chapter one:
❛ scarlett, do you copy? ❜

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It had been six long months since the Snowball, a night that had marked a turning point in Scarlett's life. In that time, she had distanced herself from nearly everyone—except for Dustin, Will, and Max. It wasn't that she had anything against Lucas, but his deepening friendship with Mike had created an invisible line between them. As they bonded over their respective relationships, Scarlett found herself more and more isolated, her feelings toward Mike twisting into a knot of jealousy, anger, and confusion. She still liked Mike, but she would never admit it—not to him, and certainly not to herself.

The fake relationship with Dustin had somehow endured, even though he'd been away at Science Camp for the last month. With summer in full swing, Scarlett kept herself busy working at the hospital, where she found solace in the monotony of her job. The routine was a welcome distraction from her emotional turmoil, a way to keep her mind off the tangled mess of her feelings.

Scarlett had just finished rolling a cart into a patient's room. The soft hum of the hospital's air conditioning was the only sound in the dimly lit space as she quietly placed a tray of food on the bedside table. The patient was asleep, their chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm, completely oblivious to her presence. Scarlett tiptoed out of the room and made her way back to the nurses' station, where she sank into a chair with a sigh of relief. Two more minutes, and she would be done with her shift. The thought of going home to relax sounded perfect, but instead, she was being dragged to the movies by Max—a plan she had no real interest in, but couldn't seem to refuse.

As Scarlett leaned back, trying to steal a moment of peace, her walkie-talkie crackled to life, breaking the stillness. "Scarlett, do you copy?" Mike's voice filtered through, immediately setting her on edge.

She grabbed the radio, her tone sharp and unwelcoming. "What do you want, Wheeler?"

"I just left El's. I'm on my way to get you," Mike replied, his voice slightly breathless, as if he was pushing his bike hard, racing against time—or perhaps, against something else entirely.

Scarlett rolled her eyes, her irritation growing. "What?" she snapped, the disbelief and annoyance clear in her voice. The last thing she wanted was for Mike to pick her up. It was bad enough that she had to go to the movies, but now Mike was involved? It felt like the universe was playing a cruel joke on her.

"Just—just come on, Scarlett. I don't get why you're so angry at me," Mike said, frustration creeping into his voice. Scarlett could hear the strain in his breathing, the effort he was putting into this ride. But it did nothing to soften her.

"Maybe because you're blind," she spat back, her anger flaring. "Whatever, you're lucky. My brother dropped me off this morning."

She shoved the walkie-talkie back into her pocket with more force than necessary and grabbed her bag, her movements stiff and frustrated. She stepped outside into the warm summer evening, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as she tried to prepare herself for what was coming. But the sight of Mike waiting for her on his bike, with that familiar grin plastered on his face, was enough to make her blood boil all over again.

"Hi, Scar," he greeted her with a smile that might have once made her heart skip a beat, but now only made her jaw clench in anger.

"Don't fucking call me that," she snapped, her voice cold and full of venom. The nickname felt like a slap in the face, a reminder of how close they used to be—how close they were supposed to be.

Mike sighed, the smile fading from his face. He didn't argue with her; he just waited as she climbed onto the back of his bike, her arms wrapping around his waist out of necessity, not desire. The warmth of his back through his shirt was a painful reminder of all the things she was trying so hard to forget.

They rode in silence for a while, the wind whipping through Scarlett's hair as they sped down the quiet streets. The ride that should have been easy and carefree felt heavy, weighed down by the unspoken tension between them. Scarlett couldn't help but notice how tense Mike seemed, his shoulders rigid, his grip on the handlebars tight. But she refused to let herself care. She had to protect herself, even if it meant pushing him away.

"No El tonight?" Scarlett finally asked, trying to sound casual, but failing to hide the bitterness that slipped into her voice.

"No. Hopper said too many people," Mike replied, his tone flat, as if he could sense the minefield he was navigating.

Scarlett felt a twinge of satisfaction at the thought of Eleven not being there, but it was quickly replaced by a surge of guilt. It wasn't El's fault—none of this was. But still, the anger bubbled up inside her, fueled by the image of Mike and El together, laughing, kissing, being happy—while she was left in the cold, watching from the sidelines.

The silence between them grew thicker, more suffocating, as they rode on. Scarlett could feel the tension building in her chest, a pressure that made it hard to breathe. She wanted to say something, to break the silence, to lash out, to scream—anything to release the storm of emotions that was tearing her apart. But she couldn't. She wouldn't. Instead, she stayed silent, holding onto her anger like a lifeline, the only thing keeping her from falling apart completely.

