June 19, 1985 - 8:49 a.m.
Mike was 4 minutes late. He was supposed to be at El's cabin by 8:45 every morning and had made it on time every day so far. They had been dating since the Snowball and would make out for hours everyday. But Mike didn't actually love El, at least not in a romantic way.
Mike slowly walked up to El's cabin and knocked on the door. The door flew open and El was standing there, a frown on her face.
El - "you're late"
Mike - "sorry, I overslept"
That was a lie. Mike hadn't slept at all. He had been up all night thinking about ℎ𝑖𝑚. His light brown bowl cut, his hazel eyes, his perfect smile, his laugh, Mike could go on for hours about his best friend Will Byers.
Mike knew that it "was wrong" to feel so strongly about Will but no matter how hard he tried the feelings wouldn't go away.
Mike didn't feel anything when he kissed El. He tried to act like he enjoyed spending "romantic time" with her. But, he would have rather been at the arcade or spending time with the rest of the party, especially Will. But Mike was scared of accidentally saying something "too nice to be platonic" to Will and possibly screw up their friendship.
Mike suddenly pulled away from El.
Mike - "hey El?"
El - "yeah?"
El cocked her head to the side, confused.
Mike - "would it be okay if I came later tomorrow? Maybe around 11:45? i'll be out late watching a movie with the others (Max, Lucas, and Will) and I could use the extra sleep"
El - "I guess so..."
She looked disappointed. Mike glanced at the clock on El's desk, 6:19. "Shit," Mike whispered under his breath, if he didn't leave now he would make everybody late to the movie,
Mike - "sorry El, gotta go! bye"
El - "but-"
and Mike ran outside
