Crush Culture [M.Wheeler]

[03] SHE'S MY FAVORITE

"Nori, do you copy? It's mike." Nori looks up from her drawing over at her backpack.

"Nori?"

"Hey, it's Nori." She smiles, holding up the walkie-talkie.

"I know it's you. And say "over" when you're done talking so I know you're done. Over." Mike says, causing her to sigh and roll her eyes.

"Sorry." She says, pausing for a moment. "Over." She quickly adds.

"I'm worried about Will. Over." He states.

"Yeah, me too. Over." She sighs.

"I was thinking...Will could've cast Protection last night, but he didn't. He cast Fireball. Over." Mike says.

"What's your point? Over." She asks in confusion.

"My point is... he could've played it safe, but he didn't. He put himself in danger to help the party. Over." He explains.

Nori pauses, then presses down on the speak button. "Meet me in ten. Over and out." She says, pushing down the antenna and speedily preparing her bag.

***

"Nori, can you tell me why your dumb brother was trying to sneak into my sister's room?" Mike asks as they bike along with Lucas and Dustin.

"Steve does a lot of thing, Mike." Nori responds causally.

"Ah, man. This is it." Lucas points out as they reach their destination.

Thunder begins to rumble, while small droplets of rain begin to fall. "Hey, guys.  You feel that?" Dustin asks, looking up at the dark sky, wiping his face as a drop falls onto his cheek.

"It's just light rain, Dustin." Nori responds. As soon as she says that, the thunder sounds, frightening the girl for a moment.

"I think maybe we should go back." Dustin says fearfully, turning to look at the girl, then at Mike and Lucas.

"No. We're not going back. Just stay close." Mike shakes his head. "Come on. Just stay on channel six. Don't do anything stupid."

"He's talking to you, Dustin." Nori comments, patting him on the back before stepping behind the others.

"Hey, guys, wait up." Dustin calls, running after them.

"Will!" They all call out. "Will!"

"Byers!"

"I've got your X-Men 134!"

Nori continues to tuck her hair into her hood, grasping Mike's hand tightly as they walk through the forest.

"Guys, I really think we should turn back." Dustin calls.

"Seriously, Dustin? You wanna be a baby, then go home already!" Lucas responds in frustration.

"I'm just being realistic, Lucas!" He argues.

"No, you're just being a big sissy!"

"Did you ever think Will went missing because he ran into something bad? And we're going to the exact same spot where he was last seen?" Dustin comments.