As they approached the mall, Scarlett's heart sank. She didn't want to be here. She didn't want to face the awkwardness, the forced smiles, the pretending that everything was okay when it wasn't. She just wanted to go home, to hide away where she didn't have to deal with any of this. But it was too late now. She was here, and there was no turning back.

Mike brought the bike to a stop outside the theater, and Scarlett reluctantly let go of him, sliding off the bike with a huff. She avoided his gaze as she adjusted her bag on her shoulder, trying to focus on anything but the boy standing in front of her.

"Thanks for the ride," she muttered, not meaning it at all.

"Sure," Mike replied, his voice softer now, almost hesitant. "Scarlett, I—"

But whatever he was about to say was cut off as Max and Lucas came into view, waving excitedly. Scarlett forced a smile, trying to push down the bitterness that was rising in her throat. She could see the concern in Max's eyes, the way she looked at Scarlett as if she knew something was wrong but didn't know how to fix it. Scarlett hated it—hated that her emotions were so visible, so raw. But she couldn't help it. Not when everything felt like it was falling apart.

"You're both late," Lucas said, his voice tinged with frustration, as he stood with his arms crossed in front of the mall entrance. His posture was rigid, and he tapped his foot impatiently on the pavement. The dimming evening light cast long shadows, highlighting the scowl on his face. "Again," he added, drawing out the word as Scarlett and Mike finally made their way toward the group.

"We're gonna miss the opening," Will chimed in, his tone edged with disappointment. His brows furrowed as he glanced nervously at the entrance, the neon lights of the movie theater flickering just beyond.

Mike sighed, already on the defensive. "I had to pick Scar up," he explained, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation. Without thinking, he reached out to take Scarlett's wrist, intending to pull her along and speed things up. But as soon as his fingers closed around her wrist, Scarlett's entire demeanor shifted.

"Don't touch me," she snapped, her eyes blazing as she yanked her wrist free from his grip. The harshness in her voice cut through the evening air like a knife. "And I told you not to call me Scar," she added, the bitterness in her tone unmistakable.

Mike recoiled slightly, clearly taken aback by her reaction. His frown deepened, but before he could respond, Max and Will stepped forward, concern evident on their faces. Max gave Mike a brief, apologetic look before turning to Scarlett, her expression softening.

"Come on, let's just go in," Max suggested, trying to defuse the tension. She gently linked arms with Scarlett, offering her a small, reassuring smile. Will, always the peacekeeper, did the same on Scarlett's other side, and together they formed a united front.

Scarlett sighed, her initial anger ebbing away as she allowed herself to be guided by Max and Will. "Let's go," she muttered under her breath, her voice barely above a whisper.

As they approached the mall entrance, the bright lights and the distant hum of chatter from the bustling crowds seemed to magnify the awkwardness hanging between them. Sensing an opportunity to poke fun, Lucas couldn't resist another jab.

"Let me guess. You were busy with El," Lucas teased, his tone dripping with mockery. He puckered his lips exaggeratedly, mimicking a kiss and making an obnoxious smacking sound.

Scarlett rolled her eyes, clearly unimpressed, but everyone else broke into laughter, the tension from earlier momentarily forgotten. Even Will couldn't hold back a chuckle.

"Oh, yeah, real mature, Lucas," Mike shot back, his voice laced with sarcasm. He crossed his arms over his chest, trying to maintain his composure, but it was clear the teasing was getting to him.

Lucas, however, was just getting started. "Oh, El, I wish we could make out forever and never hang out with any of our friends!" he continued, his voice a high-pitched, exaggerated version of Mike's.

"Lucas, stop," Max interjected, her voice firm and slightly annoyed. She shot her boyfriend a warning look, but Lucas just shrugged.

"Will thinks it's funny," Lucas said, nodding toward Will, who was still chuckling.

"Because it is," Will admitted with a grin, his laughter breaking through the earlier tension.

Mike, however, wasn't amused. "Yeah, it's so funny that I want to spend romantic time with my girlfriend," he retorted, the frustration in his voice palpable.

"I'm spending romantic time with my girlfriend," Lucas countered, not missing a beat as he wrapped his arm around Max's shoulders, pulling her closer to him in a possessive gesture.

