𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞~𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

Chapter 12: He loves her

Mike's POV

I rode towards my house, the rain soaking through my clothes. I propped my bike up near the basement door, out of the rain so it wouldn't rust.

I grabbed the basement key out of my pocket and entered the dark room. I closed and locked the door quietly, smiling to myself as I passed El's fort. It still smelled like her, even though I slept in there a lot for the year she was gone.

I quickly went up the stairs and padded across the floor. I passed my parents' room very quickly to make sure they didn't hear me.

I dashed past Nancy's door, "Oof!" Nancy looked bewildered.

Nancy's POV

I looked around, then grabbed his wrist and read the time, "Mike! What are you doing?" I whispered frantically, "And why the fuck are you soaking wet?"

"Nancy, chill. I just got back and I was trying to not wake anyone up. And if you haven't noticed, it's pouring. Wait why are you up?" He questioned.

"I was going to go to the basement so I could call Jonathan in peace," I raised an eyebrow at him, "Mike it's 1 AM. Why were you gone for so long?"

He looked down, the blush spreading on his cheeks like a virus, "I was with El."

"You were there since like 5:30! Why were you there for so long?"

"I fell asleep outside before I even got to see her cause Hop was home. And then we talked for a while and she fell asleep," he looked at me with desperate eyes, "Nance, I never get to see her. Not since the snowball. And when I saw her sleeping I...I couldn't just leave her. She was too peaceful. I couldn't bring myself to leave."

I'm pretty sure my heart melted. I reached up and put my hand on his cheek, "It's okay. I was just worried, that's all," I wrapped my arms around him and he completed the tight embrace. It felt good to have my loving brother's arms around me. It made me feel safe, "Just get yourself cleaned up and warm, okay?"

He let go of me and nodded, "I love you Nance," he smiled and moved towards his room.

"I love you too Mike," I said as I watched him close his bedroom door.

I sighed. It was 1 AM, "I'll talk to Jonathan tomorrow," I thought to myself.

I smiled at Mike's closed door. He loved her. He loved her with all of his heart. His face had so much pain on it when he remembered the snowball. He missed her. I could see it everyday, in everything he did. Even when he did the simplest things, I could tell that he was thinking about her.

He even biked home in the rain because he waited too long to leave. All because of her. She was the only thing that could make him smile with his whole body. His feet curved in, his arms slightly bent, his fingers always twiddling with each other. His slightly tilted head and his goofy grin ear to ear. It was because of her.

I turned and closed my door, thinking about Mike.

The Next Day

Lucas's POV

I sat up, yawning. I looked around. The sun shone bright through the damp window, the beams of light streaming into the room.

I looked at my watch.

[7:46 AM]

Oh god.

"Guys! Get up! School is in 15 minutes!" I shook Will awake. He sat up and immediately started to pull his shirt over his head.

I went over to where Dustin was sprawled out on the floor. Candy wrappers scattered the floor around him.

"Seriously! Where the hell are all these coming from?" I said to myself as I started cleaning up his mess, "Dustin! Get up. Now."

He jumped to life and wiped drool from his lower lip, "Woah man! Were you watching me sleep?"

I rolled my eyes, "Just get up." Dustin stood up quickly, more candy wrappers falling out of his pocket.

"Oh god."

We got dressed fast and headed to the kitchen for breakfast.

"Good morning boys! How did you sleep?" Joyce smiles lovingly at us from the table, Jonathan glancing at us from the stove.

I always loved Joyce. She was kind of the mom to all of us.

We all answered with a sleepy 'yea' and sat at the table with her.

Jonathan strode over with the huge pan of eggs and bacon, a stack of toast in his right hand.

"You boys stink up the bathroom yet?" He joked with us.

"I will after I eat this!" Dustin laughed.

Joyce looked at the clock, "Boys finish up fast because school is starting in like five minutes!"

She rushed us out the door and we mounted our bikes, riding into the damp morning air.

We pedaled into the school yard, quickly putting our bikes in the bike rack.

Max skated towards us. Oh my god. She was wearing overalls and a white shirt. She looked gorgeous.

"Hey guys! What've you been up to this morning?" She asked us cheerfully.

"The good stuff happened yesterday, didn't it Will?" Dustin teased, punching Will playfully on the arm.

His face went scarlet, "Shut up Dustin."

The bell rang and Max looked at me with sparkling eyes. I grinned at her, took a deep breathe and followed her into the school.

Will nudged me, "Don't think I didn't catch that. Just don't let Dustin know what really happened in the Field. You kissed didn't you?" Will whispered. I nodded and his eyes had a happy glint in them. He clapped me on the back, "Nice."

I looked over at Max and Dustin who were trading candy bars. My god, where does he get them?

Max suddenly looked up, bewildered, "Wait. Why am I not annoyed this morning?" She peered around and then she sighed, "Oh I know why. Where's Mike?"