insisted she stay. Mike seemed to ease up over time, and she apreatiated that.

But things had changed when Will disappeared. The chaos that followed—the portal, the monsters, Eleven—had brought them closer together. Evelyn had been the one to talk to Eleven the most, while the others argued over what to do about her. She'd admired Eleven's powers, even as they scared her. And when Eleven died—Or so they thought. Evelyn had cried a lot that night. Not just for Eleven, but for what her death symbolized—the end of the fragile connection Evelyn had with the boys. Slowly, inevitably, she drifted away from them.

"We need your help," Lucas said, breaking through her thoughts.

Evelyn raised an eyebrow but stayed silent, waiting for him to elaborate.

"You've talked to Max, right?" he asked, shifting uncomfortably under her gaze.

"Yeah... well, not much," Evelyn replied cautiously. "Why?"

Lucas hesitated. "Nothing. We just, uh... well, first of all, do you like her?"

Evelyn's eyes widden in irritation. "Oh my god, do you fall in love with every girl you see only because you like girls?"

Lucas flinched at her tone. "No, but you—"

"Me, what?" she snapped, cutting him off. She was aware of what was wrong about her, but she also hated how people assumed she was into every girl in town.

"Nothing," Lucas mumbled, looking like he wanted to disappear. He started to turn away, but Dustin nudged him forward again, earning an annoyed glare.

Lucas sighed and tried again. "Could you... ask Max if she wants to go trick-or-treating with us tonight?" He asked, and Dustin nudged him again. "Please?" He added.

Evelyn blinked, caught off guard. "Why would I, exactly?" she asked, masking her surprise with sarcasm. She barely knew Max—why would they think she could help?

Lucas and Dustin exchanged nervous glances, clearly struggling to find an answer. Will glanced at Mike, who was still leaning against the table, arms crossed. Mike didn't look too thrilled about the plan.

"And why are you dressed like that?" Evelyn asked, pointing at their Ghostbuster costumes.

"It's Halloween?" Dustin replied, uncertainly.