stars will fall - byler

.18

Wednesday, July 17th || 1:48 pm
~ Mike Wheeler ~

after practice, i left my band members in the garage as i walked inside for some water. as i was grabbing a glass from the cabinet, i heard the back door opening. i turned my head and saw max walking towards me as i filled the cup up with the tap.
-"hey, you want anything?"
-"yeah, i'll have a water." she asked as i took another glass and filled it for her. i handed it to her and we leaned against the counters facing each other.
-"hey, why haven't you been answering any of our calls?" she asked as i had taken a huge gulp of water.
-"what do you mean?"
-"we've been trying to get you to hang out with us, but you don't ever answer." she explained further, making me panic.
-"yeah, i've been with el a lot these few days." i lied.
-"really? because she's been complaining that you aren't spending time with her either."
oh shit.
-"well.. i've been busy with other things." i lied while turning away and putting my glass in the sink.
-"right. well, will hasn't been hanging around us lately either. are you guys hanging out without us?"
-"what? no!" i overly defended, seeing a sarcastic look on her face as she nodded her head.
-"will and i are friends." i clarified.
-"i never thought anything different." she threw her hands up defensively.
-"he's been with troy. ive been busy practicing, okay? lay off, max." i snapped before walking around the counters and heading outside.
-"geez, looks like someone didn't get enough sleep last night." she remarked under her breath as we walked back into the garage.
-"wheeler, pick us up at 7, alright? show is at 8:30." robin ordered as her and steve walked down the driveway.
-"copy that." i waved as i began cleaning up around the garage. max playfully slapped the back of my head as she began walking towards her car.
-"later, mike. make sure you get a full 8 hours tonight, alright?" she joked.
i flipped her off as she got in her car and drove out of my driveway. i laughed to myself before i continued cleaning around.

i walked inside and heard the phone ringing from the kitchen. i wiped my hands as i walked over and held the phone to my ear.
-"yeah?"
-"mike? it's el."
-"oh, hey. are we still on for dinner tonight?" i weakly smiled.
-"yep, that's what i called about. do you think i should bring anything? like a pie or.." she asked.
-"no, my moms cooking everything. she's excited to see you, so is nancy."
-"i'm so excited too! it's been a while since we've all had dinner together. what do you think i should wear? my yellow floral dress or the blue plaid dress?"
-"um.. whatever you want." i leaned against the wall with the phone up to my ear.
-"okay, i'll decide later. hoppers dropping me off at 6:30, is that okay?"
-"sounds good, i'll see you then." i nodded.
-"bye! i love you." she chirped.
-"yeah, i love you too.." i hesitated before hanging the phone back up. i sat there for a moment while resting my head against the wall, closing my eyes. i desperately need a nap before i see her again.

as i began walking towards the stairs, the phone rang again. i groaned irritably before turning back around to answer.
-"hello?" i grunted.
-"uh, mike?" wills voice sounded concerned on the other end.
-"oh, sorry. hey, will." i chuckled.
-"hey, can i come over later?" his soft voice sang in my ears.
-"oh, i wish you could. i just have plans tonight." i sucked my teeth.
-"oh.. with el?" he paused.
-"yeah.. she's coming over for dinner." i shamefully informed him.
-"oh, okay.." he mumbled disappointingly.
-"but you can come over tomorrow. and you'll be at my show, right?"
-"yeah, dustin's taking me."
-"perfect. you can come over around noon tomorrow, my parents are gonna be at work and i'm pretty sure nancy is staying at Steve's so it'll just be us and holly."
-"okay.. cool. i'll see you tomorrow." he chuckled, sounding happier.
-"see ya, will." i felt a smile form on my lips as i hung up the phone. i closed my eyes as small laughs slipped from my mouth. i turned around and skipped over to the stairs, walking up to my room.

