you are not alone → stranger things

xxvii. when is soon?

Friday morning
Max's POV

What the actual hell is happening to Mike? It's like Eleven's turned his brain to Jell-O. I couldn't help but wonder if they've kissed and then somehow she brainwashed him that way. I know she could probably do it.

I could see him by himself, walking into the school building early. Lucas and Dustin were both by the bike racks, clearly talking about him from the way they were looking at him.

"Hey guys," I said nervously, walking up to Lucas and Dustin.

They both looked at me with the same expression, and I wanted to wince. I was pretty sure they both liked me. Not exactly the best time for a love triangle. "Hey," Dustin said.

"Are we not talking to Mike now?" I asked to break the tension.

Lucas rolled his eyes. "I don't really want to."

Dustin sighed. "I just think we kind of overreacted." Finally, I thought to myself.

"Okay, seriously?" Lucas fired back, turning on him. "Why are you always so optimistic? Give me a break, man."

Dustin took a step back, looking offended. "Would you quit being stupid? I didn't even do anything."

Lucas looked ready to burst, and I knew I had to do something. I touched his arm lightly. "Lucas." He immediately seemed to forget Dustin and looked at my hand, still lingering by his arm. I quickly took it away. "Just, uh, calm down, okay?"

He nodded quickly, and a faint smile came to his face. "Okay."

I looked away. "I'm gonna go in early. I have a question for Mr. Clarke." Before they could say anything, I raced towards the building, hoping they wouldn't follow. And, luckily, they didn't.

Mike was already at his desk, head down. I stopped in front of it. "Are you okay?"

He looked up at me. His eyes were rimmed with red, and he looked exhausted. "I'm fine."

I frowned, but let it slide and sat down behind him. "They'll let it go soon."

He turned and looked me in the eye. "But when is soon?" Before I could reply, the bell had rung and he had already turned back around.

***

Flashback - Monday night
"Billy!" In my anger, I was willing to risk the consequences of yelling at him. I'd heard from Will today that Billy had tried to kill his older brother Jonathan, and now Jonathan was in the hospital. Will hadn't known Billy's my brother, of course. I didn't let them come to my house. Ever.

Billy turned and glared at me lazily. "What do you want now? I'm busy." He gestured to the glass of what looked like whisky clutched in his hand. Where had he gotten whisky?

"I know you tried to kill Jonathan Byers," I half-yelled. I wanted him to be sorry for something for once. He always did awful things to people - breaking them like china dolls and discarding them when he was done - and never had any remorse. Like it was his God-given right to do it.

He calmly sipped his whisky. "So what? The little shit got what he deserved. All I was doing was hitting on Nancy Wheeler. She's a babe."

I curled my hands into fists. I should have known. "You mean trying to get her to hook up with you? Oh, I've heard this before. She says no because she has a boyfriend and then you force her to, right? You rape her, Billy. That's wrong."

That horrible fury rose in his eyes, and I immediately regretted saying it. I regretted even talking to him. Billy stood and slowly put the glass on the coffee table. "I can do whatever the hell I want, bitch. Who are you to tell me?"

I watched as he came closer, his footsteps muffled by the carpet. I wished I hadn't said anything. I wished I had murmured a hello and quietly went to my room like every other day. I wished Mom was okay instead of drunk in her bedroom so this wouldn't be happening. I wished Dad was here instead of off with some slut so he could tell Billy to stop.

But it was too late for that.

The confidence I had felt earlier crumbling, I tried to back away. Billy pushed me down, sneering. "Bitch. Get up, bitch! Push me back!" His breath smelled strongly of the whisky.

I curled into a ball on the ground, trying to hide the tears that had escaped. But he had already seen. He scoffed and kicked me. "Bitch. You're so worthless. I wouldn't be surprised if you killed yourself. That would be best for all of us." And with that, he calmly went back to his chair and picked up the whisky.

Sorry for the random flashback lol I really wanted to put it in but couldn't think of a way to work it in without the chapter being suuuuuuper long
Also if you've heard Dollhouse by Melanie Martinez then you'll know where I'm getting Max's family from ;)