the holiday- mileven

chapter 3

𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 3: plans

"are you sure it's alright for me to stay here? i don't want to intrude on your very important alone time." mike commented, carrying the spare pillows which nancy kept for him in the basket in the living room.

eleanor giggled from the other room, turning out the kitchen light. "you're fine, though if you keep asking i might have to kick you out."

mike raised his eyebrows and chuckled at her comment before setting up his makeshift bed on the couch.

"so, mike. tell me about yourself. i figure i should probably get to know the person i'm letting sleep on my couch after knowing them for five minutes." el smirked, helping him with the blankets.

"firstly, that's my sisters couch and secondly we've known eachother approximately forty seven minutes actually." mike corrected her as he glanced at the antique clock on the wall, a smug grin pulling at his lips.

"okay mr smart ass. but i stand by my statement, i'd like to know who's staying on your sisters couch." eleanor stated.

mike smiled at her while rolling his eyes. "well...what do you wanna know, el?"

"el?"

"yeah, el." he replied softly, trying to suppress the ridiculous grin that pulled at his plump lips.

"quick with the nicknames huh?" eleanor raised an eyebrow, trying to ignore the fluttering in her chest.

mike shrugged, "thought it suited you."

eleanor grinned and dropped her gaze to the floor, as if that would hide the blush creeping up her cheeks.

"so, what do you wanna know?" mike asked.

"well, where are you from, where do you work, how many sibling you have? you know, basic stuff." eleanor suggested, leaning against the sofa.

"hawkins indiana, i work at sky tv in london and i have two siblings. does that meet your expectations?" mike responded playfully, plopping himself down on the couch and kicking his legs up onto the coffee table.

"oh i love indianapolis!" eleanor exclaimed. "my dad used to take me there when i was little."

"so you weren't far away then?" mike assumed.

"chicago." eleanor told him.

mike nodded, about to say something but el cut him off. he was going to pry but the subject seemed touchy so he decided against it.

"so." el cleared her throat. "two siblings huh?"

"yep." mike said, popping the 'p'. "two annoying, rat-like sisters."

"oh come on i'm sure they're not that bad." eleanor chuckled. "nancy seems nice."

"to you she will be, well actually scratch that—to anyone that's not me."

"what about the other?" eleanor questioned.

"oh holly? yeah, she's even worse. she's younger than me so by default she's annoying as fuck." mike complained.