Crush Culture [M.Wheeler]

[41] BECAUSE I LOVE YOU

The next morning, seeing as Mike hadn't called yet, Nori brings it upon herself to go so. "Hey. Is everything okay?" Steve asks as she dials his line.

"Yeah." She nods. "Hello, this is the Wheelers." Karen picks up cheerfully. "Hi, Mrs. Wheeler. It's Eleanor. May I speak to Mike?" She requests.

"Yeah, just a sec." The woman respond, then calling out to Mike. "Hello?" Mike says.

"Hey, you didn't call me last night. Is everything alright?" She asks. "Sorry, I—I was just about to call." He stammers.

"I, Um.. My nana, she's very sick." He lies. "But Steve said that your nana was okay, that it was a false alarm." Nori argues.

"Yeah! That's.. what... we thought it was at first, but then she took a real turn for the worse." He trails off. "Oh." Nori nods, not sure whether to believe him or not.

"Yeah. We think she might... die." He pauses. "What?" Suddenly, the voice of Karen comes on. "Mom! Get off the phone!" Mike screams. "How many times?!" He adds.

"Did Nana call?!" Karen continues. "No, Mom! Just get off the phone!" He repeats. With a soft sigh, you could hear one of the telephones go silent.

"Sorry about that." Mike says again, chuckling anxiously. "Was that your mom?" Nori inquires. "Yeah. She's so upset, she's making no sense." He explains.

"Because we have to go to the nursing home. To see Nana." Mike sighs. "Can you come over later, then? After I see Dustin?" She asks.

"No!" He quickly responds. "I mean, I— I just think... I need to be alone today. With my...feelings?" He finishes in a questioning tone.

"Mike, I'm not an idiot, you know that right?" Nori says, leaning against the wall. "Yes! Of course, I know that." He responds.

"Then why are you lying to me?" She asks. "What? No I'm not. I wouldn't lie." He denies. "What, Mom?" He quickly asks.

"My mom's calling me. Better go. Talk to you tomorrow. Miss you already. Bye!" Before she could say anything, he hangs up. "Mike? Hello?"

She sighs, slamming the phone back onto the wall. "Hey. What's going on?" Steve asks, preparing to head to work. "Is Dustin going to Scoops today?" She asks, leaning on the kitchen counter.

"Yeah, Wanna come with me?" Steve offers. "Yes, please." She sighs.

***
"Hey, Robin." Nori smiles, walking in as Steve does the same. "Hey, there, Ells. Here with big brother Steve today, I see." She chuckles, glancing over at the boy.

"Oh, please. I would never purposely hang out with him. I'm meeting a friend here." She tells, earning a chuckle from Robin. "Want some ice cream to keep you company while you wait?" She offers.

"Always." She smiles. "Can I get, a cookies and cream.. oh! And don't forget the extra sprinkles." She reminds. "How could I?" Robin smiles.

"Alright, Ellie, this is for paying customers only, so scram." Steve speaks up, stepping up beside Robin. "Cool! Thanks for paying, Steve." She nods to her brother, taking the ice cream cone from Robin's hand, and going to sit down.

"I like your sister, Steve. Can't say the same for you." The short haired girl jokes. "Yeah, whatever." Steve rolls his eyes, placing a one dollar bill into the register.

Soon enough, Nori notices Dustin making his way over to the counter. "Hi." He smiles to Robin. "Hi."

"I'm Dustin." He introduces. "I'm Robin." She smiles. "Pleasure to meet you. Uh, is— is he here?" He asks.

"Is who here?" Robin raising her eyebrows. Suddenly, Steve barges in from the back. "Henderson."

They both laugh. "Henderson! He's back!" Nori laughs at their excitement, standing up and waiting for the encounter to be over.

"I'm back! You got the job!" Dustin exclaims. "I got the Job!" Steve nods, imitating a trumpet.

"Hey! Oh!" They do their infamous handshake, laughing. "How many children are you friends with?" Robin cuts in.

"A lot." Nori finally says stepping up beside Dustin. "Okay, What is she doing here?" Dustin turns to Steve. "I'm here to say sorry. Look, it was dumb of me to ditch you yesterday. So as your best friend, I am obligated to spend the rest of today with you." She offers, holding out her hand.

Dustin glances down at it. "I'm only doing this because I love you." He reminds her, then shakes her hand.