Chapter Text
7. Coming-Out Party
Saturday, April 12th,1986,
at Hopper's cabin…
(It's early evening. Inside the cabin, the living room is crowded with people and party decorations. Will and Mike are standing on the coffee table like it's a stage, getting ready to welcome the guests and make their big announcements.)
WILL (shuffling through some papers): Do you know what you're gonna say?
MIKE: Mm-hm. I'm ready.
WILL: But you didn't write anything down...
MIKE: Don't worry, I have it alllll memorized.
(Grinning, Mike taps his temple. This does nothing to bolster Will's confidence.)
WILL: I'm nervous. Are you nervous? Was this a bad idea? We could still send everyone home.
MIKE: No way. You wanted a celebration, so we are having the biggest, baddest celebration this, um… (gestures around him) cabin has ever seen. It'll be good.
WILL (uncertain): Alright…
MIKE: Alright. It's go time... (clapping Will on the shoulder) You're up, Princess Peach.
(He raises his eyebrows and flashes Will a flirty smile. Will rolls his eyes.)
WILL (to the crowd): Um… hiiii. (No response. He tries again, louder this time.) Hi! Can we, um... have everyone's attention please?
(Still nothing. Irritated, Mike wedges two fingers between his lips and whistles shrilly.)
MIKE (yelling): Yo, people! Over here! (whispering to Will) My boyfriend is trying to talk.
(Chuckling, Will bumps Mike's arm with his shoulder. The crowd of about twenty people settles down to listen. Standing together, Nancy and Jonathan exchange a questioning look, wondering if this “big announcement” is what they think it might be.)
WILL: H-hi. Yes, thank you. We... are... delighted you were all able to join us on this festive occasion you... know nothing about. So, why are we here…?
ERICA (loudly): Don't you know?
MRS. SINCLAIR: Erica.
STEVE (laughing): Yeah, we were kinda hoping you guys could tell us.
NANCY (scolding): Shh. Let them talk.
MIKE: Well, see... we've had so little to celebrate in Hawkins lately, we decided to share what we think is some pretty fantastic news...
WILL: And we're hoping you... will all agree. (With a nervous smile, he takes a deep breath and unfolds his notes.) Okay. Here goes…
(clearing his throat) When I was little, my dad tried to teach me what it means to be a real man – playing sports, winning fights, getting girls. Commanding power and respect.
But... I think he was way off.
To me, being a man is more about how you treat other people, not how other people see you. There are certain people in my life who did teach me how to be a man: my mom, my brother… and this guy right here (nudging Mike with his elbow). They taught me that real men take care of the people who matter to them, making sure they always feel safe, they always feel accepted, and they always feel loved, no matter how strange or different they might be. Growing up, we weren't rich, powerful, or even well-respected, but I always had all I needed to be the best me I could be. I had a mother who gave everything to keep me safe and happy. I had a friend who told me, at a time when I felt worthless, that I was... the best person he knew. (Will looks at Mike, who starts tearing up.) I never forgot that. It got me through some dark times, and gave me the confidence to always be myself, even when the whole world, it seemed, was telling me that who I am is not okay... My father was right about one thing:
I... am gay.
(He swallows.) But he was so wrong about everything else – about what that means and about what kind of person it makes me. I am proud of the man that I've become. I'm kind, compassionate, generous, smart... honest, creative... and, as I recently discovered, more brave than I ever imagined. And I owe all of that to the people who taught me... what it truly means to love. Thank you.
(The crowd cheers and applauds. Joyce beams at her son, Lucas and Dustin smile and give thumbs up. Mike looks at Will with enormous admiration, blinking back tears.)
MIKE (to Will): That was awesome. You made me cry, damn it.
WILL (smiling affectionately): Good thing real men are allowed to cry.
MIKE (to the crowd): Okay, my turn. I know we're all eager to get to the partying, so I'll keep this short and sweet. (softly to Will) Like you.
(Mike turns, puts one hand on Will's cheek and the other behind Will's head, and gives him a long, slow, passionate kiss in front of everyone. Surprised, Will tenses up momentarily before relaxing into it and happily kissing Mike back. Murmurs spread through the crowd as they process what they're seeing. El looks pleased but a little sad, Lucas and Dustin look stunned. Steve and Robin look impressed. Nancy and Jonathan look ecstatic. Argyle looks stoned.)
NANCY (jumping up and down, clapping): YES! THAT'S MY BROTHER!!! Woohoo! (quietly to herself and Jonathan) He did it! Way to go, Mike.
JONATHAN (whistles and cheers): YEAH!
(Steve and Robin pump their fists and cheer. Everyone starts applauding.)
