"Foolish Dreamers" Michael Afton x Reader

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓣𝓻𝓾𝓽𝓱 (Ch.4)

Wednesday
November 21, 1984 7:16 P.M.

Y/N stared at her cousin with a look of shock, but more than anything suspicion. Joyce was always odd when it came to mentioning Michael. . .something Y/N was beginning to notice with the way Joyce seemed to tiptoe about what she would and wouldn't tell Y/N.

Y/N wasn't one to lose trust easily, but she was the type to jump to conclusions based on what was presented to her. A good example would be Michael. She knows it's harsh to judge someone so rashly, but maybe it was the fact that she wasn't back at home that made her so mistrusting to her new surroundings.

Maybe she was homesick?

Maybe she just couldn't convince her mind to relax like her body had in this place. .

It was difficult to explain. I hated this more when Joyce stared at me back with a soft expression as if knowing what I was thinking. I shouldn't be so hesitant with my own cousin.

But. . .

She seemed to explain things vaguely to me. EVERYTHING. Even with Michael's incident. . . I noticed how quick she was to talk about it in a dissociative manner. Oh god don't tell me I semi liked an ex of hers!

Is that why she doesn't like him so much? He is an ex?

Y/N's suspicion turned into sympathy once it seemed to dawn on her that there was a possibility Michael and Joyce dated and just as her lips parted to ask, Joyce interrupted.

"No. No I didn't, I didn't- it wasn't. . .it wasn't with Michael. I- at least. . .not in my eyes." Joyce stammered with her words as she spoke softly with a tone of  'please believe me.'

Y/N's tense posture faltered as her shoulders slouched and she took soft steps towards Joyce. Slowly sitting down beside Joyce on her bed as she looked to the side and spoke more hesitantly.

"Then. . .what did you mean by "not exactly?" If it wasn't some love story in your eyes. What happened? I. . .know it's intruding, but you make everything sound so vague, Joy."

Y/N spoke in the same quiet tone, admitting to Joyce that her behavior towards the topic of Michael seemed so obviously vague like there was more than what her words lead.

Joyve shifted on the bed, letting out a small, awkward laugh as she ran a hand through her black hair.

"Okay, so. . .it was messy, stupid and. . SO middle school," she started, her voice lighter and trying to set a scene for Y/N.

"Back then, I was kind of into this guy. . .Simon. He was sadly one of Michael's friends. He was the whole package to me. Tall, really smart, funny, and quiet. I thought he was. . .well, you know, the whole mysterious guy thing." Joyce's cheeks flustered red in embarrassment as she began to recall how stupid that was now that she looked back at it.

Y/N raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the story, but she didn't comment since she was as quiet as a mouse ready to hear the tale.

"So obviously, Simon was my main focus. I had this HUGE crush on him for what felt like forever, and I was. .pretty fucking obvious about it," Joyce admitted with a sheepish smile and an embarrassed tone.

"Michael was always around since he and Simon were practically besties from a different era type of thing. I didn't really pay attention to Michael, to be honest. Not in that way nor friendly way. Simon was my boo basically." Joyce said with an embarrassed laugh. She let out an exaggerated sigh as she continued.

"But here's where things got complicated. Like I said. Messy, stupid, very middle school." Joyce's smile faded slightly as she continued. "Simon ended up rejecting me. I was heartbroken at the time- felt like it was the end of the world you know? Not like I'm emo and depressed, but like was I THAT ugly??" She said slightly annoyed before chuckling as she hummed.