As they continued walking, they reached the base of the escalators. The mall was crowded with people milling about, some heading to the food court, others browsing the nearby shops. The group had to push through the throngs of people to get to the escalator, which was packed with more bodies moving in sync.

Scarlett, clearly fed up with the crowd, shoved a teenage girl out of her way as she neared the end of the escalator. The girl stumbled slightly, shooting Scarlett an irritated glare.

"Hey!" the girl exclaimed, her voice indignant as she straightened her jacket.

Scarlett, without even bothering to look back, flipped her off with a casual, almost dismissive wave of her hand. The gesture was so automatic that it barely registered to her.

Will, who had been watching this exchange with concern, turned to Max. "Scarlett's seemed more angry lately," he observed quietly, his gaze lingering on Scarlett as she marched ahead of them. There was genuine worry in his voice, a reflection of the growing distance he felt between Scarlett and the rest of the group.

Max sighed, her expression a mix of sympathy and frustration. "She's just angry because of Mike and El being together," she explained, her voice softening as she spoke. "Hopefully, she'll get over it," she added, though there was a hint of doubt in her tone.

As they navigated through the crowd, Mike suddenly dashed forward, trying to catch up with Scarlett. In his haste, he accidentally bumped into her, knocking both of them off balance. The impact sent them both sprawling to the ground, with Mike landing on top of Scarlett.

"Get the fuck off me!" Scarlett screamed, her voice filled with a mix of rage and panic. She shoved Mike off of her with all the strength she could muster, her heart racing as she scrambled to her feet. Without giving him a second glance, she turned on her heel and sprinted away from the group, her emotions swirling in a chaotic storm.

Scarlett's mind was a blur as she made her way to the far end of the mall, her feet carrying her to a place where she could find some semblance of peace. The neon sign of Scoops Ahoy came into view, and she headed straight for it, her pace slowing as she reached the entrance.

Pushing the door open, Scarlett felt a wave of relief wash over her as she stepped inside the ice cream parlor. The sweet scent of waffle cones and sugary treats filled the air, a welcome contrast to the tense atmosphere she had just left behind.

Robin, who was behind the counter, looked up as Scarlett approached, her expression shifting from boredom to surprise at the sight of her friend. "Robin, please save me," Scarlett pleaded, her voice a mix of exhaustion and desperation. She ducked under the small door that separated the customer area from the back of the counter, seeking refuge with someone who understood her without judgment.

"From what, Scar?" Robin asked with a chuckle, her amusement clear as she watched Scarlett's dramatic entrance.

Scarlett didn't need to say anything more. She snapped her fingers in the direction of the door, where Mike, Max, Lucas, and Will were just walking in, their earlier laughter replaced with expressions of concern and confusion.

Scarlett and Robin had become fast friends when Steve started working at Scoops. In the months since, Scarlett had confided in Robin about everything—her frustrations with Mike, her powers, the truth about her biological mother. Robin, in turn, had shared her own secrets, and Scarlett had accepted her without hesitation. Their friendship was built on trust and mutual respect, a rare connection that Scarlett cherished deeply.

As Mike approached the counter, he started ringing the service bell repeatedly, his impatience from earlier returning in full force. The annoying *ding ding ding* of the bell filled the small space, grating on everyone's nerves.

Robin shot him a glare, clearly unamused by his antics. "Hey, dingus, your children are here!" she yelled over her shoulder, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

A moment later, Steve emerged from the back, sliding open the doors with a look of disbelief. He scanned the group of teens standing in front of the counter, his expression a mixture of irritation and exasperation.

"Again? Seriously?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow at Mike, who just smirked and rang the bell once more for good measure.

Ignoring Scarlett's obvious disinterest, the rest of the group headed into the back with Steve, who was preparing to sneak them into the movie theater as usual.

Scarlett, however, lingered behind, her thoughts a tangled mess. She wasn't in the mood for a movie, especially not after the emotional whirlwind she'd just endured.

"Can I help you hand out ice cream?" Scarlett asked Robin, her voice soft and almost vulnerable, a stark contrast to the angry tone she'd used with Mike earlier.

Robin sent her a warm grin, her eyes sparkling with understanding. "Of course," she replied, glad to have Scarlett's company.

As Scarlett handed a customer their ice cream, a sudden darkness enveloped the shop. The flickering neon lights outside the glass windows of Scoops Ahoy went out one by one, plunging the entire mall into an eerie silence. Scarlett furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, her hand freezing mid-air as she passed the cone to the customer.