ERICA: GET A ROOM!
MRS. SINCLAIR: Erica!
EL (mostly to herself): Bitchin'.
LUCAS (to El): Did you know about this?
EL: Yes. Mike and I broke up last week. He realized some things about himself that made our relationship… not possible.
DUSTIN: Yeah, I can see why. Wow!
LUCAS (bewildered): What the hell…?
EL: It was a surprise to me too. But it actually explains a lot.
(cheering, whistles and applause continue)
ERICA: SERIOUSLY! THERE ARE CHILDREN PRESENT.
(Mike pulls away from Will, mouths "I love you", and takes a theatrical bow with a flourish. The crowd goes wild.)
MIKE (to Will): Come on, take your bow.
(Will does a little curtsy.)
WILL (to Mike, smirking): Was that the "speech" you memorized?
MIKE (grinning widely): Mm-hm.
WILL (nodding): I liked it.
MIKE: Yours was better.
WILL: I don't knowww… Yours raised some excellent points.
(Mike laughs, then turns back to the crowd.)
MIKE (dramatically): We hereby present to you… Team Byler!
WILL: It's a combination of Byers and Wheeler, in case that wasn't clear.
MIKE (quietly to Will): It was clear. (loudly to the crowd) Alright, let's get this party started!
(Mike signals Hopper to start the music. Kool & the Gang's 'Celebration' plays. The boys jump down off the coffee table as people begin to dance.)
"Celebrate good times, come on!
Let's celebrate.
There's a party going on right here,
A celebration to last throughout the year …"
(Joyce comes over and hugs Will and Mike.)
JOYCE: Oh boys, I'm so proud of you! Will, what you said was just beautiful.
WILL: I meant every word, Mom. I owe you so much.
JOYCE: Just be happy, sweetheart. That's all I could ever want. And yoooouuu… (she turns to Mike and pats his cheek) Am I to understand you'd like to date my son?
(Mike's eyes get wide with apprehension.)
HOPPER (to Joyce): I'll get the speech for you.
JOYCE: No… no, I think it's great!
HOPPER, MIKE and WILL: Y-you do?
JOYCE: Of course I do. You two have been best friends for so long, I've seen how much you care for each other. There is no one I would trust more with my boy's heart.
MIKE: Aw, thanks, Mrs. Byers. That really means a lot.
HOPPER (patting Mike on the shoulder): And I can't deny I'm relieved you're now someone else's problem. (He ruffles Will's hair.) Best of luck to ya.
(From across the room, Mike spots his mom waving at him. She and Holly are smiling, but his dad, as usual, is closed off, disconnected. Whatever Joyce and Hopper are saying fades into the background as a younger Will's words ring in Mike's ears, trembling and tear-stained – words that have haunted him since the day he first heard them. Words that made him believe his love was too dangerous. Too unacceptable.
“He tells me all the time he'd rather have a dead kid than a f *g for a son.”
Mike’s mouth goes dry, his skin pale and clammy. His dad wouldn't feel that way, would he? They've never really been close, and he may not understand, he may not approve, but he wouldn't… wish Mike were dead – would he? Mike feels a sick, hollow pinching in his stomach. What made him think this was okay? Did he really believe he was allowed to be happy – that people would just magically accept this absurd pairing simply because Mike wanted it? It's beyond delusional. Boys don't love other boys. It's not normal. It's not decent. It's not–
But then, El's voice cuts in, saying: “I like boys. Why is it any different if you like boys?” like it's the most natural thing in the world. Then Nancy's voice: “... you have a chance at something really great here, Mike. You're willing to throw it away because of what some bigots and assholes told you to think?” And Nancy's voice again: “Don't give them that much power.” And El: “I think it would be perfect.” And then Will's sweet voice, saying, “There is nothing – absolutely nothing – that could ever make me stop loving you,” and just like that, Mike's spiraling thoughts are stilled. He looks at Will with tears in his eyes, overwhelmingly grateful for everything that has brought them to this point. Confused, Will rubs Mike's arm, eyeing him with concern.)
WILL (softly): Hey. You okay…?
MIKE (emotional): Yeah. (Will's eyes sparkle like sunlight on water and Mike's whole body relaxes, all the sawtoothed tension smoothed away. He has Will. Whatever else happens is worth it, to have Will.) Yeah, I am. (He holds Will's hand and they smile at each other, like it's the most natural thing in the world.) I'm fantastic.
JOYCE: Now, you boys know you can come talk to us about anything, right? Any questions you might have, concerns that come up?
WILL: Thanks, Mom. We will.
HOPPER: Yup, you can go to Joyce with all that stuff.
JOYCE (exasperated): Hopper!
