chapter three:
❛ dumped ❜

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!
COMMENT AND VOTE

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Scarlett leaned back on the couch, shaking her head in disbelief at Mike's dramatics. She couldn't help but think that the whole situation was ridiculous. As much as she wanted to support Mike, his panicked overreactions were starting to grate on her nerves.

"She knows I'm lying! She knows I'm lying!" Mike's voice echoed through the room as he paced back and forth, his agitation evident in every frantic step. Lucas sat beside Scarlett on the couch, while Will was quietly setting up the D&D board nearby, occasionally glancing up at Mike with concern.

"Well, no shit, Wheeler. Us girls have a sixth sense," Scarlett snapped, rolling her eyes as she crossed her arms over her chest. Her patience with Mike was wearing thin, and she wasn't in the mood to coddle him.

Lucas looked over at Mike with a puzzled expression. "I don't understand. Why lie in the first place?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Mike stopped pacing long enough to look at Lucas, his face contorted with frustration. "Hopper! He threatened me," Mike stammered, as if that explained everything.

Scarlett smirked and shot back, "You deserve it."

Lucas gave Scarlett a sideways glance, silently telling her to dial it down a notch. He turned back to Mike, his tone more measured. "Did he say he'd kill you?" Lucas questioned, trying to get to the bottom of the situation.

"What? No," Mike replied, shaking his head.

Lucas threw his hands up in the air, exasperated. "So then, what's the big deal?"

"Yeah, honestly, you and El are so clingy," Scarlett added, her voice tinged with sarcasm. She wasn't going to sugarcoat her thoughts on the matter.

Mike shot them both an incredulous look. "The big deal is if I don't do what he says, then he'll stop me from seeing El! Like, permanently!" Mike exclaimed, his voice rising in panic.

Lucas put his head in his hands, feeling the frustration mount. "You don't understand, Lucas, Scar. He's crazy! He's lost his mind!" Mike continued, throwing his arms around in a dramatic gesture.

"Hey, guys, I'm almost set up here," Will informed them, trying to get their attention, but Lucas and Scarlett were too absorbed in Mike's theatrics to notice.

"I had no choice, Lucas! I really had no choice!" Mike cried out, pacing again.

Scarlett rolled her eyes, tired of hearing the same excuse. "You did have a choice, Wheeler! I told you that you had other plans!" she shot back, her voice laced with irritation.

Lucas nodded in agreement, his expression stern. "I just wish you'd consulted me, because the way you handled this, and took Scarlett's advice the wrong way, you're in deep shit," Lucas stated firmly, making it clear that Mike had messed up.

Mike groaned and dramatically flopped onto the couch beside Scarlett. Without missing a beat, Scarlett shoved him off the couch, sending him sprawling onto the floor. Lucas and Scarlett chuckled as Mike collided with the ground, his frustration evident.

"I'm not gonna lie, it's gonna be bad," Lucas said with a nod, his tone serious. Mike groaned again, throwing his hands in the air in defeat.

"But... you can fix this. It's just one little mistake," Lucas continued, standing up and looking down at Mike. "I've made hundreds, thousands. Max has dumped me five times! Scarlett was there every time!" Lucas exclaimed, his voice filled with a mix of exasperation and determination.

Mike stared up at Lucas, frustration and sadness in his eyes. "How?" he asked, genuinely wanting to know how Lucas managed to navigate these kinds of situations.

Lucas flashed a grin, his confidence returning. "He bribes Max with gifts," Scarlett explained, blowing a raspberry to mock Lucas's so-called strategy.

Lucas rolled his eyes but didn't deny it. "Come on!" he said, suddenly energized as he bolted up the stairs, motioning for Mike to follow.

Mike scrambled to his feet, shooting a glance at Scarlett before chasing after Lucas. Scarlett sighed and reluctantly followed them, knowing that she was about to be dragged into another one of Mike's convoluted schemes.

