stars will fall - byler

.20

i parked my car outside of bonnie's after spending some time circling around the parking lot to find a spot. i got out and met up with dustin and lucas by the front doors.
-"where's el?" i asked as we walked inside and began to head to a table.
-"i'm not sure, she didn't ask for a ride." lucas mentioned. we sat down at the back tables next to each other as we waited for the show to start.
i glanced at my watch to check the time and saw we only had to wait a few more minutes.
i looked up at the stage and saw them scattered around, setting everything up. max and mike were talking and the more i analyzed, it looked like they were arguing. she had looked angry and it was hard to tell what he was feeling.
they turned away from each other and mike walked over to his spot in front of the mic stand. he looked up into the crowd and met my eyes as he threw the guitar over his body. he smiled and slightly waved. i contained the huge grin slipping as i waved back. he turned away and walked off somewhere and i looked towards my two friends who were talking.

-"hey, so you and mike made up, right?" dustin nudged my shoulder.
-"yeah, we did."
-"is that why you've both been MIA? do you hang out without inviting us?" he jokingly laughed.
my heart sunk and i didn't know how to respond. i came up with the quickest response i could.
-"what? no, i've been busy. mikes been with el." i stammered, seeing a puzzled look on their faces.
the lights had dimmed and the music started playing so we looked away from each other and watched the stage. i smiled when i realized they were doing a cover of Lithium. Nirvana is mikes favorite band ever, he's been dying to see them in concert since their album came out.
seeing mike play the guitar and do what he loves brings so much joy to my heart. he looks so happy up there and he's so amazing at it..

the way the lighting made him look so much more attractive and the way he sung into the mic.. it drove me insane how good he looked.
just seeing him up there made me fall for him harder than before.

-"i miss you, i'm not gonna crack. i love you, i'm not gonna crack. i killed you i'm not gonna crack." he made eye contact with me as he sung into the mic, making my stomach flutter. he smiled as he continued playing, but when the song ended the bar filled with cheering. i clapped my hands together as a smile appeared on my face when i noticed mike was still looking at me.

...

we walked behind the building where they were loading the van with equipment. max ran up to lucas and jumped in his arms, kissing him. dustin ran up to steve and robin and mike stood across from me, sharing a thrilling smile with me. we walked up to each other and hugged as friendly as possible around our friends. he pulled away and we made intense eye contact before he looked around behind me.
-"is el not here?" he asked.
-"no, she never showed up." lucas answered. i looked back at mike and noticed him and max sharing a look with max. he looked guilty..
-"well, we're hitching a ride with dustin. let's go. great night, guys!" steve slapped his back and began dragging him back to the parking lot.
-"lucas, can i go with you?" max asked as she held onto his arm and they began walking away, leaving mike and i alone in the empty alley. we kept eye contact in silence and i laughed as i didn't know what to say.
-"you were really great." i took a few steps towards him.
-"was i?"
-"mhm." i nodded smiling. he slowly walked closer to me until there was no room left in between us.
-"i loved seeing your face in the crowd. i want to see it more often from now on." he whispered as he dazed into my eyes, pulling my arms over his shoulders.
-"copy that." i chuckled and noticed his eyes darting between my lips and eyes. my breathing became sharper as i waited anxiously for his lips to meet mine, but i liked the comfort of this moment. we were alone, there was nobody around to stop us from doing anything..
i leaned forward first and kissed him, soaking up the moment with him. his lips were soft even after being dehydrated. he deepened the kiss at a faster pace and it became harder to breathe. he ran his fingers through my hair as i felt his tongue lightly slip in my mouth. he's never kissed me like this before, he seemed off.. but i was too caught up in the moment to complain. we eventually pulled away and pressed our foreheads together to catch our breath. his hands gripping onto the back of my neck as we stayed in that position. he looked up and pressed both hands under my jaw on my upper neck. his eyes met mine as a soft and kind smirk spread on his lips. it was in this moment that convinced me he was in love, just as i was. i was so in love and i knew he was too. i just wish i could tell him.
-"i'll see you at lucas' tomorrow, okay?" he mumbled, rubbing his thumb against my cheek.
-"okay.. bye." i smiled before turning and walking away.