HOPPER: What? They're not my kids. I'm gonna go check on El. (He starts to walk away, then turns back.) But I do have one piece of advice… When you guys are out in public, try to keep it under wraps, okay? I know everyone here is happy for you, but there are some people in this town who... are not quite so enlightened, if you know what I mean. I'd hate to see you guys get hurt. Understood?
(The boys both nod in agreement. They know all too well what he means.)
JOYCE: Aw, Hop – you do care.
HOPPER: Of course I do. I've grown kinda attached to these little pains in my ass.
(Joyce gives Hopper a kiss before he walks over to where El is standing. Mike gives Will a kiss too, just because he can.)
HOPPER (putting an arm around El): How're you doing with all this, kid? You okay?
(El twists her lips, contemplating the question.)
EL (ambiguous): It is for the best.
HOPPER: That doesn't make it not hurt though. (shrugging) Hey, it's his loss. Whaddya say to a daddy/daughter Eggo Extravaganza tomorrow for breakfast? Does that sound good?
EL (hugging his arm): That sounds perfect.
HOPPER: Do you wanna help me with the music? You can pick the next song.
(El nods and they head over to the record player together, El still holding Hopper's arm. Meanwhile, Mike's parents come over to talk to Mike and Will. Joyce leaves them to go mingle with the other guests.)
KAREN: Hi, boys.
MIKE: Hey, Mom. Uh… D-Dad.
(Still unsure how they'll respond, Mike stands there, tense and cringing, bracing himself for the worst. Will stays slightly behind him, one hand supportively on Mike's back.)
TED: Michael, do you remember that sex talk we had?
MIKE (confused): Y-you mean that time you said, (imitating his dad) "Wear a condom, Son."...?
TED: That's the one. (nodding for a few beats) Still applies.
(He claps Mike on the shoulder and walks away. Will tries not to crack up.)
KAREN (following her husband): We're so proud of you, honey!
(Ted and Karen go dance with Holly. For a moment, Mike stares at Will, moderately horrified, then they both burst out laughing.)
WILL: Oh, my god!
MIKE: That actually went better than I expected.
(Still in hysterics, the boys make their way over to Lucas and Dustin. They stop laughing suddenly when they notice Lucas does not look pleased.)
MIKE (apprehensive): Hey, guys... How's it... going?
LUCAS (strained): Fine.
DUSTIN (nodding): Cool.
(Awkward silence.)
LUCAS: Well, this was quite the shocker, wasn't it?
DUSTIN: Not the part about Will, but… (Will looks at him indignantly.) What? Everyone already knew, dude.
WILL: Th-they did?
MIKE: I didn't know...
DUSTIN: Yeah, but you're clueless.
LUCAS (to Mike): Seriously? You didn't know? How is that possible? (splaying a hand towards Will) It's so obvious.
WILL: Hey!
LUCAS: And aren't you supposed to have, like, gaydar or something now?
MIKE (dryly): Well, I guess mine is defective. I dunno. I haven't received the handbook yet.
WILL (semi-joking): Wait, there's a handbook? Because that would be super helpful.
(Will grins awkwardly, followed by another uncomfortable silence as they all glance at each other, not knowing what to say.)
LUCAS: Soooo... have you guys had sex yet?
WILL (shocked): No!
MIKE: Personal. Jeez!
LUCAS: I just can't imagine the two of you hooking up, is all.
WILL: Um...
MIKE: Well, good. We don't want you to imagine it.
DUSTIN (huge grin, nodding): I can imagine it.
MIKE (mortified): Please stop.
DUSTIN: Yeah, sorry, dude – that image is not going away.
LUCAS (bitingly): Hey, I'm curious, all those years in Mike's basement, were you guys, like... fantasizing about each other?
MIKE (sarcastically to Will): Yeah, this is going really well.
WILL (to Lucas and Dustin, pointing): We're… um… gonna go stand over there now.
(He grabs Mike's arm and leads him away.)
DUSTIN (calling after them): Congratulations!
LUCAS (to Dustin): How are you so okay with this?
DUSTIN: I dunno. They look happy. It's sweet.
LUCAS: It's weird.
DUSTIN: You'll get used to it. They're still them, right?
(Lucas looks doubtful.)
WILL (to Mike, as they're walking away): Wow! What the hell, Lucas?! What was that?
MIKE: No clue.
WILL: He was like, openly hostile. What did we do that was so bad?
MIKE (bitterly): Nothing. He's just an asshole.
WILL: Not usually… (Brow furrowed, Will sighs, trying to come up with a reasonable explanation.) I dunno, maybe he's jealous. You guys were pretty close when you both had girlfriends. Maybe he's... afraid of losing that.