As they reached the top of the stairs, Scarlett caught up with Mike and Lucas, who had stopped outside Lucas's room. Lucas pushed the door open, revealing a stash of small, neatly wrapped gifts on his bed.

"This is what I do," Lucas said proudly, gesturing to the gifts. "Whenever Max gets mad, I give her something to show her I care. It's simple, but it works."

Mike's eyes widened in disbelief. "So, you're saying I should buy El gifts to make up for lying to her?"

Lucas shrugged. "It wouldn't hurt. But you need to be sincere, Mike. If you just throw gifts at her without actually apologizing, it's not going to work."

Scarlett leaned against the doorframe, watching the exchange with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Lucas is right, Wheeler. You can't just buy your way out of this one. You need to actually talk to El, tell her the truth, and then maybe, just maybe, a little gift won't hurt."

Mike nodded slowly, taking in their advice. "Okay, okay... I'll think of something. But I still need your help, Scar. I can't do this alone."

Scarlett sighed, realizing she was in this for the long haul. "Alright, Wheeler. But if this backfires, don't say I didn't warn you."

Mike nodded, grateful for their support. "Thanks, Scar. And Lucas... I owe you one."

Lucas grinned. "You owe me more than one, Mike. But we'll start with this."

With a plan in place, the three of them headed back downstairs, ready to figure out the next steps in Mike's latest crisis. As much as Scarlett wanted to be done with the drama, she couldn't deny that helping her friends—no matter how infuriating they could be—was just part of the deal.

As they wandered through the bustling mall, Mike's frustration was palpable. His brow furrowed in confusion, and he seemed entirely out of his element. The vibrant chatter of shoppers and the bright, inviting displays in the stores around them only added to his anxiety.

"I just... I don't understand what we're looking for," Mike admitted, his voice tinged with desperation. He glanced over at Lucas, hoping for some guidance.

Lucas, ever the pragmatist, shook his head and sighed. "Something pretty and shiny that says 'I'm sorry,'" he explained, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. His eyes scanned the nearby jewelry stores, looking for anything that might fit the bill.

Mike frowned, clearly not getting it. "What, just something that literally says I'm sorry?" he asked, genuinely confused. The idea of buying an apology gift was foreign to him, and he wasn't sure how it would fix the mess he'd made with El.

Scarlett, who had been quietly observing the exchange, couldn't take it anymore. With an exasperated groan, she threw her head into her hands, her fingers tugging at her hair in frustration. "No!" she and Lucas exclaimed in unison, their voices echoing through the corridor.

Lucas shot Mike a look that was equal parts pity and annoyance. "It doesn't have to literally say 'I'm sorry,' Mike. It just needs to show that you're thinking about her, that you care. Something she'll like."

"Something that makes her feel special," Scarlett added, finally lifting her head to look at Mike. Her tone was softer now, though still laced with a hint of irritation. "Girls like thoughtful gestures, not just words. You can't just say 'I'm sorry'—you have to show it."

Mike nodded slowly, trying to process their advice. He glanced over at the window display of a nearby store, filled with glittering necklaces and delicate bracelets. "So, like... jewelry?"

Lucas grinned and patted Mike on the back. "Now you're getting it. But it's gotta be something that means something, you know? Not just the first shiny thing you see."

Will, who had been mostly quiet during their conversation, chimed in with a thoughtful nod. "Something that reminds her of you two. Maybe something that connects to a memory you share?"

Scarlett snapped her fingers, her expression brightening as an idea formed. "Exactly, Will! Like, remember that time you guys went to the snowball together? Maybe something that reminds her of that night?"

Mike's eyes lit up as he remembered the dance, the way he and El had shyly held hands, the slow dance, the way she had smiled at him. "Yeah... yeah, she loved that night," he said, a small smile forming on his lips.

Lucas gestured toward a small boutique across the way. "Let's check that place out. It looks like they might have something good."

The group made their way over to the boutique, where delicate jewelry pieces sparkled under the soft lighting. Scarlett took the lead, her eyes scanning the displays with a discerning eye. Lucas and Will flanked Mike, offering moral support as he nervously peered at the various trinkets.

