𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞~𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

Chapter 45: They Have Waffles Here?!

Long time no see huh? It took me way too long to update. I'm sorry please don't murder me haha
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Mike's POV

Lauren's face lit up when she heard El's voice, "Eleanor?!"

Eleanor?

Lauren and El embraced, laughing and chattering like two old friends.

Did they know each other?

I looked to Will, who was smiling next to me, "How do they know each other?"

He looked a little panicked for a second before slowly meeting my gaze, "They met...uh...the day we went to the diner."

My throat clenched with realization. I knew that I recognized that girl that was running down the street. It was El. And Lauren's friend. It was El. How did I not realize it?

My eyes widened at the boy cowering next to me, "Why didn't you tell me?" Anger and confusion bubbled up in the pit of my stomach.

"I didn't think it was important. Just don't bother El about it. It really is simple. El was at the police station and Lauren saw her outside and they started talking. Then they went for a walk. There isn't a crazy explanation to everything, Mike. Lauren is harmless. Chill," Will smiles slightly and patted my shoulder.

I shrugged, "Okay," But why was El at the police station? Was she just hanging out with Hopper or something? That sounds like loads of fun.

I turned my attention back to the girls, "I totally forgot that you were in the party! It's so good to see you, El!" Lauren giggled.

El's smile was bright, "You too! And I think I missed it when Will said you were coming!" El embraced Lauren again, "Ah! I'm so happy you're here! It just made today so much better."

I couldn't help but grin at her enthusiasm. It was nice to see El with a friend who's a girl for once. She must be getting tired of all the boy stuff we do.

I heard someone sigh. I turned my head to see Max looking down. She looked sad.

Max's POV

I watched as the two girls reunited. It hurt to see El so open with another girl. I just wanted to be her friend. And she wouldn't even look at me. All because she thought I was in love with Mike Wheeler. And that he loved me back.

It wasn't my fault that we were so close. We were best friends. That's it. I didn't understand why she couldn't see that.

I excused myself to the bathroom, walking away from the party. I needed a second to breathe. They wouldn't notice I was gone anyways, because of all the commotion.

I closed my eyes, hearing the shuffling of feet coming towards me.

Lucas nudged me, "You okay?"

I glanced over, "No."

He sighed, "Max, I know you want to be friends with El. Just give her some time."

I threw my hands up, "I have given her time! It's been months and she still won't look at me in the eyes! I can't even stand next to Mike without her getting angry."

He chuckled.

I rolled my eyes, "Why are you laughing at me?"

"Because I get how El feels," he looked up with a smirk, "And it's ridiculous."

I frowned, "You're still jealous about Mike and I being friends?"

He shook his head, "Not at all. I just get how it feels to really really like someone and think that their attention is on someone else," he was blushing from the tips of his ears to the bottom of his cheekbones.

"I guess you're right," I admitted, trying to ignore his red face for his sake.

He grabbed my hand gently, "You just need to be you. She can either accept that or not. And if she has the problem, she can go somewhere else when you're here."

I shook my head, "But Mike-"

"I think Mike would agree with me."

I gave him an uneasy look, "I don't know Lucas."

"Please trust me on this. El needs to learn that she isn't the only girl in the world."

I smiled, started to feel better, "Okay."

He put on a funny British accent, "Ready my lady?"

I bowed to him, getting slightly off balance, "Lead the way good sir."

He pulled me by the hand back to the table, the others already with drinks in front of them.

Dustin looked up, "We ordered you guys you're usuals," He nodded over to the chocolate milkshake and hot herbal tea.

I ruffled Dustin's hair as I slide in next to him, Lucas to my left., "Awe you know me so well, Henderson."

Suddenly, Will spits out his drink, projecting across the table, getting chocolate milk all over me, "Will what the hell?" I laugh, bewildered at what had happened.

He gasped, pointing to Lucas who is sipping his tea with his pinky out. I coughed, accidentally inhaling some of my milkshake. I slapped him, making Lucas grin.

El had a pleasant smile on her face, helping Will with the milk that dripped down his shirt, "Child," she shook her head as she said it.

Lucas handed me some napkins, "Guys we should really look at the menu now. We've already wasted a lot of time. We don't want the waitress to have to come back again and have us not be prepared."

Mike beat Lucas to the idea and had his menu closed, "I already know what I'm going to order."

He opened his mouth to say it, "Pancake stack and sausage links," we said simultaneously.

Mike beamed at me and I just smirked back. Luckily, El didn't really seem to notice. Her eyes were wide as she looked at the menu with Will, "They have waffles here?!"

Will was snickering at her reaction. Mike spoke up, "They're good too."

El smiled joyfully and handed Will the menu, "I know what I'm ordering too."

Lauren sipped her lemonade, peeking over Will's shoulder, "I'm probably getting a burger."

"Not much of a breakfast person?" El responded to her.

She laughed, "Not really, no."

El made a funny expression, "I definitely am," she said as she took a vigorous sip of her iced tea, coughing on it. Dustin and Will snorted. Mike looked slightly traumatized.

"Well I'm getting what Mike's getting."

Mike fist bumped me from across the table, "Zoomer over here knows what's up!"

I saw El flinch from the side of my eye, calming down immediately, most likely trying to hide her irritation. I appreciated her effort.

She met my eyes, both of us staring at each other for a moment.

Then she did something I never thought would happen in a million years.

El smiled. At me.