𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐄'𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕
── .✦ I sit down at my usual spot at the table, and everyone else finds a seat. My mom comes out of the kitchen with a plate of steak, and she sets it in the middle of the table. We all fill our plates with food, and eat in comfortable silence. Of course we're all beyond joyed to see the Byers again, but what is there to say? My mom and Joyce chat a bit, mostly about what their plan was now that they're back in Hawkins. Will is enrolling into the high school, and Johnathan is already searching for a job. Joyce is also looking for a job, but she says she's not having as much luck.
I tune out their conversation after they switch to talking about girl stuff, which I do not want to hear. I glance over at Will, who is happily chewing on his food. He doesn't even look nervous, but I know I would be. A new school, even if you know a lot of people that go there, is super challenging. No, Will doesn't worry about that. Why would he? He's nearly died like three times, why would he be nervous about something as simple as this? I like that about him. He's insanely brave, and he can protect himself. I used to think I was just envious of him, but it's more of an...admiration? If that makes sense. Whatever, I'm just rambling on. I look away from Will and focus on my food as I stab at the various vegetables on my plate.
After everyone is finished with their food, I help my mom clean up everything as everyone else runs to their rooms. "Thanks Mike." My mom thanks me and smiles big at me when I put the last plate in the dishwasher. I rush up the stairs, heading to the guest room to go see El. I stand in the doorframe, watching as she unpacks her clothes from her suitcase. I let out a loud ahem to get her attention. She looks up, noticing me leaning on the doorframe as I watch her.
"Hey Mike." She says, smiling up at me as she finishes up unpacking. She zips her suitcase shut and stands up, grabbing the suitcase and dragging it over to the closet in the corner, stuffing it in. She then turns to me, wandering her way across the room until she reaches me.
"Hey, El. How are you?" I ask nonchalantly, pushing off the doorframe as I fully step into the room.
"I'm great." She grins at me, draping her arms over my shoulders. She hugs my neck, pulling me closer to her. I carefully place my hands on her waist, and we stare at each other for a while. She pulls her hand back to stroke it over my left cheek. We both lean in for a kiss, the distance between us slowly closing in. Our lips collide, and I feel her soft lips touch mine. We've done this a thousand times before, but it seems unfamiliar now, like this is something new to us. Sure, it's been three years, but it almost seems...no.
We part lips, and I look into her bright colored eyes. "It's, um, getting late." I say, detaching my hands from her hips. A look of sadness is present on her face, and she reluctantly removes her hands from me.
"I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight Mike." She says shyly, stepping away from me. I walk backwards out of the door.
"Goodnight, El." I whisper, grabbing the door and slowly shutting it. I sigh, staying frozen outside of the door for a moment before turning around and heading to my room. I almost forgot Will was staying in my room, so I jumped slightly when I saw him seated at my desk. He was scribbling away in his sketchbook, a pair of black headphones blasting music into his ears. He doesn't notice me walk in, and he continues to sketch. I can't help it as my mouth twists up into a grin as I watch him, contently drawing as if nothing else mattered.
I make my way to my closet, pulling out some blankets and sheets for me. I drop them on the ground next to the bed, on top of the sleeping bag. As I unravel the blankets and spread them across the floor, I can hear the faint music coming out of Will's headphones and him humming along. I can't detect exactly what song it is, it's too quiet. Regardless, I listen quietly as I finish up with the blankets, adjusting them slightly until I'm satisfied. I look out the window to see darkness, so I assume it's around 10pm. I glance over at Will to see him shut his sketchbook, putting away his coloring tools. His headphones stay in place as he slightly bobs his head to the music, cleaning all his things off the desk.
After that's done, he slides his headphones off his head and they now rest on his shoulders. Still not noticing me, he heads out to the bathroom, presumably going to get changed and brush his teeth. I wait until he's gone to change into my pajamas. I lay on top of the sleeping bag, staring at the ceiling. Now that it's completely silent, I listen to my thoughts.
Why does it suddenly feel that way when I kiss El? Maybe I've just gotten used to only seeing her through pictures and hearing her through a phone, so I need to familiarize with...her again. Ugh, I don't know! Why do I have to feel so weird?! I just want to be a normal teenager with a normal life and normal feelings, but that seems impossible now. The worst part is I don't even know why! I cover my face with my hands, shutting my eyes. I groan, trying to rid my head of bad thoughts.
Will comes back, now in his pajamas. He looks at me guilty, stopping before he gets on the bed. "Are you sure you-"
"Will I told you it's completely fine, now get in the bed." I cut him off, reassuring him that I was comfortable. He nods, still looking a little unsure. He turns to switch off the lights, and then he climbs onto the bed, pulling the sheets over his body. I climb into the sleeping bag, fixing the sheets as I get situated. After that, I turn to the side, staring at the darkness. It takes a little for me to actually get tired, so I just lay they waiting. I can tell Will has already fallen asleep, his loud breaths are able to be heard. I feel my eyelids start to get heavy, and I close my eyes as I drift to sleep.