After a few minutes of browsing, Scarlett pointed to a silver necklace with a small, heart-shaped locket. "What about this? It's simple, but it's pretty, and she can put a picture inside. Something personal."

Mike hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yeah... I think she'd like that," he said, feeling a glimmer of hope.

Lucas clapped him on the shoulder, grinning. "See? Not so hard after all."

Mike smiled, grateful for his friends' help. "Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it."

Scarlett rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips. "Don't get all mushy on us now, Wheeler. Just remember—don't screw it up this time."

As Mike handed the necklace to the cashier, Scarlett leaned against the counter, arms crossed, watching him with a mix of curiosity and concern. The cashier, a middle-aged woman with glasses perched on the tip of her nose, scanned the necklace and tapped a few buttons on the register.

"That'll be $75," she said with a polite smile.

Mike's eyes widened, and he fumbled with his wallet, pulling out a crumpled wad of bills. He counted them quickly, his heart sinking as he realized he was short by a significant amount. He looked up at the cashier, then back at his friends, panic starting to creep into his expression.

"Uh, do you guys have any cash on you?" Mike asked, his voice shaky.

Scarlett sighed, shaking her head. "Mike, this is why you always check the price tag first. You can't just go buying stuff without knowing how much it costs."

Lucas patted his pockets and shrugged apologetically. "Sorry, man, I spent the last of my allowance on movie tickets. I'm broke."

Will opened his wallet and frowned at the empty slots. "I've got a few bucks, but it's not enough."

Mike's shoulders slumped in defeat as he looked back at the necklace, now lying tantalizingly close but just out of reach. "Great... just great," he muttered under his breath. "What am I supposed to do now?"

Scarlett tapped her fingers on the counter, thinking quickly. "Okay, let's not panic. There's gotta be something else in here that's cheaper but still meaningful."

As the group left the jewelry store, their frustration was palpable. Mike couldn't believe how expensive everything was, and the disappointment hung heavy in the air as they walked through the mall. Scarlett, who had been doing her best to keep Mike's spirits up, found herself growing more and more annoyed by their lack of success. The idea of finding something special for El was proving to be more difficult than they had imagined.

When they passed by another store that had jewelry in the window, Mike paused, eyeing a small gold teddy bear pendant on display. It was simple but cute, and Mike's face brightened at the sight of it. He hurried into the store, the others trailing behind him.

"Excuse me, sir," Mike said, approaching the cashier with the teddy bear in hand. "How much for this teddy bear, right here?"

The cashier, a middle-aged man with a balding head and a sleazy grin, looked the group up and down before leaning over the counter to take a closer look at the pendant. Scarlett, sensing something off about the guy, shot a wary glance at Lucas and Will, who seemed equally uneasy.

The cashier finally looked up, his smile widening. "That's a fine piece, young man," he said, his voice oozing with fake charm. "But it's going to cost you a pretty penny—$300."

Mike's grin faded instantly, his hopes dashed once again. "$300?" he repeated, disbelief in his voice. "That's way too expensive!"

The cashier shrugged, still grinning. "Quality costs money, kid. If you want something nice, you've gotta pay for it."

Scarlett rolled her eyes, already irritated by the guy's smug attitude. She gently nudged Mike. "Come on, Mike. Let's get out of here. We're not paying that much for a stupid teddy bear."

Mike sighed and nodded, turning to leave the store with his friends. As they headed toward the exit, Scarlett felt a sudden and uncomfortable sensation—a hand brushing against her lower back, inching downward in a way that made her skin crawl.

She whipped around, eyes narrowing as she realized the cashier had tried to grab her. Her blood boiled with anger, and before she could stop herself, she summoned a jolt of electricity from deep within her, sending it straight toward the man. The cashier barely had time to react before the shock hit him, and he stumbled back with a yelp, crashing into a display of necklaces behind the counter.

Scarlett smirked, satisfied, but then felt a warm trickle of blood start to drip from her nose. She wiped it away with the back of her hand, rolling her eyes at the inconvenience.

