the real world | mileven

Window

Mike rolled around, worrying.

After finding El crying in the hallway, he was very upset and couldn't focus for the rest of the day.

She refused to talk about it, and that was what worried him.

He knew Hopper didn't want him visiting her, but hopefully he wouldn't be at Joyce's house.

He slipped outside, grabbing his bike and peddling out into the road.

It took him 15 minutes to get to Will's house. He walked around to El's window. Peering through, he was her shape on her bed.

Grinning, he tapped on the window softly.

El jumped in surprise as she heard the tapping on her window. She opened it slowly.

She gasped as a curly haired boy pulled himself into her room. "Mike!" She fretted. "WHAT are you doing here?!"

He turned to her, his grin gone. "El, I was just so so worried about you."

El sighed. "You shouldn't be. I'm fine."

He shook his head, sitting down on the edge of her bed with a sigh. "I can't stop worrying about you."

She sat next to him softly. "Stop worrying about me. I'm serious. Focus on school. It was just one incident and I'm fine now!"

He shook his head. "No!"

She stared at his curly hair, his freckles all over his face, and his eyes staring into hers.

"Mike," she whispered.

He grabbed her and pressed his lips to hers, she gasped softly in surprise.

Instead of pulling away, he stayed where he was, and she opened her mouth a little and his tongue met hers.

Shivers skyrocketed up her spine. She had never felt anything like this before.

Mike pressed her into the bed, and she giggled as he brushed her hair out of her face.

He pressed his lips to hers again, and she thought they would stay like that forever, when-

"Hey, El- oh my god."

Their heads whipped around as they spotted Will staring at them with shock on his face.

El blushed fiercely.

"Sorry.. I didn't.. um." Will stammered.

Mike sighed and got off El to let her sit up.

"Hi, Will. Sorry." He muttered.

"Uh... hi." Will managed before beginning to slip away.

"Wait- did you need something?" El asked.

"Um, it's nothing. Uh, see ya tomorrow." Will slipped out of the room.

El and Mike burst out laughing. Mike frowned.

"I should probably get going."

El nodded. "Wait..."

She pressed her lips again against his and he held her close as he melted into the kiss.

He pulled away and slipped out the window, sticking his head in once more to peck her lips again. "Okay, I've really got to go."

He slipped away and grabbed his bike, muttering complaints about leaving to himself as he peddled away.

Why was she so perfect?

* Three Weeks Later

El sighed as she walked down the hallway.

People didn't stare at her as much now, and she tried to blend in.

Some girls still bullied her, but she was done with them. The only big issue was she didn't see Mike as much as she wanted to.

She screeched as someone pulled her into a classroom. The door slammed behind her and she let out a breath of relief when she saw Mike.

"Hey," he grinned.

"You scared me!" She scolded him.

He laughed and kissed her gently.

It was the same every time, El melting into his arms. She sighed softly as he pulled away.

"I have to go to class," he pouted. "See you at lunch?"

El smiled. "Of course."

The rest of the day was a blur until Lunch. Girls pushed past her, laughing and whispering mean things.

Her heart hurt. Everyone was mean to her still.

"Hey, Zombie Girl!" One of them hissed. "Go kill yourself. No one likes you!" They laughed evilly and walked away.

She slid into a seat next to Mike, and he wrapped his arm around her.

"How's your day going?" He asked.

"Fine..." she murmured.

He turned her face to his. "El..."

She shook her head and turned away.

He sighed and picked at his food.

Lucas and Max slid in the seats across from them.

El was on really good terms with Max now. They were good friends.

She managed a short smile for them, then looked at her lap sadly, thinking about all the insults.

Mike glanced at her with worry.

He took her hand and drew circles on it with his finger, but El didn't smile like she normally did. He frowned.

"El, honey... please. Talk to me."

El stood up. "I have to go to class."

Mike nodded.

Talk to me after school, okay?

El shrugged. "If I have time."

He narrowed his eyes at her, but nodded.

She walked away, and Mike couldn't understand what could be wrong.