she's like the wind ✔ mileven

ten ❅

the party absolutely adores el. they don't mind that she's not jumping and are as hectic as they are because she still laughs the loudest. she has a bright smile on her face and it's obvious that she's having fun. she's playing a few games and when it feels like it's too much, she's back to sitting on the empty machines. el's sitting on an empty "motorcycle" and beside her, mike sits.

"i didn't know that mike had such a cute friend. i would've made a move on you quicker." the redhead says and she's throwing the girl a wink. the brunette only blushes at her words.

"hey, why are you acting like i'm not here!" lucas yells and will takes the opportunity to score in air hockey. when the other scores he's groaning. he looks over at el and he's complaining. "when it's not your boyfriend, it's your girlfriend."

"shut up." max teases and soon enough, the three of them are engaged in a conversation. dustin, like always, was glued to one of the gun games and he's flirting with one of the girls.

"hi." mike says and he's been quiet all night. he was often quiet but this was out of his comfort zone. at least that's what she thought.

"hey." he says and he's looking over at her cane. it's pink and it seems to even have stickers.

"you okay?" he questions.

"it hurts sometimes, but i'm okay." she shrugs off with a small smile on her face. she's used to being asked questions like these. "at least today i am."

. . .

"your brother said you were sick." el frowns and she hates when steve tells people that. the brunette knows that he means no harm when it comes to that, but she feels absolutely fragile.

"he shouldn't have told you that."

"why?"

"i wanted to tell you that." she says and she's pulling the cane to the other side. she doesn't want him to see it. she feels like he's going to do what everybody does.

"when were you?" he questions and he feels slightly hurt. he's opened up to her and she knows so many things about his home situation yet he knows nothing about her. she gives him comfort and never asks for it.

"i don't know." she laughs. "hopefully never."

el catches the frown on his face. "mike, my condition doesn't lessen who i am."

"i know, but--- i opened up to you."

"would you have talked with me if i told you i was sick? you talked to me like i was normal person. and i missed that. i missed this." she raises her hand and she's pointing to his friends. dustin finally joined the party and he has food in his hands. "i don't have any friends because i can't handle the pity looks. notice how your friends haven't thrown me a glance. so please, take yours off your face. i'm okay mike."

"okay."

she smiles looking over at him and she's throwing a compliment his way. she hates when there's tension. "you look really nice today. i never thought i'd see you in color."

he laughs, "i thought today was special."

"it is." she says, swinging her legs. she's shorter than him and it makes him smile.

"el, come on! wheeler! we're missing two." max says and before he can say no, el is nodding at her words. she's looking over at him with sparkling eyes and he doesn't even realize that he's standing up.

the girl reaches for her cane and instead, she's met with michael wheeler's hand. he has a smile on her face and she's looking up at him.

"hold onto me, yeah?"