5 Lies and a truth | Madwheeler

4. "See you around, Zoomer."

"See you around, Zoomer." That's what Mike had told her, when the party had come to meet her one last time that summer, before she went back to California for the holidays. Except he had lied. They didn't see much of each other around. Mike had busied himself in helping Eleven, or Jane as everyone else called her (only the party was allowed to call her Eleven, and Max still wasn't officially in the damn party) in settling in Hawkins High.

It had been 3 years since then. 3 years ago Max had met the party, 3 years ago she found that there was more to this fucking dimension, and worst of all 3 years had passed of Michael Wheeler ignoring her. Yeah, she would take fighting demo-dogs and asshole brothers over him. The thing was, that she just didn't understand him. As soon as they found themselves growing closer, becoming friends, Mike would end up doing some douchey thing or another causing them to get in an argument, which would lead to them ignoring each other. All development gone.

In the 3 years a lot had changed. The party was close but had begun to branch out to other kids. Lucas and Dustin and had found friends from their reading and science clubs, Will had practically found friends from every direction since his stint as 'Zombie Boy' and Mike had Eleven as always. Unfortunately as a result Max often ate her lunch in the AV club alone which was sadly empty on most days.

The boys had extracurriculars going on almost every day and the days when they would all eat lunch together, Mike would always roll his eyes and make unnecessary comments to wind her up. At least 3 years ago, they would have brief flitting moments where they would actually get along, but now they either didn't speak to one another or when they did it would always be hostile. The annoying thing was that Max had no clue why Mike was still being such a dick. Even Eleven (she didn't care whether or not she was 'in the party' she was still calling her that) didn't mind her and they were actually friends. But, like it was 3 years ago, Mike still ruled the party and his hatred for Max meant everyone else had to 'dislike' her too, leading to her being cast apologetic looks or mumbled sorrys. Max didn't like receiving people's pity, she had received Mike Wheeler's regarding her father 3 years ago and look at how that turned out. So she decided to take friendships in small doses. She had made friends from other classes but they all had their own groups and cliques. And unfortunately none had any place for Max.

Billy had also moved out meaning that she had to be dropped off by her stepfather everyday. Her stepfather was interesting to say the least.

"You're going to be late." He said in a low voice as Max leapt into the front seat. "One must always be on time and... look presentable" he said eyeing up her hoodie and jeans. "Mr Hargrove c'mon you're not in the army anymore, so you can drop the act." In hindsight Max should've known that a comment like that would result in a harsh grab of her wrist.

Guess Billy now had a replacement. Once Billy had left, her stepfather had directed all his attention to her, considering she was the only teen in the house. Her mother had busied herself with Max's new half sister meaning that her stepfather would often need any excuse to get out off the house away from the crying and noise. And Max would prove to be that distraction, so he decided to drop her off and pick her up despite her protests. She was 16 for fuck's sake and still had her skateboard as a means to get around. It was just like Billy all over again. And she hated it.

"Max!" A voice called out to her. She spun from her locker and looked at Dustin. She always found herself smiling at the boy. "Hey Dustin." She replied. The boy shuffled his feet, looking at the ground. "So um... I was having a you know a... a—" he started. "Spit it out Henderson!" Max interrupted, at this rate she was going to be late for class, Dustin had a free period so he had time to be mumbling about but she didn't. "Oh yeah um... sorry..." he twitched. "I was just wondering whether you could come to my birthday gathering, tonight." He said in one breath. Shit! Max had completely forgotten about his birthday and she hadn't even got him a present. She stopping strumming her fingers on her locker to run them through her hair. "Of course Dustin." Knowing Dustin it'll just be the party and a few extras, nothing big, plus she could survive a night with Michael Wheeler for Dustin's happiness and the guilt for forgetting his birthday. "Sweet!" Dustin shouted, giving her quick hug as he ran off towards the library. Max sighed shutting her locker, Miss Ross would agonize her for an eternity for being late.

"Maxine, you're late." Miss Ross said stating the obvious. "Sorry." Max mumbled. Grabbing the detention slip, she trudged to her seat. "You're late Maxine" Mike mimicked, as she took her seat in front of him. She flipped him off discreetly, not wanted to get in more trouble. He scoffed and she turned back around. Mike was exceptionally annoying in this class, since he was the only member from the party which meant that no one could stop him from fully agonizing her. Max sighed and decided to tune in to the class.

But science was boring when Mr Clarke wasn't teaching you, and Miss Ross had a tendency to ramble on making the class go by even slower. Max out of habit started tapping her pen on the side of her table, she had done so for a few minutes until she felt a foot kick the back of her chair. "What do you want Wheeler?" she hissed, "stop doing that" he frowned pointing to her desk. "No" Max replied bluntly. Mike rolled his eyes letting out a frustrated grunt. "Just because your stepdad treats you like a princess doesn't mean everyone else has to" That got Max's attention. She whipped back around "shut the fuck up Wheeler. I'm warning you..." she said slowly. "Fine, whatever you say Daddy's little princess" Mike teased. Max's face hardened, her expression becoming blank. "You're such... a dick." Max said her voice wobbling. She shook her head and quickly turned back, sticking her hand in the air. "Miss Ross I'm not feeling too well..." she said quietly. Mike could practically hear the queasiness in her voice. As he watched her red hair blur out of the classroom he knew that he had struck a sore spot.

Max felt like shit the whole day, and had nearly run over a couple of kids as she skated her way down the hallway, towards the parking lot. "That was quicker than usual" her stepfather noted, glancing at his watch. "Yeah, well I have somewhere to be tonight." Max replied. "And you're telling us now. That's very last minute of you Maxine." Her stepfather chastised. Max rolled her eyes, leaning her head against the window. She caught a glimpse of Will and... Mike near the bicycle racks. She mentally groaned and tore her face away from the window, choosing scatter her thoughts and listen in to the music on the radio instead.

The evening finally came round, and Max had managed to go out and buy Dustin a present. She hauled herself out of the house convincing her stepfather that she could make her own way if she promised to be home by the curfew - not a minute late her stepfather had eerily warned her. She was skating up to Dustin's house when she was greeted by a familiar honk. Steve! She dropped her skateboard and ran towards his car. "Hey dipshit!" He called out, smiling widely. "Man you've grown like crazy since the last time I saw you" he said dramatically eyeing her up, hands under his chin. God she missed Steve, ever since he had been stationed at another sector for his stupid cop job, life for Max was lonely. "Here for Dustin's gathering?" Max asked. Steve grinned and winked in reply. They started to walk towards the door when suddenly he froze, turning wide eyed to the younger girl. "Um... you don't think... you know... Nancy will be there?" Even saying her name seemed like too much for him. Max sighed "I'm sorry Stevo but I'm not that tight with the Wheelers so I can't tell you for sure" Steve nodded and stuffed his hands in his pockets. Max rang the doorbell and heard a scurry of feet, she smirked ringing it two more times. "COMING!" she heard Dustin yell. The door was swung open to reveal the birthday boy's beaming face, in the back she noticed Mike's frowning one. Now this, was going to be a long night, Max thought as she followed Steve in.

Note: decided to focus on a two-shot instead of oneshots so keep tuned folks ;) it indeed is going to be a long interesting night