𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐋 | 𝐌𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐋𝐎𝐍

[2] helping out

Once again, Arizona was home alone seeing as her mother decided to take another morning shift. Arizona hardly saw her mother anymore, but she didn't know how to fix the relationship. Adeline constantly brought up the fact that Arizona looked too much like her father, and that's why she couldn't stand to be around her daughter. This was the sort of home life Arizona had grown used to, and she dealt with it the best she could.

So Arizona called Henry in an attempt to make plans, but the response she received was "Sometimes, Ari, we just need time to our testosterone and penis," which she understood as it was a day where the boys needed time to themselves. So, she decided to wander the streets of Derry.

As she walked, her mind turned to Mike. She thinks about his soft smile. She thinks about his melodic laugh. She thinks about the way his brown eyes stared into her hazel ones. She thinks about the way he says her name. She thinks about him, and how alluring he is to her. And as if her mind could conjure up its thoughts, the boy appeared beside her, slightly startling her.

"Morning Miss Colburn," Mike greets, a cheeky smile adorning his face.

Arizona laughs in response, "Mornin' Mr. Hanlon."

The two walk side by side, acting like they've been friends for years.

"So you're home-schooled right?" Arizona inquired, once the two had found a random bench to sit on within the city.

"You'd be correct," Mike answered.

"Lucky, public school sucks," she said, her eyes meeting Mike's for a single moment before flickering away.

"Not entirely, it gets quite lonely at times," Mike replied, laughing sadly.

"Well Michael, now that you and I are friends you'll never be lonely. I am going to annoy you until the day I die, I promise you that," she cheered, making Mike laugh his melodious laugh once more. The two sat in a comfortable silence until she saw Henry and his gang fly by, the new kid being dragged along with them.

"Ah shit," she muttered to herself.

"What's wrong," Mike asked, concern lacing his voice, causing Arizona's heart to melt.

"Oh uh, nothing. I need to run though, see you around?" Arizona replied, slowly picking herself up off the bench.

"See you around Colburn," Mike confirmed, waving goodbye to her as she took off in the direction that she saw her friends head in. As she ran, her thoughts once again turned to the pure soul that was Mike Hanlon. Not about him precisely though, but more about the way he made her feel. Within one day of meeting, he had successfully made her blush more times than she could count, and had caused her heart to flutter one time too many. She thought about how she never wanted to leave his side, out of fear he'd slip away. Mike Hanlon had become her new normal, and she was okay with that.

Finally, she caught up to them, and her eyes widened at the sight. The group had the new kid pushed against the kissing bridge, and Henry was carving into the boy's stomach. Her own stomach clenched at the way the boy screamed in agony. She watched as the kid kicked Henry and flipped over the bridge, and that's when she ran up to the group.

"Ah Ari, nice timing. Help us catch the kid?" Henry asked. Arizona only nodded, seeing as being with the group was the only way she could help. She separated from the group, hoping she was the first one to find the new kid. Luckily, she was. The boy was frantically running, and she followed him, until he rolled down a hill and splashed into the water below. She carefully ran after him, and she scared him one she reached his side.

The look in eyes pleaded for her not to hurt him, and she was taken aback momentarily.

"Don't worry kid, you're lucky I'm the first one to find you," Arizona said softly.

"Holy shit, what happened to you," A voice said from behind the duo. She recognized the voice as one of Bill's friends, and sure enough there they were, standing in the pipe behind her.

"Get him out of here, now," Arizona instructed.

"Why do we have to listen to you," the kid with glasses sarcastically responded.

"Unless you want to be the next person Hen is after, I suggest all of you get out of here," Arizona muttered.

"Guys, maybe we should listen to her," the boy with curly hair stated, his voice slightly shaking.

"I a-a-agree w-with Stan. C-c-come on," Bill said, and the group rushed to Ben's side.

"Bowers got ya real good, didn't he," the annoying one noted.

"Shut up Richie," the smaller boy advised.

"Oh come on Eddie, you love me," Richie laughed.

Arizona heard Henry's voice and immediately told the boys to run, they instantly took off like bats out of hell. As soon as they were out of sight, Henry was running towards her.

"You find them?" Henry asked. Arizona just shook her head, afraid that if she spoke, the truth would come spiraling out. She had no idea why she had helped the new kid, she never helped any of Henry's victims. First Mike, now the new kid? What was happening to her?

She bid her farewells to the gang, minus Patrick, who had yet to show up, and she continued her walk through Derry. Once again, she saw the boys from earlier, and Beverly Marsh stood with them. Arizona didn't know much about Beverly Marsh, except the rumors that surrounded her. Yet, Arizona didn't believe them, mainly because Henry himself told her it was all a lie. He said it was just because she seemed like a slut, so they labelled her as one. The group was standing in the back alley behind the pharmacy, Eddie bent down by the new kid, attempting to patch him up, and Richie yelling something, probably not helpful behind him. Arizona watched the scene for a moment, then decided to join the group.

"Oh shit, it's Arizona," Richie announced loudly, and Arizona flipped him off in response.

"Just checking on the new kid. Sorry about Henry, I don't know what's gotten into him recently," Arizona said, hoping to ease the tension that arose after her arrival.

The new kid just smiled in response to her attempt at an apology, but never said a word to her. Beverly rolled her eyes at Arizona's words. Personally, Beverly disliked Arizona because she chose to be around Henry, it's not as if she's forced to be his friend. Arizona noticed this and made a mental note not to speak to Beverly unless her life depended on it.

   "It's just Henry being Henry. He's an asshole, must be-" Richie started to insult Henry further, but Eddie smacked his arm. Arizona clenched her fists. Henry may not be the easiest person to be around, but he is her best friend and she'll be damned if someone talks about him that way. But, she decided to control herself, because she didn't want to stoop to Henry's level.

Once again, her mind conjured up the person she was thinking about and Henry was pulling her towards himself protectively.

"What the fuck is this? Ari, are these losers bothering you?" Henry questioned. Arizona didn't respond.

"Come on Ari," Victor suggested and Arizona followed along, unsure of how to react to this situation.

"Bye for now losers," Henry sneered at the group.

Arizona looked back at them, and the look in their eyes was one she couldn't decipher, all she knew was that she wasn't their favorite person.  

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word count: 1287

arizona and mike are my favs, and you can quote me on that