"The fuck?" Scarlett muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible over the hushed murmurs of other patrons in the shop. The darkness felt oppressive, almost like a heavy blanket pressing down on them.

Steve, who had been leaning against the counter with a bored expression, immediately straightened up. "That's weird," he stated, his tone carrying a mix of concern and annoyance. He walked over to the light switch on the wall, flicking it up and down repeatedly in a futile attempt to restore the lights. The room remained stubbornly dark, the clicking of the switch the only sound breaking the silence.

Scarlett stared at Steve, her disbelief clear on her face. "Steve—" she started, her voice tinged with impatience, but Robin quickly cut her off.

"That isn't gonna work, dingus," Robin retorted, her sarcasm biting even in the darkness. She crossed her arms and shot him an exasperated look, clearly unimpressed with his efforts.

"Oh, really?" Steve shot back, a hint of defiance in his voice. Then, he turned to Scarlett, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "Scar, do your magic."

Scarlett sighed, knowing exactly what he was asking her to do. The thought of it made her uneasy; it was one thing to use her powers in small doses, but trying to fix a power outage that was affecting the entire town would drain her energy quickly. Still, with everyone looking at her expectantly, she knew she couldn't back down.

She took a deep breath, closing her eyes to focus. Scarlett let her consciousness spread out, searching for the source of the blackout. She could feel the absence of electricity like a gaping void, stretching across the town. Every nerve in her body tingled with the raw power she was about to unleash.

Scarlett clenched her jaw, feeling the familiar buzz of electricity as it began to course through her veins. Her muscles tensed, and her breath quickened as she concentrated on pulling the energy from within her, sending it out into the dark void. It was like trying to fill an endless abyss with a single drop of water, and she could feel the strain almost immediately.

Blood trickled from her nose, the metallic taste filling her senses as she gasped, forcing the power out in one last push. The shop's lights flickered back to life, followed by the dull hum of electricity returning throughout the mall.

As the lights blazed back on, Scarlett stumbled back, her head pounding with a sharp, persistent ache. The room seemed to spin around her, and she pressed a hand to her temple, trying to steady herself.

"The power was out all over town," Scarlett managed to say, her voice strained as she held her throbbing head. The effort had drained her more than she'd expected, and she felt her knees threaten to buckle.

Robin, always quick on her feet, scooped a generous serving of Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream onto a cone and handed it to Scarlett. "Here," she said gently, her concern clear in her eyes. "Don't want you to pass out."

Scarlett took the cone with a weak smile, grateful for the cold, sweet treat. She licked the ice cream slowly, savoring the familiar taste. "My favorite," she murmured, her voice soft but sincere. The coolness of the ice cream seemed to help clear the fog in her mind, grounding her back in the present moment.

As Scarlett leaned against the counter, Robin stood beside her, offering silent support. Steve watched them from a distance, a mixture of admiration and concern in his eyes, knowing that Scarlett had done something remarkable, yet risky. For now, the lights were on, but the price Scarlett had paid to bring them back was written in the tired lines of her face.

An hour or so later, the group walked back into Scoops Ahoy through the back entrance, their laughter filling the quiet space. The joyful energy of the group contrasted sharply with Scarlett's exhausted demeanor as she stood behind the counter, absentmindedly wiping down a spot that was already clean. The lights overhead buzzed softly, a reminder of the effort it had taken to restore power to the town.

Will was the first to notice her distance. "Why didn't you come with us?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Scarlett shrugged, keeping her tone casual. "Didn't feel like it," she replied, her eyes avoiding his. "But y'all should be lucky—I turned the lights back on for you guys."

Mike, ever the optimist, tried to bridge the gap. He flashed her a grin, hoping to break through her walls. "Thanks, Scar," he said earnestly, hoping his appreciation would reach her.

Scarlett met his gaze briefly, her expression unreadable. But instead of softening, she rolled her eyes, dismissing his gratitude. She didn't linger in the awkward silence that followed, turning her attention instead to Steve and Robin. "Goodbye, guys," she said, her voice steady but distant as she waved.

As she turned to leave, Max grabbed her arm, pulling her to the side. The concern in Max's eyes was palpable, her voice gentle yet firm. "Scarlett, are you okay?"

Scarlett forced a smile, the effort it took almost painful. "I'm fine," she lied smoothly, her words rehearsed from countless similar conversations. "Just tired. I had to turn the power back on." She shrugged as if it was no big deal, but the exhaustion in her eyes told a different story.