"Fucking creep just tried to grab my ass," Scarlett muttered, rejoining the boys outside the store.

Mike, Lucas, and Will stared at her in shock, their eyes wide and jaws dropped.

"What!?" they exclaimed in unison.

Scarlett nodded, her expression hard. "Yeah. But don't worry, I took care of it. I shocked him with electricity," she said, a hint of pride in her voice as she smirked.

Lucas's face twisted in anger. "Are you serious? That guy had it coming. I should go in there and teach him a lesson."

Will looked equally concerned, glancing back at the store with a frown. "Scar, are you okay? Your nose is bleeding."

Scarlett shrugged, wiping more blood away with her wrist. "I'm fine. It's just a side effect. It happens when I use my powers sometimes. But I should've shoved that teddy bear up his ass instead," she added with a chuckle.

Mike, who had been silent for a moment, clenched his fists. "You should've let me take care of him. That guy is lucky all you did was shock him."

Scarlett gave Mike a pat on the back, her smirk softening into a more genuine smile. "It's all good, Wheeler. I handled it. Let's just focus on finding something for El and forget about that creep."

Mike nodded, though he still looked angry. "Yeah, you're right. But seriously, Scar... if anything like that happens again, you tell us. We've got your back."

Scarlett gave him a grateful nod. "I know you do. Now, let's get out of here before I decide to go back in and really mess him up."

The group walked away from the store, the tension gradually easing as they put the incident behind them.

Scarlett had been so caught up in her thoughts that she didn't realize she had wandered ahead of the boys. When she finally turned around to check on them, she noticed they were all standing frozen, wide-eyed and awkward, staring at the entrance to a Victoria's Secret store. Scarlett couldn't help but smirk at the sight of their discomfort.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Scarlett strolled back over to them, crossing her arms as she leaned in slightly. "Wanna help me look for a bra, boys?" she asked with a teasing tone.

Mike, Lucas, and Will all shook their heads vigorously, clearly horrified by the idea. Scarlett chuckled, enjoying how flustered they were. "Come on, this store isn't gonna bite," she said, her smirk widening as she walked towards a display of bras near the entrance.

The boys remained rooted to the spot, not daring to take another step. They exchanged nervous glances, clearly unsure of how to handle the situation. Scarlett looked back at them, rolling her eyes playfully.

"Oh, for crying out loud," she muttered, walking back over to them. Before they could protest, she grabbed Mike and Lucas by the wrists and tugged them into the store, leaving Will no choice but to follow.

As soon as they crossed the threshold, the boys looked like they'd walked into a forbidden land. Their eyes darted around, trying to avoid making eye contact with any of the mannequins dressed in lingerie or the racks full of bras and panties. Scarlett, on the other hand, was enjoying every second of their discomfort.

"See? Not so bad, is it?" Scarlett teased as she walked confidently through the store, glancing at a few of the bras and lingerie sets on display. She picked up a lacy black bra and held it up with a grin. "What do you think, Wheeler? Is this my style?"

Mike turned bright red, his eyes darting away from the bra as if it were going to burn him. "Uh... I don't know, Scar. Maybe?" he stammered, clearly out of his depth.

Lucas, trying to play it cool, gave a nervous chuckle. "Yeah, um... maybe something with a little more... coverage?" he suggested, though he looked just as uncomfortable as Mike.

Scarlett laughed, shaking her head at them. "You guys are hopeless."

As she continued to browse the store, the boys hung back, trying to stay as inconspicuous as possible. But their attempts to avoid drawing attention only made them stick out more, especially when a woman walked out of the dressing room in a skimpy bikini. The boys' eyes widened in horror, and before Scarlett could say anything, they bolted for the exit.

"Holy crap!" Mike yelped as they made a beeline for the door, Lucas and Will right behind him.

Scarlett's eyes widened in surprise for a split second before she burst out laughing. She quickly dropped the bra back onto the rack and chased after them, her laughter echoing through the mall.

