Listened to too much Taylor
So you already know
Even though Mike Wheeler and River Harrington hated one another more than they could even describe right now - the school schedule didn't serve to them.
So yes, they still had gym class together. Eighth grade just started, Will was back and everything was great except for the fact that River and Mike have yet to speak since that night.
The girls and boys were separated, thankfully. River could not stand to be around him anymore than she already was. Even standing across the gym from him had ached her.
He looked so calm. So him, and maybe she did too but inside she was a mess.
She hated him right now, because he hated her. If Mike Wheeler did something as simple as call her - she'd go crawling back. She never even considered the act of making him earn her back, not like she did later.
Mike though, he stood next to Andy Morris, a well known jerk. At least to Mike. Since the year started, Mike watched Andy and his friends in gym class as they dominated, and more importantly - he watched Andy watch river.
In volleyball, River usually stood towards the back - as did Mike. Today, she was more involved though. Maybe because Steve told her this morning she needed to start participating more, or maybe because she wanted to let things out in a healthy way, much more healthy than her usual ways.
River was put into a group of 5 other girls, and on the opposing team was a total of 6 boys as well, two of them being Andy Morris and Mike Wheeler.
Andy purposely stood on Rivers side, in the front as well and he flashed a small smile at her that she didn't notice as she fixed her short, used gym shorts along with her socks.
The worst part of gym was the fact that boys as well, wore the small shorts and t shirt combo. Andy Morris hated it, he picked at his shirt in a way like Mike did and was forced to stop once his friend had tossed the ball to Mike.
"What?" Mike tilted his head, tossing the ball to Andy.
"Kids in the front don't serve." Andy softly spoke, and Mike quietly sighed, taking the ball and serving it as quickly as he could.
The rally was a lot better than the boys had expected, and River almost forgot how much she liked volleyball.
Her spike was followed by one back from Andy, and his smiled faded just aa the ball hit River straight in the face, causing her to fall back.
It was quiet for a second, Andy's mouth fell open and he had never felt so terrible. Everyone in the room, including Andy, turned to Mike. Not just because they knew of him and River, but because after years of watching River look after him - they assumed he'd do the same.
Mike glanced around awkwardly, fixing his hair before jogging over, his heart racing as he neared the girl.
River held her nose that bled, she stared down and just at the touch of her shoulder, she knew it was Mike.
"R," he began, only to get her nudging away from him in response. "River. I'll take you to the - "
He reached for her once again, sighing and River got up slowly, glancing at him and squinting her eyes. Mike knew what that meant.
Andy now slowly walked over, and as Mike watched that, he held onto River's arm again, trying to help her.
In result, River had pushed him off, groaning and rolling her eyes. Mike fell back and she gasped internally at the sight. She felt bad as his cheeks grew pink but she never said anything.
Andy now allowed her to hold onto his arm, and led her out the gym. She wouldn't remember this later, and that's just what Mike hoped for.
The last thing he heard as they walked away was Andy speaking softly to her. "Listen I'm sorry. I got too into the game, but I never meant to hit you." He now took the tissue Mr. Sanders brought over in a panic before sending them off, and held it to her nose, as she slowly looked up, taking it from him with a small smile.
"It's okay." She responded, and Andy nodded awkwardly.
Mike got up, gulping and he watched them until the door shut behind them.
Andy Morris is just2cute he will
be getting a love interest tapes 5
