𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡, 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓

𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡, 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒

𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐎𝐍
NOVEMBER 1ST, 1984

The bell rang, echoing through the hallways that were once empty but now pooled with hundreds of Hawkins Middle School students. Finally, Scarlette couldn't wait to show Mr. Clark the creature that Dustin found. Maybe he would know something about it, or at least help Dustin make his weird little discovery official. She wasn't the nerd of the group, but not-so-little things like this definitely sparked her interest.

"Mike!" Scarlette waved as she spotted him in the hallway. He glanced over his shoulder, his dark eyes meeting hers. A small, tired smile tugged at his lips as he slowed his pace, waiting for her to catch up. They used to be inseparable, she and Mike—just like her and Will.

Growing up together, their bond was more like siblings than friends. Steve used to tease her about having a crush on Mike, but that was ridiculous. She'd always seen him as someone to protect, someone who'd protect her in return. But lately, something had changed. Mike was distant, wrapped up in his own world, especially since Eleven.

Scarlette fell into step beside him, her usual bright smile dimmed by the distance she now felt between them. "Hey," she greeted, trying to keep her tone light.

"Hey," Mike muttered back, his voice flat, hollow. They walked in silence, both knowing where Will would be—at his locker, methodically putting his things away, like always. But this wasn't about Will right now. She wanted to know what was going on with Mike.

Scarlette sighed, stealing a glance at Mike. "How have you been? I'm worried about you," she started, her voice softer now, more careful. She didn't want to make him mad or freak him out.

Mike shrugged, the weight of the past few months evident in his slumped posture. "I'm fine," he said, his tone detached, almost robotic- as if he wasn't even here.

Scarlette stopped abruptly, turning to face him. She wasn't going to let this go. "No, you're not. I know something's wrong, Mike." The girl fiddled with her thumbs as she spoke to him, not sure of how he would respond.

His reaction was immediate, defensive. "I told you, I'm fine!" His voice raised just enough to make her flinch. Scarlette's jaw clenched, her patience fraying. "I hear you, Mike. Every night, on that channel, calling for El."

For a moment, his face faltered, the mask of indifference cracking. But it was quickly replaced by anger. "You're spying on me?!" Mike looked absolutely livid, like he wanted to explode.

Heads turned as his voice echoed down the hallway, drawing curious glances. Scarlette winced, heat rising in her cheeks as she noticed the attention, but she refused to back down. "I'm not spying on you. I'm worried. You're not yourself, Mike. You miss her—we all do. But you're pushing us away, and it's like you don't even care anymore. We used to be best friends. What happened? Ever since El-"

"Well, maybe it's not my fault you're, like, in love with me or something!" Mike snapped, cutting the girl off.

Silence.

The hallway seemed to freeze. Scarlette's breath caught in her throat, her cheeks flushing a deep red. Her heart pounded in her ears as whispers rippled around them. He had said it loud enough for everyone to hear. The embarrassment was instant, suffocating. She could feel eyes on her, hear the murmurs growing louder. The heat rose to her cheeks even more now.

Scarlette blinked, her vision blurring with tears she refused to shed. She looked down at her feet, wishing she could just disappear, melt into the floor and never be seen again. How could he? After everything, after all the years they'd known each other? She couldn't even believe this was happening.

Her voice, when it came, was small, but laced with anger. "Are you kidding me? You know damn well that's not true." Her voice cracked, but she swallowed hard, steeling herself. "I don't care about Dustin's stupid discovery anymore. Don't talk to me unless it's a code red. Bye, Michael."

She turned on her heel, storming to her locker, the whispers still echoing in her ears. Grabbing her bag, she headed for the parking lot, her chest tight with a whirlwind of emotions. Anger, hurt, embarrassment. Mike knew she'd never seen him like that. He knew she'd always thought of him like a brother. And still, he'd thrown it in her face.

Fuck that.

a/n
short chap🙂‍↔️