✓ Wake Up, Mike ⇔ Mileven {1st - "Wake Up, Mike" Trilogy}

Eighteen

Mike.

The car ride was short but filled with conversation. My mom and I were assuring El that the doctor's office wasn't that bad when only getting a checkup. She still looked scared, but nodded anyway.

We walked inside and my mom signed us in while El and I took a seat. She was looking around at everyone with big eyes, obviously fascinated by all the different people. She's probably fascinated by everything, if you think about it. She was locked up her whole life.

El's legs started bouncing, which surprised me slightly. I've never seen her move so much when sitting still. She's normally so firm and barely moves.

"Hey, El, it's ok. I'll be in there with you. I'll hold your hand the whole time," I whispered to her, giving her a small, reassuring smile. She looked over at me and let out a deep breath before smiling widely. So pretty.

"Thank you, Mike," She whispered back, then continued to look around the room.

"Hey, I've been meaning to ask you, what do you want to do with your hair? You can let it grow out, if you want, or you could shave it again." I probably brought this up at a weird time, but I want to distract her a bit. Get her mind off her nerves.

She gave me a long, troubled look. She obviously didn't know exactly what she wanted and just wanted other people's opinions.

"I want to be pretty," She spoke quietly, and I gave her a shy smile.

"You already are. Your hair doesn't determine whether you're pretty or not," I assured, grabbing her hand and giving it a small squeeze. She smiled just as shyly.

"What do you want me to do?" She asked, and I looked down at my lap while I contemplated that.

"Honestly, I liked it shaved. But it's your hair, you need to choose," I admitted, but I knew she would do whatever I said I liked. She's just worried about her appearance, which I understand. People called her a freak and I'm sure she knows what that means.

"I'll shave it." She gave me a big smile, and I smiled back. I nodded, giving her hand another squeeze.

"El...Eleven?" We both looked up and saw a very confused nurse. I stood up, our linked hands causing El to stand, as well. She was nervous again.

We all walked back and my mom took a seat in one of the chairs.

"Sit up there, please," The nurse said, pointing to the weird table-bed thing that has the annoying paper on it. I lead El over and she sat down slowly, the crinkling causing her to make a weird face. I almost laughed, but I feel like that'd be awkward with the nurse in here.

The nurse was at the counter and when she turned around, her eyes landed on me.

"You can take a seat, you don't have to stand." She smiled, but I shook my head.

"She's really nervous and she'd feel better if I stayed with her," I explained, and I saw her glance at our linked hands. She nodded, not questioning it.

She did all the routine stuff that the nurses do that's boring. Just asked questions and most of the time didn't get any answers. She was done quickly.

"So, are you siblings?" The nurse asked as she finished writing, and all three of us got big eyes.

"Uh, no, no. Just...friends. Really good friends," I rushed out, then glanced at El. She was looking at me with awkward eyes and it made me feel a weird sense of guilt. I'm not sure why, it's not like we're dating. But sometimes I want to, and that look she gave me made me believe she wants the same. Even if she doesn't know the real term, I think she wants it to be that way.