Max studied her, doubt flickering in her gaze, but she didn't push. "Okay," she murmured, nodding slowly. She wanted to believe Scarlett, but something didn't feel right. Still, she chose to respect Scarlett's boundaries, for now.

The group began to make their way out of the mall, the cold night air brushing against their faces as they stepped outside. Scarlett walked with her head down, avoiding eye contact, her body language screaming that she wanted to be left alone. She could feel Mike's gaze on her, the weight of his concern pressing down on her like a heavy blanket.

As they reached the parking lot, the tension that had been simmering within Scarlett all night boiled over. She was just steps away from freedom, from the solitude she craved, when Mike suddenly moved in front of her, blocking her path.

"Scarlett, we need to talk," he said, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Scarlett stopped in her tracks, her fists clenching at her sides. The anger she had been suppressing all night surged to the surface, and she felt her control slipping. "There's nothing to talk about, Mike," she snapped, her voice sharp with frustration.

Mike didn't back down. His eyes were filled with a mix of confusion and determination. "Yes, there is," he insisted, taking a step closer. "I don't understand what's going on with you, but I want to. Please, just talk to me."

Scarlett looked up at him, her heart pounding so hard she thought it might burst from her chest. She could see the sincerity in his eyes, the concern that had always been there, even if she had tried to ignore it. But instead of softening, his concern only stoked the fire of her anger. How dare he pretend to care now, after everything they had been through? After all the times he had ignored her feelings, brushed off her pain?

"You don't get it, Mike," she hissed, her voice trembling with barely suppressed rage. "You never did. And you never will."

Mike's face fell, his expression shifting from confusion to hurt. He reached out to her, his hand hovering in the air as if he wasn't sure whether to touch her or not. "Scarlett, I'm trying to understand. I'm sorry if I've been distant, but that doesn't mean I don't care. You're my friend. I—" He hesitated, searching for the right words. "I just want to help."

But Scarlett was beyond being helped. The anger that had been building up for weeks, maybe even months, finally erupted. "Help?" she repeated, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You think you can help me? You think you can just say a few nice words and make everything better? You have no idea what I've been through, Mike. You don't know anything about me."

Mike recoiled slightly at her words, the pain in his eyes deepening. "Then tell me," he pleaded, his voice cracking. "Tell me what's going on. Let me in, Scar. I'm your friend. I care about you. I—"

But Scarlett wasn't listening. She couldn't. The anger and hurt inside her were too overwhelming, drowning out any rational thought. "It's too late for that," she spat, her voice cold and final. "You can't just waltz back into my life and pretend like everything's fine. You don't know me, Mike. And you never will."

With that, she pushed past him, her shoulder brushing against his as she stormed off. She didn't look back, didn't care about the calls of her friends behind her. All she wanted was to get away—from Mike, from the mall, from everything that was tearing her apart.

Scarlett didn't stop running until she was far away from the mall, the cold night air biting at her skin as she finally allowed herself to slow down. The adrenaline that had been fueling her anger began to fade, leaving her feeling hollow and drained. Her vision blurred as tears welled up in her eyes, and before she could stop them, they began to fall, streaming down her face in hot, angry rivers.

She cried until she could cry no more, the weight of her emotions finally lifting as she let go of the pain, the anger, the hurt she had been holding in for so long. And when the tears finally stopped, she wiped her face with trembling hands, taking a deep, shuddering breath.

The night was quiet now, the only sound the distant hum of cars on the highway. Scarlett stood alone on the empty street, her body exhausted, her mind numb. She knew she couldn't go back—not now, not after everything that had happened. But she also knew she couldn't run forever.

With a heavy heart, Scarlett began the long walk home, her footsteps echoing in the stillness of the night. She didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but she knew one thing for certain—she was done pretending. Done lying to herself, to her friends, to everyone. Tomorrow, she would face whatever came her way, but tonight, she would let herself be vulnerable, let herself feel.

As she walked, Scarlett's thoughts turned to Dustin, who was coming back tomorrow. She didn't know how she would face him, how she would explain everything that had happened. But she knew she had to try. For Dustin, for herself. Because she couldn't keep running forever.

ASH SPEAKS!!

the fun has begun

soft scar is gone☹️(she will be back in a few chapters she cant hate mike for too long she gives in quickly)

spilting episode 1 into 2 chapters!!