MIKE POV-

Meanwhile, still in the food-court, the rest of the Party sat in the thick silence that enveloped them. Their expressions mixed shock and confusion, unable to help but discuss the elephant in the room; the break up that just unfolded before their very eyes. To them, it seemed like a genuine break up, and they were at a loss for how to react.

Lucas broke the void, "Okay... so that was something."

"Something?" Dustin quipped in a sarcastic tone, "They were going at it!"

"What do we do now?" Suzie questioned, still in shock from the situation,

"What can we do?" Max crossed her arms, being the most decisive one, added, "We can't force them to make up or anything, I think what they need is time apart."

"But I'm still so confused that they were fighting though! El did they ever say anything about them having problems?" Lucas asked concerned.

The group turned to face the doe-eyed girl who had been quietly listening to the conversation this whole time; of course, she knew that this whole relationship was fake, but she didn't want to tell them, nor did she really understand what unfolded before her. Her gaze was intent as she cleared her throat, trying her best to be as shocked as they were, "Oh, no, nothing... maybe it's just teenage drama stuff, you know?" she lied believably.

"Yeah, maybe," Dustin replied quickly.

Mike, despite all the chaos around him, remained unusually silent; it was weird for him, usually he was always the loudest one in the room. Yet, on the inside, Mike couldn't help but feel a sense of... overwhelming joy now that Will was single. His emotions were in turmoil, and he wrestled with the complex feelings he had for his best friend; deep down, he believed the break up was genuine, and it left him both hopeful and bewildered... maybe all his wishing came true.

Lucas, noticing Mike's lack of reaction prodded, "Earth to Mike!" he said, waving a hand before his face, "You're awfully quiet, what's on your mind?"

Mike snapped back to the present, trying to mask his feelings, "Oh, it's just... it was all so unexpected; it took me by surprise; I'm super bummed for Will." he said with a fake pout.

The redhead rolled her eyes, trying her best not to call out his behaviour and make a joke at his expense, "Oh, must be such a bummer for you," she said, resisting a chuckle.

"Yeah... yeah," Mike whispered, albeit a little awkwardly.

"Maybe we should figure a way to get them to make up?" Suzie suggested the idea,

"Yeah!" Dustin added in support.

"One of us should go talk to Will, so he can make up with Robin." Lucas complimented the idea with his own point.

The suggestion hung in the air, not knowing who should be the one to go. In the silence Max caught a great idea, turning to Mike giving him a series of meaning full looks, mouthing to him from across the table. However, Mike stared right at her, his furrowed brow prominent as he was unable to catch on to Max's hints and utterly confused by this non-verbal communication.

Seeing that Mike wasn't picking up on her signals, Max let out a frustrated sigh, facepalming, "Oh for fucks sake!" she mumbled under her breath, "Mike!" she said a little more direct, "I think you should be the one to go... considering he is your best friend after all!"

Mike blinked, finally comprehending the redhead's intention, "Oh, right!" he mumbled, feeling a tad embarrassed for not catching up sooner. With that, he stood up proclaiming, "I want to be the one to talk to him... friend-to-friend, you know?" he chuckled nervous.

"If everyone is fine with that, then sure!" Dustin claimed, looking around the table as the rest of the members nodded except for El who seemed a little hesitant; was this a wise idea? She knew this was a fake break up after all. However the more she thought about it, the more she realised just how happy the brunette will be if Mike was the one to care for him; the boy he loved. So, she smiled, a little hopeful this was the right choice as she also nodded,

"I won't let you down!" Mike saluted, quickly detaching himself from the table and walking in the direction of where he saw Will go; now all he had to do was find him?

The ravenette took a deep breath; he somehow needed to find Will in this Mall; that was, if he was still in the Mall; the brunette had a tendency to run when something bad happens. He just hoped Will was alright and doesn't do anything stupid because of that girl. Mike didn't hate Robin... he just didn't particularly like her.

He thought about where Will could be in the Mall; Mike walked to the bathroom, near the direction where Will had gone. He opened the door to the bathroom, clenching his nose tight to not get a whiff of whatever was marinating in there. He shuddered at the thought, always hating strong stenches, it was not pleasant.

With one hand on his nose, Mike croaked out in a soft tone, a tad naisily, "Will?" He called, "Will, are you here?"

Stepping over to the stalls, Mike called out for Will once again, but he heard nothing. No sounds of crying, no sniffles, no coughs; was anyone even in this bathroom?

From below the stall door, he could see no shoes; no one must be here! So with that, the ravenette left the bathroom but not before washing his hands, he didn't want to contract anything from the public toilets, who knows what goes on there!

He opened the door to leave, finally taking a 'non-bathroom' gasp of air, "I'm never doing that again!" He grumbled to himself, before continuing his hunt.

Walking the Mall, he put himself in Will's shoes, "If I was Will, where would I be?" he mumbled to himself...

He knew it would be very possible that Will went to Scoops Ahoy to apologise to Robin and make everything better. Mike scoffed, Will didn't need to do anything; it was so clearly her fault, but considering Will is a gentleman, that is probably what he is doing.