"Come on, you chickens! It's just a bikini!" Scarlett called out between laughs as she caught up to them outside the store.

The boys were already several feet away, clearly traumatized by their brief venture into Victoria's Secret. When Scarlett finally reached them, they were all out of breath, their faces still flushed with embarrassment.

"You guys are such babies," Scarlett teased, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "It's just a store, not a haunted house."

"That was way too close for comfort," Mike muttered, running a hand through his hair as if he'd just survived a life-threatening ordeal.

Lucas nodded in agreement, still catching his breath. "Yeah, I've had enough of shopping for today. Let's just... let's just go somewhere else."

Will, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, finally spoke up. "Can we just, like, go get something to eat or something? I need to forget this ever happened."

Scarlett, still chuckling from the boys' over-the-top reactions, saw an opportunity to keep the fun going. As they caught their breath and tried to regain their composure, she crossed her arms and gave them a playful look.

"Alright, fine, we'll skip the lingerie shopping," she said with a smirk. "But since you guys are terrible at picking out jewelry, how about we try a perfume store instead? El might appreciate a nice scent as a peace offering."

Mike, who was still recovering from the Victoria's Secret incident, looked at her with wide eyes. "Perfume? I don't know anything about perfume, Scar."

"Exactly," Scarlett said, raising an eyebrow. "Which is why you need me. Trust me, a good perfume can work wonders, especially when you're trying to say you're sorry."

Lucas and Will exchanged glances, clearly relieved that Scarlett wasn't dragging them into another uncomfortable store. Mike hesitated for a moment before sighing, realizing that Scarlett was right. He had no better ideas, and they were running out of time.

"Fine," Mike finally agreed, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. "But you're the expert here, Scar. I have no idea what El would like."

Scarlett grinned, feeling a sense of satisfaction at his surrender. "Don't worry, Wheeler. I've got this."

She led the boys toward a nearby perfume store, its elegant displays and fragrant scents greeting them as they walked in. Unlike their previous shopping experiences, the atmosphere here was much more relaxed, though Mike still looked slightly uneasy.

Scarlett, on the other hand, was in her element. She immediately began perusing the different bottles of perfume, occasionally picking one up to sniff and test on one of the sample cards provided by the store. The boys followed her lead, but with much less confidence.

"So, what do you think El would like?" Mike asked nervously, watching as Scarlett expertly tested another perfume.

Scarlett considered the question, thinking about El's personality. "She's sweet, but strong. She'll want something that's not too overwhelming but still makes a statement." She handed Mike one of the sample cards she'd just sprayed. "Try this one."

Mike hesitantly took the card and sniffed it, then looked at Scarlett with a puzzled expression. "It smells... nice?"

Scarlett rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help but smile at his cluelessness. "Nice is a start, but this isn't just about what smells good. It's about what fits her. You need to think about what makes her unique."

Lucas, who had been watching the exchange, suddenly chimed in. "What about something with a hint of vanilla? She's always liked those vanilla candles."

Scarlett nodded approvingly. "Good call, Sinclair. Vanilla is warm and comforting, but it can also be really elegant."

She walked over to another display and picked up a bottle of perfume with notes of vanilla and amber, spraying a little onto a new sample card. She handed it to Mike, who sniffed it cautiously.

Mike's eyes lit up slightly. "This... this actually smells really good. Do you think she'll like it?"

"I think it's perfect," Scarlett said confidently. "It's sweet, just like her, but it's got that little bit of depth that makes it special. Plus, it's not too expensive, so you won't have to sell your bike or anything."

Mike looked relieved, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Thanks, Scar. You really saved my ass here."

Scarlett smirked, giving him a playful nudge. "Don't thank me yet, Wheeler. You still have to give it to her and hope it smooths things over."

Will, who had been quietly observing the whole process, spoke up with a smile. "I think it'll work. El likes thoughtful gifts, and this is definitely thoughtful."

"Yeah, and you didn't have to lie this time," Lucas added, shooting Mike a pointed look.

