WILL POV-

---- 8:12 AM ----

After dragging Mike to the corner of the school, Will began to speak, rambling about the 'relationship' between him and Robin; only leaving out details about Robin's sexuality and why she agreed to do it in the first place. All Will said was that Robin could tell how Will was struggling and said she would help, because she wanted to protect him.

Mike was obviously confused, blinking at all the information he just processed, he cleared his throat, "I can't believe you and Robin were fake dating this whole time and you never told me; we're supposed to be close... I- I wouldn't have judged you."

"I know this all seems so crazy and insane, but please just try to understand." Will begged.

"Understand what exactly?" Mike retorted; a tad angry. "You kept this from me and made me feel guilty for hating you and her together."

"Well, how do you think I felt?" the brunette argued, "Watching everyone else fall in love but me? You, Dustin, Lucas, even my mum and Jonathan got into relationships! And... I just have to stand there because I knew it was something I could never have; so, I did what I had to because I didn't want to feel like a waste."

"You're not a waste." Mike's voice softened, grabbing Will's hand.

"I am... I am." Will whispered, closing his eyes; he had taken what Troy had told him to heart; he just wasn't good enough. Not for anyone; he knew he shouldn't let this get to him but... hearing it come from someone else confirmed his feelings,

Immediately, the ravenette pulled Will into a tight hug. "You are not a waste." Mike repeated in a whisper, "I can't even imagine how you must have felt; I'm sorry I didn't understand... please don't be hard on yourself. You're not alone anymore, and you're definitely not unloved."

Mike continued his speech, "I should have been there for you, especially when you needed me the most. I'm sorry for making you feel so alone. You've been through so much... but you don't have to carry it all alone anymore. We're in this together, no matter what, okay?"

Resting his head against Mike's chest, the brunette nodded slightly; hoping it was the truth. But the voice in the back of his head loomed over him, calling him 'stupid', 'selfish', 'an inconvenience', 'a freak'; they mounted on him, but he wouldn't tell Mike.

And Mike despite having a confirmation from Will knew that this healing would take time; he had known Will longer than anyone else and could immediately tell the brunette was hurting on the inside. He just held Will closer, hoping their shared embrace might begin to mend the wounds of Will's own insecurities.

As they clung to each other on the side of the school, a new presence approached, Max's voice rang out, "Hey guys, El said you were-" she paused covering her mouth; beside her standing Lucas with Suzie and Dustin close behind. The redhead paused holding her arms out to stop the others from getting close.

Mike flipped his head around to see them, the Party's eyes widen upon seeing the intense hug between Mike and Will. Max was standing in front of the Party, exchanging a look with Mike who conveyed a simple message, 'Not now!' The redhead immediately understood this at a glance, nodding in understanding and gesturing to the others, silently indicating they should leave the pair to have some privacy.

The redhead then mouthed to Mike, "You need to explain everything later!" to which Mike rolled his eyes with a nod, grateful for her support.

And so, with their friends retreated, it left Mike and Will in their shared embrace. The ravenette gently pulled back to look into the brunette's eyes, his own filled with compassion and care. He pressed his lips to Will's forehead, sealing his actions with a gesture of affection,

---- 3:33 PM ----

The school day passed, and Will was incredibly tired; the morning's events never left his mind, but he pushed to the back of his head. The entire group head home, aka Mike's basement for a day of doing absolutely nothing. Mike had stated at lunch that he had something important to tell the rest of the group keeping the Party in suspense until they reached the safety of the Wheeler basement.

Although currently, Will had his arms securely wrapped around the ravenette, hugging him from behind as they navigated the familiar streets. It was a gesture that spoke connections as Will buried his head in the crook of Mike's neck from behind; constantly annoying him.

Max, who was mere feet away traveling close on her skateboard, squinted at them, he suspicions piqued. She couldn't help but notice the change in their dynamic; a subtle shift that hinted at something significant. She shared a glance with El who merely turned her head around embarrassed as if she was trying to hide something... it only confirmed Max's suspicions and yet, it seemed like the rest had no clue of the unspoken cues she had picked up on.

The ride continued as usual, and Mike led the group to his basement. Inside the dimly lit room, the group settled in, each finding their usual spots. Mike and Will stood before them exchanging a glance as Will whispered into the tall boy's ear, "Are you sure you're okay with it?" In response, Mike gave a little nod, his eyes filled with a mixture of nervousness and determination.

El sat on the floor, her legs crossed with a radiant smile painting her face, seemingly glowing in the dark; proud of what her friends were about to reveal. She had sensed this momentous occasion and was ready to support them.

