WILL POV-

After wearing his spare uniform from his locker, Will went to the art room and threw his apron on. The familiar scent of paint and wood filled the air, proving little comfort; this room was his sanctuary, a place he could let his thoughts flow into each stroke of the brush, but today, his mind was anything but serene.

He dipped his brush into a palette of soft blues and green, trying to lose himself in the motion, but his mind kept drifting back to the earlier events. Mike suddenly became involved in his life, tackling him at the train station and then making him stay at his house for the night.

He didn't understand. Yesterday, the ravenette was relentless, practically hovering over him and offering unsolicited help, but then, just as quick he backed off. The brunette's thoughts spiralled, unsure why Mike was avoiding him, was is because of what happened on the bus? And seeing how tiring Will was to deal with?

Will wished Mike would have left him alone to begin with, instead of doing all of this.

Troy and James weren't always like this either; they used to be neutral, even friendly at times. They were never friends by any means but there wasn't that hostility that existed now. The problem started when the brunette didn't give up on a reginal competition; it wasn't even a big competition considering the national tournaments Will had won.

But Troy's sister was one of the shoe-ins to win, and everyone knew it; she submitted her application months in advance, proudly showing off her work. But Will, as aloof as he was, didn't even know she applied until after he submitted his work at the last minute. When the results came in, and Will's painting was announced the winner, he felt Troy's eyes on him. As if he had committed a crime by winning.

After that, everything changed. Troy and the others started looking at him differently, mixing resentment and annoyance. They began spreading rumours amongst their friend group that Will thought he was too good for them, that he was showing off to make them all look bad. In their eyes will crossed a line and they never let him forget it.

In all honesty, Will didn't even want to enter at first, knowing that it would only draw attention. But when he saw the reward- the prize money, he knew he had to compete. The money was more than just a bonus; it was a necessity. He could use it to help with the rent, the bus fare and to buy food.

In his thoughts, Will's brush slipped, leaving an unintended streak across the canvas. He quickly tried to correct the mistake, but the damage had already been done and the sound of footsteps clicked towards him.

Mrs O'Donnell, the art teacher leaned over, her brows furrowing as she crossed her arms, her expression souring. "Mr Byers!" she began, her voice sharp, "Stop playing around! Get yourself together!" she said, not bothering to sugarcoat her words. But she was right, Will was increasingly degrading in quality, ever since his mum was sent to prison for a crime she didn't commit.

"Sorry..." Will mumbled, keeping his eyes fixed on the canvas. Will only painted for his mum, she was the one who brought him his first crayon pack... but now, he had no motivation and his work showed it.

"Tsk," the teacher clicked her tongue, "Carry on," she said before walking away, leaving the room as she was called away.

Will was now alone, the quiet now fully enveloping him. He was used to the quiet. A lot of people knew Will just because of his paintings, he was partly famous, some of his art even being in the gallery and his face on the news – that was all people knew him for... it was irritating. He just wanted to be left alone.

Sighing, he wanted to fix his mistake that plundered his canvas, to at least salvage something from the mistake.

As he worked, the door creaked open, and two students entered. Casting a side-eye glance, Will saw them, immediately recognising them some of Troy's friends- Angela and Jake- a 'power couple' who were never as cruel as Troy or James where, but still took every opportunity they could to make the brunette's life harder. They stepped over, walking over to his canvas.

Without missing a beat, Jake questioned, "I heard you're close to Mike Wheeler."

"Why does that matter?" Will replied cold, clearly uninterested as he continued painting like they weren't there.

"Cause, how does someone like him... know someone like you?" Angela crossed her arms as if actually interested in the answer.

"Someone like him?" the brunette furrowed his brows, repeated her question.

"Don't tell me you don't know Mike Wheeler," Angela replied, as if it was obvious, "I heard that after his old friend betrayed him, that he broke his legs and had to move schools."

"And that he fought seven guys at once... and won," Jake backed up his girlfriend's point.

Will paused, almost laughing at the absurdity, he didn't believe them; it sounded like rumours spun out of control, how could those even be true? He questioned to himself. The Mike he met yesterday wasn't like that... at all. "Really?"

"How could you not know? Are you that dense? Even that cry-baby Jane knows him," Angela quipped, as if lecturing him.

"This is actually pathetic," Will rolled his eyes, moving out the way to get some more paint.

A hand pushed him back, Jake didn't let him leave "Did you just disrespect my girlfriend?"