Mike groaned, but he knew they were right. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. No more lies. I just hope this is enough to get back on her good side."

Scarlett grinned as she led them toward the checkout counter. "It'll be fine, Mike. Just be honest with her from now on. And if you ever need advice again, maybe start by not ignoring mine in the first place."

The boys laughed as Mike nodded in agreement, realizing how much trouble he could have avoided if he'd just listened to Scarlett in the first place. As they paid for the perfume and left the store, Scarlett glanced over at them, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

"See? Shopping isn't so bad when you actually listen to me," she teased, giving Mike a light punch on the arm.

"Yeah, yeah," Mike muttered, but there was a smile on his face. "You're the expert, Scar. I'll give you that."

As they made their way out of the mall, the group felt a sense of relief, knowing they'd finally found something that might help fix the mess Mike had created. And while Scarlett knew they still had a lot to learn, she couldn't help but feel proud of them for trying.

Scarlett finished tying the laces of her rollerblades, her fingers working quickly as her mind drifted. She was distracted by the faint sound of footsteps approaching from behind. When she looked up, she froze. Max and El were walking towards them, side by side. Scarlett blinked in shock, barely processing the sight before calling out, "Holy shit. Max?"

It was baffling—Max and El, together. Scarlett and Max, despite being sisters, hadn't exactly been on the best terms with El, she outright despised Scarlett and Max, and for reasons Scarlett had never fully understood. Scarlett finished with her rollerblades, stood up, and joined Mike, who looked just as confused as she felt. The sound of his bike hitting the pavement as he dropped it echoed around them. Scarlett clutched the brown bag holding the perfume tightly, feeling a strange tension building in the air.

"This is a nice surprise," Max said with a smirk, her tone casual, but Scarlett's attention was drawn to El, who was glaring at her with an intensity that made Scarlett's skin prickle. Scarlett tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at El and returning the glare with one of her own. The dislike between them was palpable, and Scarlett wasn't one to back down from it.

"What are you doing here?" Mike asked, his voice a mixture of confusion and alarm as he pointed at El.

"Shopping," El said firmly, her grip tightening around the ice cream cone she was holding, as if it were some kind of lifeline.

"This is her new style. What do you think?" Max asked, her voice laced with a hint of challenge, as if daring them to say something.

Mike's expression hardened as he looked at Max, his concern evident. "What's wrong with you? You know she's not allowed to be here."

Max's eyes flashed with irritation as she snapped back, "What is she, your little pet?"

El, not missing a beat, echoed Max's words with a sharp edge in her voice. "Yeah. Am I your pet?"

Scarlett couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all, but Mike was quick to deny the accusation. "What? No!" he exclaimed, clearly flustered.

But El wasn't finished. Her eyes bore into Mike's as she spoke, her voice trembling slightly with a mix of hurt and anger. "Then why do you treat me like garbage?"

"What?" Mike's confusion deepened, but El didn't give him a chance to recover.

"You said I had nothing to worry about—that you and Scarlett never kissed or anything. And you didn't want anything to do with her and you were just hanging out with Will and Lucas today," El stammered, her voice shaking as she confronted him.

Scarlett's heart skipped a beat, her breath catching in her throat. She turned to Mike, her eyes wide with shock and betrayal. "What the hell, Wheeler? You lied to me!" she yelled, her emotions flaring up as blue electricity sparked in her eyes, the energy crackling around her.

Mike's mouth opened and closed, but all he could manage was a stammered, "I—I—I don't know."

Scarlett stared at him, disbelief etched across her face. "I can't believe I thought I could be friends with you again," she said, her voice thick with disappointment. The bus rolled up to the curb, its brakes hissing as it came to a stop. El turned her back to Mike, pausing only for a moment before she looked back at him with a cold glare.

"I dump your ass," El declared, her words sharp and final, as Mike's jaw dropped in shock. She then glanced at Scarlett, taking a step forward as if to deliver the final blow. "Might be besties with Max now, but I don't like you."

