𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞~𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

Chapter 39: Then El's the Princess

El's POV

"That was a good movie," Dustin said loudly from across the room, "I'm definitely the Criminal."

Even I had to roll my eyes at that comment. Max leaned forward, trying to see Dustin clearly, "What the hell? You? The Criminal?"

"I think I'm more of the Criminal, aren't I El?" Mike smirked over at me with a shiny glint in his brown eyes.

I giggled lightly, "Definitely."

"I think we can all agree that I'm the Brain," Will chimed in, smiling widely.

I nodded. It fit him perfectly. The innocent, smart kid. The definition of Will.

"You're the Princess, Max," Mike joked, pinching the pretty red head's arm.

She slapped his wrist, "Just cause I have red hair doesn't mean I'm the Princess, Mike!"

Mike laughed, "Fine. Then El's the Princess," He beamed over at me, probably thinking the same thing I was at that moment.

The Criminal and the Princess fall for each other in the end. I could feel the blush creeping onto my once pale cheeks. He noticed my shy reaction and put his arm around my shoulders tenderly.

Max stood, jumping up with energy, "Lucas is the Athlete, obviously."

Dustin's face contorted into a fake pout, "I guess I'm not in the breakfast club."

Mike stared directly at Max, both of them going silent for a moment. Suddenly her and Mike's voices said in unison, "yOu'Re NoT iN tHe PaRtY!"

The ginger burst out laughing, unable to control it. Mike untangled his arm from my hair and proceeded to throw a pillow at her red face. She didn't even react, she was so deliriously happy.

Maybe I could learn to like her. But my stomach still burned with jealousy whenever Mike would look at her. He looked at her with so much...admiration. I thought he only looked at me that way. I shook my head, trying to hide the insecurity that was cascading down upon me.

"Okay, okay guys. We really need to go to sleep. We don't want Ted coming down here," Lucas scoffed jokingly.

Dustin's face contorted into a weird smile, "LaNgUaGe!" Both Will and Dustin fell to the floor laughing.

Mike smirked, looking over at me. I could feel my face burn with the heat of his stare. His expression softened, his hand moving to intertwine his fingers with mine.

"We should actually go to bed, like I'm serious. We all want to be awake enough to go to the pool tomorrow, right?"

"Uhhhhhh, why?" Max groaned, collapsing on the big pile of sleeping bags and cushions arranged on the floor. Lucas sat down next to her, the red head's face becoming more relaxed when she saw him.

Mike stood, pulling me up with him, "Come on," he said quietly, leading me to our spot on the floor. Everyone sat, getting in a tangle of fabric and limbs. Dustin's feet were resting on Will's forehead, his nose scrunched up from inhaling their scent. Lucas and Max were side by side, but at a "safe" distance. I leaned back, letting my head hit the pillow behind me.

Mike cozied up beside me, my head leaning against his with my hip at his waist. Side by side, we stared at the ceiling, listening to the pointless bickering between our friends. They were joking around, talking about the times at The Field and school and countless other things.

But for me, the only thing going through my head as the boys listed random memories was Mike. His constant presence and support. I barely had a memory that I actually cherished without him in it.

Our hands were still wrapped tightly together, the warmth from him radiating towards me in comforting waves

I moved closer to him, closing my eyes as I kept listening to the four party members talk about random things.

"I missed you."

I felt Mike breathe the three words onto my pale cheek. I couldn't help but grin slightly. I turned my head so I could see him, "I missed you too."

I didn't realize how close we were until after I spoke the statement back to him. Our noses were practically touching, our eyes almost too close to focus on each other. I could sense the sudden realization hit both of us, a smile creeping farther onto my face the more I studied his detailed features.

"What are you smiling at?" His lips peeled into a small smirk, his brown eyes glowing with the light of a genuine grin.

My heart skipped a beat just watching him smile, "You're adorable, you know that?"

His eyes slid closed, seeming to be taking in my response, "I do know that. You know what else I know?" His eyes fluttered open, meeting mine with a soft gaze.

"What."

"You're even prettier than the last time I saw you."

My face was soon painted crimson, the shade rapidly descending upon my expression. He seemed content with my girly reaction, clutching my hand tighter than before. I slid my head onto his shoulder, sliding partially onto his right leg and arm.

I heard a faint whisper that I could barely make out.

"Night El."

I smiled, my eyes closed, remembering the first time I had every heard those words. It was the day when Mike and I had first met. He had taken me in and after the boys had left, he and I talked. I felt safe with him. His eyes had been so full of compassion that I couldn't help but feel like I meant something when he was around. He had been the first one to free me from my old life with just a few simple words.

"Well my name's Mike, short for Michael. Maybe we can call you El, short for Eleven."

I glanced over to Mike, his calm breathing making his chest rise and fall.

"Night Mike," I mumbled, still admiring his features.

A small smile slid onto his pink lips, and in that moment, I knew he was remembering that night in the fort when he had given me something he would never understand the value of.

He had given me a name.
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Oh my gosh it's been so long. I'm sorry I haven't updated recently but here it is now! I've just been so busy with high school lately that I haven't been very motivated to write. But soon, there will be some good, not shitty chapters. Enjoy this one 😂