"Yo Byers!" A third voice cut through the air, and before they could push further, a new figure entered the room. James, Troy's right-hand man stepped forward, his steps calculated yet calm. Will looked at the trio, he knew something bad was going to happen if James was here, he packed the most physical damage out of the bullies...

Will appeared unbothered as usual, he didn't care anymore. If they punched him he was going to fight back; its not like his mother or brother was at home to disappoint anymore. Will wondered, was he going to get punched? Kicked? Or just taunted? Or all three?

But to Will's surprise though, James didn't join in on the taunting, he looked more... uncomfortable. Scratching the back of his neck, he glanced around before nervously addressing Will with a deep breath, "I'm sorry for what I've done in the past."

The brunette furrowed his brow, staring at James' face; was that really him? That was the last thing Will expected to hear. He almost verbally exclaimed but maintained his quiet.

"I said I'm sorry. So, tell Mike Wheeler that I've apologised to you, okay?" James said clearly, leaving no room for anything to be misinterpreted.

Will stared at James, stunned by the unexpected apology and it seemed like he wasn't the only one; Angela and Jake looked at James with confusion too, but they didn't say anything. Will wasn't sure what to say. This was the first time any of them had ever shown a hint of remorse; what the Hell did Mike do that everyone is so scared of him? Were the rumours actually true?

James nodded awkwardly, then turning to leave the room, his usual persona was replaced by a strange sense of vulnerability. Angela and Jake followed annoyed, casting back a glance or two.

As they were about to leave the room, they bumped El in the doorframe; her expression timid as she paused seeing their faces. Quickly, she moved to one side, allowing the trio to leave, hoping that would be the extent of their interactions. However, as Angela walked past El, she couldn't resist a parting joke,

"Good Luck with your little doodles Jane. Maybe one day you could make another one of your 'diarrhoeas' for the class." Angela sneered, mocking El's way of speaking and calling her by the name she hated.

The doe-eyed girl slightly flinched at the remark but didn't respond. She just kept her head down, clutching at the art supplies a little tighter as she made her way to her usual spot. Angela and her boyfriend snickered, quickly leaving the scene.

Will watched the interaction, feeling sympathy for El; she was also on the receiving end of Troy and his gang due to her social unawareness. It was sad to see considering she was the sweetest person ever. Will couldn't do much however, he just turned a blind eye, he didn't want to get involved in anyone's lives... and didn't want anyone to get involved in his.

His thoughts spiralled once more, thinking about the Ravenette and the words Angela, James and Jake used to describe him, as if he was hiding deadly weapons on him. Did he force James to apologise to him?

Eventually, Will broke the silence, "Hey El?" he asked, his voice quiet but clear. She looked at him, her eyes meeting his for a brief second before returning to her work, she quietly nodded. In response, Will asked, "Do you what class Mike is in?"

MIKE POV-

AHHHCHOO

Mike sneezed, the abruptness starling him, quickly wiping his nose with his tie, muttering to himself, "Someone must be talking about me..." he thought, amused by the old superstition.

He looked out the window, watching the rustling of trees outside; it all looked so normal but the ravenette new better. He shuffled in his seat for he just couldn't sit still knowing Will's fondness was low; it was as if his mind was only preoccupied with that thought; wondering how he would get Will's fondness up without actually seeing him in person.

To get his fondness up, Mike had to see Will, but to see Will means Mike needs to increase fondness. It was a vicious cycle, he lamented in his brain, clicking his pen against the table.

Suddenly, he turned around in his seat, leaning back causally as he saw Dustin, the boy he asked for help yesterday. Even though they were basically strangers, Mike didn't care. He had too big of a task to complete...

[Make Will Byers Happy]

As if on cue, the pink message appeared before his eyes again.

"Dustin," Mike began, sounding as casual as possible, "Are you studying?"

"Nope... I just forgot to do some homework," Dustin replied quick, wanting to end the conversation.

Mike looked down at his worksheet, it was English. Luckily, that was his best subject, "It's that one." He pointed at the second answer confident.

"Oh," Dustin paused, he thought Mike was just a dumb rebellious teenager, "You're actually right,"

"Anyways, do you know Will Byers well?" Mike questioned, a hopeful smile on his face,

"I guess..." Dustin nodded, "My friends are his fans and want Will to appear on their livestreams."

"Livestreams?" Mike questioned but shook his head, "Actually, that's not important right now," he muttered to himself before continuing his questioning, "Is he getting bullied?"

