Opposites attract (Mike W.)

CHAPTER FIFTY FOUR

Act 4~Chapter 7: Max's letters

Steve had came back down stairs in a slight mood after being forced to babysit once again as Nancy and Robin came downstairs (Robin in a completely different outfit that looked a lot more professional than what she originally was wearing) to say goodbye and to grab a walkie talkie in case anything happens for quick and easy contact.

About half an hour after the two girls had left, they were still sat in the basement in silence whilst Max was still sat at the desk doing whatever she was doing. Mike, Avery and Steve were sat on the sofa and Dustin and Lucas were sat on the two chairs next to it, all five of them staring at the back of Max's head.

"I know you guys are staring at me," the red head said, still not turning around.

"What, sorry?"
"Huh?"
"You said you needed something?"
"Just hanging out."

"How you think your eyes boring into the back of my head is protecting me from Vecna, I don't know," she said, collecting whatever she was doing and turning around in her chair and standing up, walking towards them. However, the five of them were trying to not look at Max. Steve was throwing a ball in the air, Dustin and Lucas were reading, and Mike and Avery were sharing a random magazine that Nancy had left down there, not necessarily paying attention to what it was actually about.

"You can look at me now," Max allowed, shrugging.

"Thank you. Sorry."
"Sorry."
"Sorry."
"Sorry."

They all put their distractions down and looked back to their friend. Max sighed and shuffled through some papers that were in her hand and picked some out.

"For you," she said, handing one to Dustin, "For you," she moved onto Steve, "You guys," she passed two to Mike and Avery, "And, um, you." she passed a final one to Lucas, "Oh, and, um, Ava, give these to El and Will when you get back to California," she passed two letters to Avery.

"Oh... Um, I don't know if that's a good idea," Avery said, knowing she may not be here by the end of spring break.

"Why?" Max asked.

"My..." she thought, "I'm just that clumsy, I'll just
y'know, lose them."

"Yeah, okay. Mike can you look after them and just give them to Ava when she leaves?" Max asked, moving them to Mike.

"Yeah," he grabbed them, "What are they anyway?"

"They're--" she began, before she saw Dustin start opening his, "What are you doing? No, don't. That's not for now. Don't open it now."

"Don't... okay," Dustin apologised, closing the letter.

"So what are they?" Avery asked.

"It's, um... it's a fail-safe," she explained, "For after. If things don't work out."

"Wait, whoa. Max, things are gonna work out," Lucas said.

"No!" the red haired girl shook her head, "No, I don't need you to reassure me and tell me it's all gonna work out. Because, people have been telling me that my entire life and it's almost never true. It's never true. I mean of course this asshole curses me. Should've seen that one coming."