With a deep breath, the ravenette stepped forward and began, his voice steady but with a hint of vulnerability, "Guys, there's something we want to tell you." he looked at Will who squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"We're dating!" Mike admitted, holding their entwined hands in the air as a symbol of their reaction.

A moment of silence hung in the basement as the group exchanged glances, processing the revelation. Then the void was broken only by Max who grinned and raised from her seat, clapping triumphantly, proud of her instincts, "I knew it! I fucking knew it!"

Dustin gave and enthusiastic whoop as Suzie cheered them on along with her boyfriend, her smile growing bright. Lucas on the other hand stared straight at the pair with no thoughts before exclaiming, "Woah... I owe Max so much money." Max couldn't help but smirk at her valid intuition. She patted Lucas on the back playfully, a satisfied grin on her face.

"Wait? But I thought you were dating Robin?" Suzie piped up as a thought hit her, pointing at Will. "And you were with... El?" she said utterly confused.

"Yeah!" Dustin supported, "I'm a little confused."

Will and Mike exchanged a knowing glance and Will knew it was time to explain this whole ordeal... for the second time today. So with a sigh, the brunette replied, "The thing is... that, that relationship with me and Robin was fake..."

"So this whole time, it was fake?" Lucas repeated.

"Yep!" Will nodded, very matter-of-fact.

"Why?" Max piped up, genuinely interested; now this was new information to her.

"Because..." Will stated, not knowing if he wanted to tell the group the real reason why but feeling Mike squeezing his hand with a reassuring smile, the brunette continued, "Because I felt lonely seeing you all so lovey-dovey and I asked Robin if she could pretend to date me so that I wouldn't be the odd one out."

When Will finished his explanation, a wave of empathy and support washed over his friends. Without hesitation, they enveloped him into a big, warm hug. It was understanding an accepting; reinforcing the way they loved him and will always be there for him.

In the midst of their embrace, words weren't necessary. The connection and unity they shared spoke volumes, reassuring Will that everything would be fine.

After a few seconds of this tight hug the group let go and Dustin questioned, "And Mike? Was your relationship with El fake?" casting a glance toward the ravenette and El who merely stood quietly, her brows furrowed.

Now it was the ravenette's time to speak, swallowing a lump in his throat, "Me and El were dating; we really did like each other but... we just drifted apart. No hard feelings."

"Yep! No hard feelings!" El said enthusiastically repeating what Mike said, "I like someone else anyway!"

The group leaned in eagerly, asking, "WHO?" Max's eyes widened!

El blushed and sheepishly admitted the name, "Jennifer Hayes..." and the entire group was excited to help them.

"We need to come up with a plan! What should we do?" Suzie inquired.

"Yeah," Lucas chimed in, "What should we do to help? He said brainstorming ideas to help her make that happen, each offering their own different date suggestions,

"What if we set up a surprise picnic for them?" Suzie pondered.

"That's a bit much... how about a beach day? Everyone loves the beach?" Dustin shrugged.

"And the beach isn't too much?" Max quipped,

"Well, it's not as crazy as a picnic!" Dustin threw his hands in the air.

"What's wrong with a picnic?" Suzie furrowed her brows with a pout,

"Nothing Suzie-poo, but for a first date we don't want to come off too strong." the curly haired boy pouted apologetic.

"When we first met, you made a robot for me." Suzie deadpanned,

"Oh yeah..." Dustin scratched the back of his neck,

Lucas rolled his eyes, speaking, "A robot on the first date?" he asked in awe.

"Well it worked, didn't it?" the curly haired boy said proud,

Mike chimed into the conversation, speaking, "How about a movie night; it would be cozy and stuff."

"But isn't that too intimate?" El questioned,

Will drowned out his friends, remaining silent during the brainstorm, lost in thought. He was just happy the spotlight was taken off of him and Mike but also that his friends hadn't gone overboard with questions or made a big deal over everything.

Will thought for a bit, coming up with an idea to help his sister; she had done so much for him, so it was time to return the favour, "How about roller skating?" he blurted aloud, causing all eyes to face him, "We can all go so it's fun and relaxed but also low pressure. Plus... you can hold her hand so she doesn't fall." he said turning to El with a mischievous wink.

The group exchanged looks but it was El's bright grin that was evident; her face lit up and her blush remained heavy as she jumped up and down excitedly, "I LOVE that idea!"

"We've got your back El, we'll support you the whole time!" The brunette smiled as the group took their seats on the couch, huddling around to discuss how to get El and Jennifer together. 

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1852 Words

Stay Safe <3