Dustin thought about it slightly, clearly puzzled by Mike's sudden interest. But he decided to answer anyway. "Probably... I know some kids don't like him... but I think Troy and his friends are actually bullying him."

Mike raised his brows, astonished at the revelation, "And no one is doing anything about it? Not even the teachers?"

Dustin shook his head, "They step in sometimes... but Troy's rich, his mom will just donate something to keep him from being disciplined."

"Right..." Mike nodded, as if thinking of a plan.

"I don't suggest interacting with them," the curly haired boy passed some friendly advice despite Mike's rumours, "They can just buy their way out."

"No worries," The ravenette smiled, his grin sinister, "I'm not one to get violent." He was, in fact, one to get violent. Suddenly, the pink notification box appeared once more before Mike's eyes, alerting him of the brunette's presence,

[50M to Love Supremacy Zone]

"Where?!" Mike shot up from his seat once the message popped up; he scanned the classroom and without thinking the ravenette bolted out the class, nearly knocking down another student in the process.

Dustin blinked, watching the scene unfold before his very eyes; what kind of reaction was that? Considering the rumours surrounding Mike, perhaps he shouldn't have told him all of that... would he be an accessory to battery?

Reaching the doorframe, Mike saw turned to his right, seeing Will, his hand slightly raised as if to voice a complaint; they made eye contact. But instead, Mike took off, running in the opposite direction.

Will watched, his mouth agape at the audacity. Mike thought he could escape Will this way, but only to find out the brunette was chasing him full steam ahead, still wearing his painting apron, "No running in the halls!" Mike instructed,

"Then why are you running?" Will chased after him down the corridor,

Just as Mike feared, another series of messages appeared in his eyes,

[Entering the Love Supremacy Zone]

[Fondness: -35]

[Debuff Due to Low Fondness]

The ravenette stopped immediately, watching almost in slow motion as Will's foot slipped, sending him off-balance and directly into a girl with fiery-red hair who was talking to her phone; this was the debuff. Mike leapt into action, attempting to save the brunette from unfolding disaster. Shimmying himself to one side, Mike got between Will and the girl, catching Will's shoulders from behind, only seconds away from colliding.

"What were you thi-" Mike was about to reprimand Will for running but before he could, the girl began speaking.

"Here we have our Mad-dog Mike Wheeler with our Van-Gogh Will Byers, looks like they are clamouring to be on my live stream today!" the girl spoke into her phone, livestreaming the event, "I never thought I'd get one of them on a livestream, let alone both at the same time!" she cooed.

Mike and Will exchanged a confused Look, more bewildered than anything. Mike was still holding onto the brunette, and Will was too confused by what was going on to say something about it.

"How did I meet them?" The girl read a comment from her phone, "Well, Will here is the clumsy, shy painter type and Mike here is my knight in shining armour! What a chivalrous bad-boy, I know you guys like that type! Okay guys, vote who your fav is!" she winked, chuckling,

"I thought I was your knight, Max?" Another voice chuckled, coming from a few feet away, walking toward them; the boy was athletic, his physique strong.

"Yeah, yeah, Lucas, I know. You're the only one for me and stuff." The girl replied in a jocular tone,

"Darn right!" Lucas rolled his eyes playfully, placing an arm over her, "Next thing you guys know, I'll be beating guys off with a stick for Max!" he said into the phone as the pair began to walk away, finding a better place to record,

"Ohh looks like it's a 50/50." Lucas looked at the poll on the screen.

"Bye guys! Let's do this again!" Max turned her head around, addressing Mike and Will as if she had known them forever,

"What the fuck was that?" Mike muttered more to himself, that was the weirdest interaction he has ever had, and he was sent to a video-game.

"Umm... Mike?" the brunette alerted the ravenette, casting his eyes downwards.

The ravenette cut out of his bewilderment, looking down to see how he was still holding onto Will like a protective boyfriend. "Yikes!" Mike chuckled nervous, immediately letting go.

Waiting no time, Will questioned, crossing his arms, "Why did you run away?"

"Me?" the ravenette feigned innocence.

"Yes you!" Will deadpanned, "You were avoiding me."

The tall boy thought back to the previous debuffs, and what could have happened if he had not noticed them when he did; the flickering light, the bullies and now this. Taking a deep breath, he replied,

"Well, for me to be around you, you have to like me more."

----

2599 Words

Its 4am I apologise for mistakes

Stay Safe <3