𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋'𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕
── .✦ I walk over to Mike, taking in his appearance. I take a deep breath, stopping in front of him. He's much taller now, but so am I. I'm about a foot or two shorter than him, which is not surprising. His hair was as dark as I remember, and he's grown it out a bit so it's about shoulder length. It definitely looks good on him, but he looks good in anything regardless. His brown eyes meet mine for a split second before he glances down at the floor. I see the nervousness on his face, and the feeling is definitely mutual.
"Um, hey Mike." I finally say. He looks up at me, making eye contact again. God, it's been so long since i've seen him. Is he still the same old Mike he was before, or has he changed? Everyone else in the group seemed to be their normal self, and acted like 3 years hadn't passed since we've last seen each other. It probably will be very different, and I know some crazy shit will happen. I'm starting to wonder if moving back was even a good idea.
"Hey Will." Mike interrupts my thoughts as he replies, giving me a warm smile. "So, um, it's good to see you!" He says. Oh, who am I kidding? Of course he's the same old Mike that's been my best friend since that day on the swings. I have nothing to worry about! Today is the start of a new era in my life, and I'm overjoyed that it's going to be a good one.
"Yeah, totally." I return the smile, and we both instinctively lean in for a hug. As we wrap our arms around each other, all the bad thought's are cleared in my head, and now all I'm thinking about is how i've missed Mike so much, and he's finally here, hugging me. The hug seems to last forever as I smell the familiar scent of Hawkins coming off of him. It reminds me of those days as a kid where we would hang out in Mike's basement playing D&D for hours on end, none of us wanting to stop until we finish our campaign. Those were the memories I try to remember in relation to my childhood, and not the other memories of getting trapped and almost killed in the Upside Down. All that was over now though, and we can all have a great time living in Hawkins without anything to worry about. It was over.
I pull away from Mike, but I wish I could just stay in his arms forever. We stand there awkwardly next to each other, neither of us saying anything. I watch everyone greet each other like old times. I hope my mom can finally settle down and not worry about things so much all the time. Who knows, maybe she'll meet someone. Johnathan, he's just completely lost his way. I can't even remember the last time i've had a real meaningful conversation with him. He's gotten more distant, so hopefully Nancy or even someone else can help him. As for me, I feel like I'm the only sane one in the house most of the time. Now that we're staying at the Wheeler's for a while, maybe I won't be the one who has to do everything.
Speaking of staying with the Wheeler's, I have no idea where I'm sleeping. I'm assuming I'll probably share the spare room with my mom so El and Mike sleep together since they're, ahem, dating. No, I'm not jealous of El. She deserves someone great like Mike, not me. I'm completely fine!
"Alright children, let's go." My mom raises and claps her hands up in the air, walking forward to get in front of us all. "Nancy, I'll drive your car and take you, Mike, El, Will and Johnathan." Nancy nods. "The rest of you go the way you came." My mom claps one more time before we all follow her out of the airport, me and Johnathan dragging the heavy suitcases with us. We all go separate ways, and now only me, my brother, El, Nancy and Mike are following her. Nancy leads the way to her car, and my mom gets in the front seat. Nancy gets in the passenger seat, and I get in the middle seat with Johnathan, leaving Mike to sit in the back with El with the suitcases. It's a painfully slow ride to the Wheeler's house with El and Mike giggling and whispering in the back. I think I heard them kiss a few times, which grosses me out. I sigh, leaning on my elbow to look out the window, trying to tune out the people in the back.
We finally arrive at the Wheeler's, and it looks exactly the same as it did when we were younger. Everyone hops out, and we grab the suitcases before we head inside. Nancy fumbles the keys around in her hand before unlocking and opening the door, holding it for everyone coming inside.
"Joyce and El, you take the guest room." Nancy announces. What? I hesitantly give my mom the suitcase I was holding with their clothes in it with a confused look on my face.
"But wouldn't me and my mom take the guest room?" I question as my mom and El already disappeared up the stairs.
"That's what I said!" Mike agrees, stepping next to me.
"Micheal, you are not sharing a room with a girl." Nancy says sternly, giving Mike a cold gaze. "Now help Will take the other suitcase to your room." She orders. Mike groans and turns to me, taking one handle on the suitcase. Wow, okay, so he doesn't want to share a room with me. That's not hurtful at all. Once we finally manage to drag the suitcase up the stairs and into Mike's room, he plops down on his bed with a tired look on his face.
"Listen, I can convince Nancy to change her mind if you-" "No, no, no, it's okay! Really, I don't mind sharing a room with you. I guess I just automatically assumed me and El would sleep in my room." He interrupts before I finish my sentence. I nod and walk to sit down next to Mike on his bed. We sit next to each other in silence.
"So, if-" "When, um-" "You, uh, sleep-" "Where-" "Do you-" We burst out laughing after both of us try to talk at the same time. "You go first." I tell him.
"Well, I was just wondering if you wanted to take the bed, and I'll sleep on the floor." He offers.
"Mike, I'm going to be staying her for a while, I don't want you to sleep on the floor in your own home. You can sleep on your bed and I'll sleep on the floor." I say. He tries to argue but I stop him. I think for a moment before coming up with an idea. "How about we switch then?" I ask.
"Yeah, sure." He agrees, nodding his head while scratching the back of his neck. "I'll take the floor today though. Don't say no." He says before I make a comment. We both go quiet again, staring at the floor.
"Come down for dinner!" I hear Mrs. Wheeler shout. Me and Mike instinctively get up and head downstairs to eat.
