Chapter Text
Mike's POV:
I want to be him. He is just so cool, and I don’t even know how to describe it. The way he looks, his hair, his smile. Everywhere he goes, he just looks like he belongs there. Like he is supposed to be there.
Mike was sitting in science class as he starts drifting in and out of focus. They were learning something about Newton’s something law, but he couldn’t focus. He was trying to take notes but couldn’t write fast enough.
He looks over at his friends to see if they are getting any of it, but Lucas and Dustin look as lost and confused as he is. Will, however, looks calm and focused as he is neatly writing his notes without struggle.
Mike looks at Will then back and Dustin and Lucas and whispers, “How the hell is he getting of this?” They look back at him and shrug.
How is he so smart? He just sits there knows everything without trying. I would marry him so that I could be around his smartness all the time because then it might rub off on me. But that is weird so obviously not. But like hypothetically if that was a thing people did, I would also do that. That is a weird thing to think. Will is just such a great friend.
Mr. Clarke suddenly calls on Mike. “Michael?”
Mike looks up with confusion.
“Which of Newtons’ Law state that every action has an equal and opposite reaction?”
“Uhhh….,” Mike has no clue what is going on.
His friends start laughing. Will subtly moves his paper to the edge of his desk and Mike quickly glances down at his answer.
“Uhh… the third law?” Mike says hoping he saw Will’s paper correctly.
“That is correct.” Mr. Clarke continues to ramble on with his lecture.
Mike exhales with relief, “You are a true hero, you know that?”
Will chuckles softly, “I know.” He goes back to taking he notes.
That smile. How does he have such a perfect smile. I am so lucky to be his friend. I hope he doesn’t ever get a girlfriend because I want to hangout with him all the time. But any girl would be lucky to have him.
The bell rings and they all start packing up. “Have this packet done by next time and we will use it to review before the test.” The whole class groans.
“I am so going to fail that test,” Mike complains.
“Me too. Will, can you give me you notes?” Dustin asks as soon as they are out of ear shot of their teacher.
“Please Will?!” Lucas begs.
“No, but I can help you guys study before the movie tonight.”
“Thank you!!”
-
Lunch time is finally here, and Mike is so hungry. He forgot to eat breakfast again. Today’s lunch didn’t look to bad. Mac and cheese. He takes one bit of it and immediately spits it back out. Nope, he was wrong. It was so bad. He gets up and throws it away. He will just steal some of Dustin’s. His mom always packs him a lunch.
Will and Lucas sit on one side of the rectangular lunch table. Dustin and Mike across from them.
“You guys can come over to my house before the movie so we can copy—I mean study Will’s notes,” Mike chuckles. He reaches over and grabs Dustin’s chips while he is not looking.
“Sounds good, what time does the movie start?” asks Lucas.
“8:00, Steve said he can drive us.” replies Will. “What movie are we even seeing?”
“I don’t think anyone knows. Steve and Robin say it is a surprise. They said they saw it once but were on drugs, so they don’t remember much of it. So, who knows,” says Dustin. “I don’t think they even remember the name of the movie. They just explained the plot to some random employee on the phone and they said there was a showing at 8:00.”
“Those two are so weird. I don’t ever understand how they end up in those situations—like all the time.” Will says very confused.
“I don’t even question it giving all that we have been through,” Dustin replies.
“Yah, that’s fair.”
“What are you four losers up too tonight? Are Robin and Steve trying to get you to go to that weird movie tonight too?” Max asks as she and El join them at the table. El sits on the other side of Mike and Max next to Lucas.
“Yah, we are going to study for Mr. Clarke’s test at Mike’s beforehand and Steve said he can drive,” says Will.
“Ok, whatever, I guess I will join you weirdos,” Max says sarcastically.
“I will as well. I don’t have the class though.”
El missed a lot of early schooling while trapped in the laboratory. So, the guidance counselor thought it was best if she took just the absolute basics like math and English class to help catch her up. She also had some tutoring which has helped improve her vocabulary a lot. She did not mind because she was with her friends for most of the time.
“That’s ok El,” Mike says looking up at her.
“Anyone want the rest of my lunch? I am not that hungry,” Will asks while holding up half a peanut butter jelly sandwich and fruit snack.
“Yes!” Mike reaches over and takes it from his hands.
His hands. They look soft. That is cool, I guess.
Mike had zoned out a second and freezes as he was grabbing the food.
“You good?” asks Will.
Mike shakes his head back into focus.
“Yah, I am fine.”
He quickly grabs the food and sets it down without making eye contact and just starts eating it.
“Thanks,” he says while looking down.
“No problem,” Will says slowly, slightly confused.
El looks at Mike and shifts awkwardly to sit slightly closer as a comforting gesture in case something was wrong. Mike does not move and just eats the sandwich.
“Anyways,” Max says filling the weird silence. “Did you hear that Nancy and Jonathon broke up?”
Will looks to Max, “That is why Jonathon was acting weird at breakfast this morning. I could tell something was off, but he didn’t say anything.”
“I am not surprised. They didn’t seem right for each other anyway. Neither of them seen very sad so I think they thought the same thing. Do you think that her and Steve will get back together?”
Lucas chimes in, “No way, I am pretty sure he likes Robin.”
“Didn’t Robin say they were just friends,” Max says.
“Yep, ‘Platonic with a capital P’ is what they both keep saying.” Dustin says.
Mike is in no way paying attention to their conversation. He is very fascinated in his sandwich and does not want to look up. He does not know why though. Everything is normal. Nothing is wrong.
The bell rings.
Oh, thank God.