𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐘 𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐑 | mileven au.

THREE...

CHAPTER THREE
"ARCADE GAMES!"

"saw you on the news last night, tiny." a fiery redhead broke the silence that loomed throughout the open air of the quarry, almost suffocating the pair of best friends as their feet dangled off the edge of the cliff and facing the roaring fathoms below. eleanor sighed, whipping her head towards her friend that rested beside her.

"yeah, i already know i did a shit job, i don't need to heat it again." el murmured under her breath, partially hoping max wouldn't hear her. her hopes weren't met as she witnessed max's long body peeking up, her ginger hair cascading down her back and flowing back and forth ever so slightly as she sat up with a bewildered expression lacing her features.

"who said you did a shit job? i, for one, thought you did great." max proclaimed proudly, as if her opinion would matter to more than one individual. she didn't hesitate to place a hand on her friend's tense shoulder as she failed to consult her.

"yeah, try telling that to my mother." el placed her chin in her hand, her fingers drumming along her skin whilst her other hand made contact with the rocks and debris scattered across the cliff.

"oh god, what did she do this time?" max complained. el let a half-smile appear on her face, finding her friend's comment slightly helpful humorously-wise in the irritating situation. the brunette's nose scrunched, the slightly humid air of the september afternoon wafting in her face.

"after the interview, she said i didn't smile enough. it's like no matter how hard i try, their's always going to be something i'm doing wrong. if i don't do well at the recital tonight, i don't know what's going to happen." she explained with a defeated tone, using the palms of her hands to rub her knees.

"hey, everything's going to be alright. you'll be great, you always are." max reassured her, throwing her a compliment in order to see her friend crack another small smile. instead, she frowned as she noticed the vacant look in her eyes.

"yeah, hopefully." she responded with sorrow, unconvincingly acting as if the world around her didn't feel like it was crashing into a million pieces.

"tiny, you've been my best friend since diapers. do you actually think i'd lie to you?" max voiced, having the ability to see right through her lie.

"i know. i just — i just miss when dancing was fun. i miss walking into that studio and feeling safe. i haven't felt that feeling in a long time." eleanor admitted, admiring the blissful scene of nature that resided in front of her.

el let out a vanquished huff, rubbing her forehead that was soaked with perspiration due to the scorching sunbeams that glistened against her skin. ignoring her comment, although she knew it was true, max offered el a hand as she rose from the cliff.

"come on el, get up." max commanded, kneeling down next to her doe-eyed friend and placing her hand on her shoulder once again in hopes of convincing her to follow her. el reluctantly stood up, clutching onto max's hand for support. once max released from el's grasp, she began trialing her feet along the dusted grounds of the quarry and into the woods of hawkins.

"where are we going?" el inquired, curiosity but a hint of excitement playing through her melodic voice. the two now walked through the woods of the minuscule town, twigs snapping and leaves crackling beneath their feet.

"the arcade." max replied simply, her face turning towards the ground as she tried to cover the quivering that painted her orange-freckled cheeks. el's eyes widened in shock, her mouth slightly ajar as she heard the words erupt from her best friend's mouth.