imagine | mileven au

chapter 20

as he got off his cycle, making sure that it stay put and was locked, his heartbeat started escalating. he didn't know that was possible, considering how fast it had been beating since he had left his house but apparently it could. he slowly started walking towards the cabin, his hands getting fidgety and his breath uneven. why did it feel like he was going to give an exam or something?

it was sunday, and as planned, mike had come to el's house to hang out. however, his nervousness had peaked despite having a comforting talk with dustin the day prior. he had tried to reaffirm the words that his friend had told him but when the time actually came, all the reassurance felt lost. how do you act normal in front of the person you're hopelessly in love with? now that was a question.

'you have nothing to worry about. you got this.' he mentally tried to assure himself as he reached the porch. he shook his head, trying to shove off any residual doubts that were on his mind. taking a deep breath, he gingerly knocked on the door.

within seconds, the door flew wide open and he was greeted by that beautiful smile that always took his breath away.

"mike! hey, come on in!" el spoke, stepping aside immediately, making way for him to come in.

"yeah, hi." he entered the house, looking down to hide his red face, as he felt the adrenaline rushing to his cheeks. he quickly glanced at her as she closed the door. she was wearing a simple dark blue sweatshirt and white pants. her honey hair loosely tumbled down her shoulders and as she turned to look at him, those doe eyes of hers made his heart feel overwhelmed.

she gestured at the couch behind him. "sit down, mike. are you alright?"

her voice snapped him out of his reverie, and he nodded at once stepping back to sit down.

"yeah, yeah, i'm great. i mean, totally chill. why do you ask?"

"you looked... i don't know, a bit dazed?"

"uh, i was just thinking about something else."

she nodded, still confused but shrugged it off, deciding not to dwell further.

"okay." her voice sounded unsure and mike knew that she was not completely convinced. but how could he tell her that he was in awe of how beautiful she was and that he was just an inch away from getting on his knees and confessing his love to her? yep, that was definitely not happening.

"come on, you can sit down too. think of it like your home." he joked, patting on the couch.

she smiled and went ahead to sit next to him.

"so, did you finish your assignment with will?" he asked, as she sat at the other end of the couch.

"yes! will is so great to work with, you know? he listens to what i have to say and i don't feel conscious at all either. we were able to communicate with each other so well. and for once, it was fun to do an assignment with someone. literally, it felt like time flew."

"i understand. that's what it's like when you're with friends. i remember back when we were in like... the 7th grade? dustin, lucas, will and i would play dungeons and dragons for hours. but for some reason, even if it was like, 10 hours, it never felt like it."

"oh my, 10 hours? that's a lot. and wait, didn't max play with you guys?"

"not really. she wasn't really into D&D, actually. she liked arcade games more and she was crazy good at them. she still has the highest score on dig dug."

"wow, she's unbeatable then."

mike smiled. "pretty much, yeah. what kind of games do you like?"

she bit her lower lip and looked down, feeling this shyness wash over her. "um, i.. i like board games or card games, i guess. i haven't really gone to the arcade."

he raised his eyebrows in confusion. "what? why? the arcade is literally one of my favourite places in hawkins, it's so much fun."

"i... i never really had anyone to go with, mike." she shut her eyes immediately. she felt embarrassed but continued. "you know... all these games that i played were with my dad when he had the time. otherwise, it was just me. so i'd spend my time reading or watching films. and i... i honestly never realised how alone i was till i started hanging out with you guys. i... i like being by myself but being with you guys makes me very happy. i... can never thank you enough for talking to me on new year's eve, mike"

hearing that made his heart soar. in that moment, the affection he felt for her was so irrepressible that this time, he decided not to overthink his actions. he shifted closer and put his arm round her back, pulling her in a hug. his chin rested on the top of her hair as he placed his other hand on her arm.

"you're amazing, el. don't thank me. trust me when i say... we're so glad you're in our lives now."

as taken aback as she was by his sudden gesture, she gave in to the hug warmly, placing her hand on his chest. the way he spoke was so gentle yet so full of passion. for some reason, whenever she was with mike wheeler, she couldn't help but have these warm feelings tug at her heart. and these feelings... it seemed like, had intensified over the weeks. she didn't really know what they were but she definitely knew one thing- she really liked being around him.

"thank you." she whispered.

a chill went down his spine. he was so close to saying it. it was on the tip of his tongue. he couldn't. he knew he couldn't. it wasn't the right time. taking a deep breath, he slowly pulled away and shifted back to where he was sitting before.

his eyes met hers and she smiled at him so tenderly that his heart ached. she was God's most beautiful creation and no one could change his mind about that.

"we'll go to the arcade together some time. all of us. i think you'll love it." he grinned.

she nodded, feeling her heart race. "sounds like a plan."

"it's final then." 

he sat back happily. so far all seemed to be going okay.  

"do you want to get started?" el asked, timidly putting a strand of hair behind her ear.

"huh?" was he missing something?

"the banana bread, mike. remember? we thought we'd try the recipe out?"

"yes! yes, of course. let's get to baking."

~*~

it's been 2 months, i know! but it just got so hectic and i wasn't able to write anything. i apologise. but i'll try my best to be more regular now, i promise! 

i hope you liked the chapter! let me know what you think.