"Foolish Dreamers" Michael Afton x Reader

𝓢𝓸 𝓜𝓾𝓬𝓱 𝓣𝓲𝓶𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓗𝓘𝓜?! (Ch. 7)

Thursday
November 22, 1984 1:00 A.M.

Michael and Y/N stepped out of the dimly lit pizzeria and were immediately met with cheers from the group. CJ, with her wild hair falling out of its bun, was the first to let out a loud whoop. "Look at that! She did it!" she yelled, clapping her hands together. Annie smiled brightly, her warm brown eyes gleaming behind her glasses, while Jason chuckled softly, shaking his head with an amused look.

"You're one of us now, Y/N!" CJ declared, her voice full of mischief, throwing an arm around Y/N's shoulders. Her energy was infectious, and even though Y/N felt a little out of her element, she couldn't help but laugh.

Annie nodded in agreement, her large Afro swaying as she tilted her head. "You handled it like a pro," she said, her tone kind but playful. "I was worried you'd back out."

"Guess we'll have to raise the stakes next time," Jason added with a grin, his tone light but teasing.

As the group celebrated, Y/N glanced over at Michael. He had already slipped back into his corner, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. His usual smirk was gone, replaced by a subtle, almost unnoticeable smile. It wasn't one of his sarcastic smirks, but something softer, as if he was amused by the whole situation but content to observe from a distance.

Jeremy stepped forward, taking the Polaroid camera from Y/N's hands with an exaggerated bow. "I'll put this back before someone actually notices it's missing," he said with a wink, his tone easygoing as always. He gave her a friendly pat on the shoulder before jogging off toward the back entrance.

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Y/N settled down with the group, the atmosphere more relaxed now that she had passed their little initiation with the Polaroid. CJ, the ever-talkative one, quickly took charge of the conversation, leaning forward with a grin as she began to dig into the "get to know each other" part of the night.

"So, fun fact: Jason and I? We're originally from England," CJ started, nudging her brother who offered a small, knowing smile. "But we don't have the accent anymore, sadly. Grew up in California for most of our lives before moving out here."

"California will do that to you," Jason added quietly, taking a swig of his beer.

Y/N nodded, listening intently. It was odd to think of them, and Michael, all having such different backgrounds, yet they seemed so... in sync with each other.

Annie chimed in next. "I'm a Utah native, though. Born and raised. Actually, I go to Hurricane High too. Senior year. It's wild, but you get used to it."

"That's right," CJ cut back in, clearly the center of the group's banter. "Jeremy here was homeschooled, though, just like Michael."

Jeremy gave a half-smile but said nothing as he sipped his beer.

CJ didn't stop there. "Now, Michael—" she started, but her words were cut short by a quick, sharp glance from Michael. It wasn't aggressive, just enough to remind her to keep some things to herself. He leaned casually against the wall, his long mullet still catching the faint glow of the lights as he raised an eyebrow in silent communication.

CJ nodded, acknowledging the hint with a slight smirk before smoothly changing the subject. "Anyway, Y/N, what about you? You'll be going to Hurricane High, right? Or are you signing up for one of the less popular schools?"

Y/N felt the shift but didn't push. CJ's voice carried the easy confidence of someone who was used to steering conversations, while the others quietly nursed their beers, letting her take the lead. She gave a small nod, smiling lightly. "Yeah, Hurricane High. Starting Monday."