discontinued. The Way We Live Now ⇔ Mileven {3rd - "Wake Up, Mike" Trilogy}

Four

Plz no one fact check my science lolol I suck at knowledge

Mike.

"Guys, come on, I just wanted to win a campaign for once!" I yelled, and Max rolled her eyes exaggeratedly.

"That's no reason to bring in a monster and have it end the game, a repeat of the exact event that ruined all of our lives!" Max yells, then sits back as her face goes slack. "Ok, not mine or El's, but pretty much everyone else."

"Guys, don't argue. That'll only make things worse. All we can do is wait, and enjoy our night." El speaks calmly, and I throw my hands up in the air.

"Guys, you act as if our game of Dungeons and Dragons is what caused that to happen! You act as if the Demogorgon was actually the Demogorgon. That was all a coincidence!" I yelled, and Will had his turn to yell, which was the ending statement.

"I don't care if it was coincidence or not, Mike! I just don't like to risk it, how about that? I'm so sorry for being uneasy about the situation." He snapped at me, and I didn't bother replying. I know he's right, and I don't blame him, I just hate how they're all acting like I did something awful. I didn't do anything, truly.

"Let's just figure out what we're doing tonight." Lauren offered, and everyone agreed quietly.

"Well, Nancy and Jonathan are coming home tomorrow. My mom wants Max and I home for when Nancy arrives, and I'm excited to see my sister. I might just go home." I mumbled, feeling little desire to stay over with people tonight. El saw that, and sighed.

"Mike, we aren't mad at you-"

"I know, I just don't want to spend the night. I want to be home tonight. Max can stay if she wants, but she'll need to be home before one." I spoke calmly, trying not to sound mad. I'm not necessarily even mad, just annoyed. Why would me throwing our campaign cause problems? It's just a game, not the thing that determines our life and what will happen. It seems so unfair, and I guess I've lost the tolerance for being treated unfairly.

"I'll stay over with El. Is that cool?" Max asked, and I turned to El, who was looking at me.

"Actually, I planned on staying with Mike tonight. Of course, only if he still wants to." She spoke lowly, keeping eye contact. I sighed deeply, closing my eyes and starting to rub them. Everyone was silent, waiting for my reply.

"I'm sorry, I forgot. Of course I still want to." I breathed out, and she nodded slowly, still hesitant. Everyone else stopped paying full attention, talking to each other quietly. The tension in my friend group lately is too much to handle. "Listen, Max, do whatever you want. Just be home by one tomorrow, not a second late. Mom would kill you."

"I'll just stay here, ok? Will can help me with school or something." She mumbled, plopping down on their side chair. I sighed, knowing she's annoyed. She doesn't like being home when it's just El and I, because we unintentionally annoy her. So she likes to be with someone-anyone-else on nights like tonight. She probably wanted to do something with El tonight, but oh well. We had this night planned, I won't let Max steal more things from me.

"You know, I packed already. You wanna just go?" El turned to me and suggested, which I agreed with. I don't have the energy to stay here any longer. She went and got her bag, leaving me to feel guilty in Will's living room. But Lucas began to speak, making it easier.

"I should get home. My dad isn't home, so I need to take advantage of the TV. See you guys tomorrow." He laughed a bit, already almost done putting his shoes on. Once he finished, we gave a chorus of goodbyes, and he hurried out of the house.

"And then there were six." Will mumbled, earning a scoff from the doorway.

"Still here, you know. About to leave, though." El spoke up, making everyone turn to look at her. I immediately stood up, walking to the door, where my shoes are sitting. I slid them on, and as I was bent down, I saw El's feet appear next to mine. I stayed bending down, examining her sock-covered feet, noticing how her presence alone can make me feel better. "Alright, guys, see you tomorrow. Don't ruin the house, Mom would throw a fit." El ordered, then left the house. I stayed behind just long enough to see them roll their eyes.