...

i woke up to the sound of people talking and laughing downstairs. i slowly opened my eyes and peaked over at the clock on my nightstand, seeing it was already past 6:30. i stood up and rubbed my eyes, waking myself up before i decided to head downstairs with the rest of my family.
when i reached the bottom of the stairs, i saw nancy and el laughing on the couch together but to my surprise steve was sitting with nancy as well.
i walked over and el stood up to hug me. she wore her floral yellow dress that reached her knees. she kissed my cheek before sharing a soft smile with me.
i sat down on the ottoman in front of the couch while facing steve.
-"you didn't say anything about coming tonight." i remarked as the girls discussed by themselves.
-"she invited me last minute."
-"oh." i nodded before we sat there in a moment of short silence.
-"hey, have you told eddie yet?" i whispered secretively.
-"yeah.. yesterday." he shamefully nodded.
-"oh no, how did he take it?" i gritted my teeth.
-"not well. i've never seen him cry before.. he tried to hide that he was hurt.. you know, usual eddie. it broke my heart to hurt him like that.. i did kind of like him. i just love nancy more." he mumbled.
when he began talking about it, i started to feel a heavy weight of guilt. i'm going to have to do that eventually.. with either el or will. i don't want to hurt either one of them, but i can't two time them forever. i promised Will i'd break up with el eventually, but i'm not sure i can..
-"you alright, wheeler?" he nudged my knee.
-"yeah." i nodded while forcing a smile after he had caught me zoning out.
-"guys! dinner is ready!" my mom called from the kitchen. we stood up and el locked her hand with mine as we walked towards the dining room.

we sat at the table together eating the meatloaf my mother prepared for us.
-"el, after dinner can you help me pick out my outfit for the first day of school?" holly asked from across the table.
-"holly, school isn't for another 3 weeks." nancy laughed.
-"so? it's good to be prepared."
-"sure thing, holly." el smiled before looking over at me. she placed her hand on my knee and tapped my feet with hers.
-"are you guys excited about school starting up soon?" my mom asked.
-"i am. i miss boston." nancy complained.
-"steve, where do you go to school again?"
-"hawkins community." he responded.
-"oh.." she judged before looking over at el and i.
-"what about you two? you ready for your junior year?" she smiled.
-"i'm very excited. i think i'm going to try out for cheerleading." she announced.
-"you are?" i coughed.
-"that's awesome! you know, i was on the hawkins cheer squad in high school. it was so fun, you'll love it." she encouraged her.
why would el ever want to be a cheerleader? the girls on the squad don't even like her.. is max doing it too? why else would el try out for cheerleading?
i didn't realize i was staring at her until she scrunched her face at me, confusingly. i looked away and continued eating as my family's discussions faded out of my mind.

after dinner, i waited for holly to leave el alone in my bedroom. i sat at the end of my bed while staring at the wall blankly. faint talking and laughter could be heard through the thin walls outside my bedroom. i looked over at my nightstand and saw a framed photo collage staring right at me. i scooted over and picked the small frame up, scanning all the pictures. i saw pictures of el and i, the party, and my eyes stopped when i saw wills face. his bright smile brought warmth to my heart and i didn't realize i was grinning until my door opened from behind me. i quickly put back the frame and turned towards el.
-"whatcha doin?" she walked towards me.
-"yeah, whatcha doin??" holly followed her inside.
-"get out of my room."
she groaned and stomped away to her bedroom, slamming her door. el laughed before shutting my door and walking over to my bed with me. she sat down on the opposite side and held the side of my face as she kissed my lips.
-"i've really missed you." she chuckled as her lips hovered mine. i didn't answer, instead i kissed her again. she hopped over to the same side of the bed as me without taking her lips off of mine, coming closer into my arms. she kissed me like she was desperate, i couldn't keep up with her pace. when she noticed i slowed down she slowly pulled away and gazed up in my eyes.
-"is everything okay?" she calmly asked
-"yeah." i nodded, weakly smiling.
-"mike.. is something going on? you've been really distant lately.. is there something you want to tell me?"
my mind went straight into a panic. does she know about will and i? if she does then why is she so calm?
she would be livid if she found out, there's no way she knows. just act normal.
-"no, i've just been really busy." i excused.
-"are you sure you're okay?"
-"yes, i'm positive. i'm alright."

i dont know how much longer i can lie to her, she'll kill me if she finds out.
i can't let her find out about will.