So with a sigh, the tall boy made his way to the ever-familiar ice cream parlour. The moment it was in his sight he grumbled, if Will was here then he obviously had no intentions of actually breaking up with Robin; Mike just wanted them to be done and dusted. It was too much for them to be together.

The smell of waffles hit his nose the moment he entered; this was a treat after that stench in the bathroom. Making his way over to the counter, Steve stood there with a grin as chipper as always. 

Mike rang the bell repeatedly, loving to annoy Steve despite barely knowing him; he was a friend of a friend; Dustin's friend. Mike doesn't even know how they met, but he didn't question it.

Steve turned to him as the bell rang with an annoyed expression on his face, staring straight at Mike with a look of pure frustration, "I can hear you Wheeler!" He said in a deadpanned mock.

"Is Will here?" The ravenette questioned, finally stopping his tyrant on the bell.

"I don't get a 'hello' or a 'hi'?" The funky boy mocked with a chuckle.

"Just answer the question Steve!" Mike whined.

"Fine!" Steve rolled his eyes, "I'll go call him." Turning around to the sliding window, quietly calling, "Byers! Wheeler's here."

In a few seconds Will emerged from the break room, a sad expression on his face; Mike just wanted to take all that sadness away.

"Oh... Hey Mi-" the brunette said, sounding dejected but immediately cut off when the ravenette wrapped his arms around him. "Woah." Will said, his eyes widening, trying his best not to fall backwards.

"You looked like you needed a hug." Mike whispered softly, letting go as he continued, "So I was just wondering if you wanted to talk? I can even buy you one of those big cookies; I know you like them!"

"What?" Will muttered under his breath, a little confused, "We don't have to..." 

"No!" Mike cut off, "I want to buy it for you!" He beamed, a crinkle in his eyes, placing an arm over Will, leading him away from the parlour.

Will couldn't protest, nor would he, the way Mike was holding him, his sweet gaze, his scent; it reminded him of... the kiss.

He shrunk once again, Will had forgotten all of that and the confession due to the 'break up'. It really cleared his mind, possibly a little too well. Will didn't want to bring it up and honestly it seemed as if Mike was not even affected by it; perhaps the ravenette thought he meant it platonically...

Will exhaled the breath he was holding, yet keeping his guard up because he could never be too sure.

Mike dragged Will across the Mall, a comfortable silence hanging over them. Reaching the cookie place, the ravenette brought one for Will; one he knew Will would like; a chocolate chip cookie.

Handing it to him, Mike smiled, "Sorry about the break up." he said, trying his best to sound sympathetic but unable to hide the glint of amusement in his voice.

Will caught on but didn't mention it; he knew Mike wasn't a fan of Robin anyway, he assumed Mike was probably glad his best friend was single so he could choose his next girlfriend for him. Will shuddered at the thought; him being with a girl. "Yeah, it's nothing." Will said, a small fake frown on his face to keep up with the illusion. "Thanks for the cookie, again."

"Eh, don't worry about it, I don't mind spending my money on you!" Mike replied with an understanding nod, his expression suddenly shifting, serious yet gentle. "Let's find somewhere to sit down, I... want to ask you something."

Will's eyes widened, bracing himself for whatever was coming, "Okay," he replied, his voice slightly shaking.

Mike led the brunette into a secluded corner of the mall, finding themselves alone, surrounded by a serene atmosphere that contrasted the turmoil of their thoughts. Will's heart raced; here it was; Mike was going to bring up the confession; was Mike going to shout at him?

Sitting down on a bench, Mike took a deep breath, "I... I just wanted to speak to you about yesterday."

Will gulped the lump in his throat, looking into Mike's eyes with fear, "I'm so sorry for that, please don't hate me. I won't be able to handle it if you do."

"Will, I could never hate you; you mean too much to me." Mike's expression softened, reaching out to gently touch Will's arm, "That's... that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about."

"Umm... okay." the brunette wanted to run, cover his ears, anything but he couldn't move; stuck to his seat.

The ravenette took a deep breath, his voice calm and steady, "Will, I've been doing a lot of thinking recently, about everything, and I... I've come to realise somethings... somethings I can't ignore anymore."

The brunette's heart raced as he waited for Mike to continue.

"I was angry and annoyed that you were dating Robin... I was so jealous, and it drove me crazy, and I couldn't figure out why." Mike continued, not even bothering to take a breath, "And then when me and El decided it was time to go on a break, she told me I was always distracted and that... I talk about you so much; she said it was as if I was a part of you."

Will furrowed his brows, only slightly understanding what Mike was saying; he was scared.

"Will," Mike began, his voice slightly shaking, "I think I love you too, I'm sorry I haven't noticed it before... I know you just broke up with Robin, but I needed to tell you before you get back with her... will you be my boyfriend?"

The brunette blinked in surprise, his mind racing with a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. On one hand, these were the words he wanted from Mike since he was a little kid; since he first found out he was gay. And yet, another thought spiralled in his head, something Mike had said when he was drunk and it was growing bigger in his head with each passing moment,

'I wish you were a girl'

'I wish you were a girl'

'I WISH YOU WERE A GIRL'

'A GIRL'

Will finally spoke, his voice trembling... "No." 

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2124 Words

Stay Safe <3