𝐦𝐚𝐲𝐛𝐞~𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

Chapter 54: You'll See

Mike's POV

Knocking lightly on the door, I sighed. I didn't really want to confront the person that I could hear answering it. But I knew that it had to be done eventually.

"Mike?" The red-haired girl looked around, almost surprised to see me, "what're you doing here?"

"Can I come in?" I looked up at her from under my eyelashes.

She nodded slowly, her face becoming clear of confusion. The door opened wider and I inched into the house.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" She seemed calm, which kind of worried me.

"Um..." I breathed out slowly, and I knew that she sensed my nervousness,  "I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry."

Max held up a hand as she shook her waves in negation,  "No, Mike. It's fine. It really is. You didn't know what was going on. I mean how could you-"

"Max! Just let me apologize." I blurted out, shooting her a glance, "I should've known what El was doing. All this time I've been worrying about how she is and if she's hurt when it's been you getting hurt by her."

Max chuckled softly, "Mike, I'm a big girl. I can handle myself."

Walking closer to her and snagging her hands, I frowned, "Look. I talked to Will about this and he noticed that you were hurt. Not just your concussion. She hurt you," I gave her a soft look and she tried to avoid my eyes, "And I'm sorry I didn't see that. I didn't realize how hard it must be for you to only have guy friends."

Max smiled, "I mean, I love you guys and all but..."

"You wanted to have a connection with El." I finished the sentence as she nodded.

"I'm sorry, Max." I pulled the firey girl in for a hug and she laughed quietly as she returned the gesture.

"Awe Sweaterboy has a heart," she whispered as I let her go with an eye roll, "But seriously. It's okay. You don't have to keep apologizing."

Mike glanced over at Lucas who nodded like he was cueing something.

"Well, um. I'm apologizing for what's coming next."

"What do you me-"

She could barely get the last word out before quickly letting go of my hands for fear of getting another concussion.

"Eleven?"

Will's POV

I biked, harder and faster as I went up the hill towards the little cabin.

The light was still on in the house, which was a relief. Hopper would normally kill anyone who came into the cabin unannounced but luckily for me, he had a thing for my mom.

Slowing my pace to stop near the side of the cabin, I could hear noises near the front of the house. I dropped my bike down onto the scuffed-up lawn and skipped up the steps, my feet hitting the wooden stairs in satisfying thumps. 

I raised my fist up to the door, preparing to knock. As the sound echoed out of my hand and onto the door, I could see a small face peering through the window curtains next to the doorway.

"El, it's only me," I muttered towards the glass and smiled.

Soon, I could hear the unlocking of multiple bolts on the door and Eleven's meek face looked up at me. 

"You okay?"

She shrugged, but I could tell she was still recovering from the trauma of her and Mike's argument.

"Come on," I tugged her arm and pulled her easily out the door.

"Wait, what?! Where are we going?!" She screeched as she glanced behind her towards the open doorway. She fought free of me and used her powers to hold me in place, "Hopper isn't home right now! I could get in real trouble if I just leave!" El finished, exasperated.

"El, chill. Just leave a note."

Huffing in defeat, she turned and scrawled out a quick note before following me to my bike. She hopped on the back, "Are you going to tell me where we're going?"

"Nope."

I could hear her annoyed sigh as we mounted my bike and all I could do was laugh at her. 

It was mild that afternoon but the breeze had picked up and became a lot more harsh than it had been earlier. 

El kept batting long strands of hair out of her eyes. Not gonna lie, my bowl cut was a bit problematic too; it was too long in the front to comfortably see. 

So I picked up the pace and with burning calves we reached our destination quickly, a large house, one she would definitely recognize.

"Will, why are we at Lucas's house?" She leaned over my shoulder as we sped towards it together. 

"You'll see."

Again, she huffed at me as I helped her off of the back of my bike. I nodded my head towards the building in front of us and Eleven followed along next to me, obviously nervous about what was happening. 

Luckily, Mike's bike was hidden at the side of the house and was almost impossible to notice from where we were standing. It's better she didn't know about Mike's presence until she was inside. 

Walking up the few steps at the front of the house, I knocked softly on the wooden door, making sure it was loud enough for the people inside to hear it. 

I could hear a shuffling of feet inside, only one pair, coming towards where we were standing. Soon, the door cracked open and Lucas's bright face peeked out at us. 

"Hey guys! Perfect timing." The dark skinned boy smiled, turning and moving back into his house, cueing us to follow him. 

The dirty blonde next to me nudged my arm, visibly confused, "What was that supposed to mean?"

I shrugged despite the fact I knew exactly what we were walking into. I almost felt guilty about tricking her into the confrontation but we all knew it was best. Plus if Mike and El didn't make up soon, the party would have to endure Mike's constant complaining about it.

I put my hand on the small of El's back and directed her towards the Sinclair living room, practically pushing her along. 

El's POV

I was so confused about what was happening. Will had been acting weird since he picked me up at the cabin.

He nudged me into the living room as I shivered with nerves. I was met with a sight I didn't expect in the slightest.

Lucas, Mike, and Max were all standing in the furnished room together. Max and Mike had their hands clasped together; the dark haired boy was already looking towards me, his eyes calm. Mayfield looked up, recognition clouding her eyes, and rapidly pulled her fingers from Mike's grasp.

"Eleven?"