Scarlett rolled her eyes, the electricity still sparking in them as she met El's gaze. "Feelings mutual," she said, her tone dismissive. El and Max locked arms and walked onto the bus without looking back.

Scarlett turned back to Mike, her anger boiling over as she flipped him off. "Fuck you, Wheeler! Don't ever speak to me again!" she shouted, her voice ringing out with raw emotion before she turned on her heels and stormed off.

"Scarlett, come back! Please!" Mike called after her, his voice desperate, but she didn't look back. She kept walking, her rollerblades gliding smoothly over the pavement as she left him behind.

Lucas, who had been standing nearby, stepped up and placed a hand on Mike's shoulder. "You just got dumped by your girlfriend and your crush," Lucas said, his voice heavy with the weight of the situation.

Mike turned to him, his expression one of confusion and pain. "What?"

Lucas sighed, giving Mike a look of sympathy mixed with exasperation. "Mike, you don't even like El anymore. You fell in love with Scarlett the moment you saw her."

Mike opened his mouth to deny it, shaking his head. "No, that's not true. I care about El."

But as the words left his mouth, the memories began to flood back. He remembered the lab, the dim light casting shadows on Scarlett's face as they shared that unexpected kiss. The way his heart had raced, the way he'd felt a pull towards her that he couldn't explain, even when he tried to push it aside. The truth was, he had been drawn to Scarlett from the very beginning, and it scared him.

His denial faltered as he looked at Lucas, realization dawning on him. "I... I didn't mean to. I didn't even realize..."

Lucas gave him a knowing look. "But you did. You've been trying to convince yourself that El is the one, but deep down, you know it's Scarlett."

Mike's shoulders slumped as he absorbed Lucas's words, the weight of his feelings settling heavily in his chest. He couldn't deny it any longer. He had been in love with Scarlett all along, but his confusion and fear had led him to hurt the people he cared about most.

And now, as he stood there watching Scarlett disappear into the distance, he realized that he might have lost her for good.

Mike stood there, stunned, as Lucas's words continued to sink in. The realization of what he'd lost was still settling in, but Lucas's next statement hit him like a punch to the gut.

"Mike," Lucas said, his tone firm but sympathetic, "you always ask why Scarlett's been so bitter towards you these last six months, but do you realize she liked you too?"

Mike's eyes widened in shock, his mind racing to piece together the fragments of his recent interactions with Scarlett. "What? No, she never—"

Lucas cut him off, "I don't even think she and Dustin are actually dating. It was probably just a cover to make you jealous or keep her options open. She's been hurt by you, and now, with everything that's happened, she's probably even more confused and angry."

Mike stared at Lucas, his heart pounding as he processed the implications. "She... she liked me?" he repeated, barely able to believe it. "Why didn't she say anything?"

Lucas sighed, frustration evident in his voice. "She was trying to protect herself, Mike. She knew you were with El, and she didn't want to get hurt more than she already had. But the way you've treated her, all the lies... it's pushed her away."

Mike's mind flashed back to the moments he'd shared with Scarlett, their conversations, their arguments, and that kiss in the lab. He remembered the way she had looked at him, the way she had felt different from anyone else. The realization hit him hard: he had been blind to her feelings, wrapped up in his own confusion and insecurities.

"God, what have I done?" Mike murmured, his voice heavy with regret. "I messed everything up."

Lucas placed a comforting hand on Mike's shoulder. "You can still try to fix things, but it's going to be tough. Scarlett's hurt, and it's going to take a lot more than just words to make things right. You need to show her that you really mean it."

Mike nodded, a determined look in his eyes as he faced Lucas. "You're right. I need to do something. I can't just let this be the end."

Lucas gave him a nod of encouragement, and together they watched as the bus pulled away, carrying El and Max out of sight. Mike's heart ached, but he knew that if he wanted to make things right with Scarlett, he had to confront his mistakes head-on.

ASH SPEAKS!

THINGS ARE GETTING JUICYYYYYY!!!