MIKE: So he acts like a total douchebag? 'Cause that'll make me wanna hang out with him.
WILL: Yeah, I... I dunno. I never expected this from him – your parents or Hop maybe, but... (shaking his head) one of our closest friends...? I don't get it.
MIKE (rolling his eyes): Whatever. It's not my job to make sure he's okay.
WILL (joking to ease the tension): Nope. Your job is to make sure I'm okay.
(Mike grins, overjoyed to have this job. He touches Will's face, all annoyance brushed aside.)
MIKE (tenderly): And are you...? Okay?
(With his arms around Mike's hips, Will gets lost in his eyes. Slowly, Mike leans in and gives him a firm yet gentle kiss that makes Will's heart flutter and his knees buckle a little.)
WILL (smiling against Mike's lips): Mmm. Never better.
MIKE (whispering softly): You know… I think I might love you.
WILL: Yeah…? Cool. (Another kiss.) I think I might like that.
(As they're standing there smiling at each other, Nancy comes running over and hugs them enthusiastically, startling the crap out of them. Jonathan trails behind, less eager to intrude.)
NANCY: Oh, my god! We are so thrilled for you two!
WILL: Y-yeah, we could tell.
MIKE (grimacing): Maybe a little too thrilled.
NANCY: What – I was excited! It's called being supportive...? (She takes both of Mike's hands in hers, squeezing and shaking them.) You did it, Mike! I knew you could do it. You must be so happy. Are you just... bursting with joy right now?
MIKE (mildly amazed): Actually... yeah.
(Puzzled, Will scrunches his face until it dawns on him what Nancy meant in the woods.)
WILL: Oh! "My brother picked the right guy." (lightly smacking her arm) You knew about this!
NANCY (grinning, pleased with herself): Guil-ty. Who do you think helped him sort through all those muddled thoughts in there?
(Reaching up, she taps Mike on the temple. Mike starts to object, then realizes, to his great dismay, that she is absolutely right – he probably wouldn't be with Will right now if it weren't for her. He probably wouldn't even be alive. Choking back his pride, he wraps his arms around her and swallows her in a big, lanky hug. Nancy looks completely flabbergasted. Her surprise only grows when Will latches on too.)
MIKE: Thanks, sis. For just… everything.
WILL: Yeah, thank you. Really.
NANCY (tearing up): Of, of course. I'm… glad I could help.
(Peeking out, Nancy meets Jonathan's eyes, the astonishment plain on her face. She mouths, “They're hugging me!” and Jonathan laughs, congratulating her with a thumbs up.)
JONATHAN (approaching them awkwardly): So... Can anyone get in on this?
(Chuckling, Will pulls him into the hug.)
WILL: You don't have to ask…
JONATHAN: Hey, just checking... (smiling at Will) I'm really happy for you, bro.
WILL (smiling back): Thanks. Me too.
(From out of nowhere, Argyle joins their conglomerate, squeezing in beside Jonathan.)
ARGYLE: Aw, group hug, man! Sweet.
(After a few stilted seconds, they all let go. Argyle congratulates the happy couple with a pat on the back.)
ARGYLE: Yours is a righteous love, my muchachos. (to Mike, frowning) Say, what about your superhero girlfriend?
MIKE: We – um… broke up.
ARGYLE (nodding): 'Cause you're into dudes.
MIKE (uncomfortable): Y… yeah?
ARGYLE: Well, that would explain your intimacy issues and hyper-obsessive insecurity, man. 'Cause, like, you were worried she'd see through your facade and leave you, and then you'd have to confront these forbidden feelings you've been burying your whole life like a body in the desert. That's heavy shit, man. (Mike and Will stare at him, bewildered.) Aaaand – it explains why you (He nods at Will.) were crying in the back of the pizza van – 'cause you thought your true love's heart belonged to another.
MIKE (turning to Will, staggered): Y-you were? What…? I, I was right beside you the entire time. How did I miss that?! (Will shrugs.) Shit. Maybe I am clueless.
WILL (smiling): I didn't say it.
JONATHAN (to Mike): Yeah, I dunno how you missed that…
WILL: You saw it?
JONATHAN (nodding): I saw a lot of things on that trip.
WILL: Did you… know? About my… (in almost a whisper) feelings?
JONATHAN: Oh, those I've known about for years... I mean, you guys used to kiss in our shed, for crying out loud. It wasn't hard to figure out.
(Will and Mike's eyes grow huge. They glance at each other, stunned.)
NANCY (chuckling): They did? You never told me that.
JONATHAN (shrugging): It wasn't my secret to tell.
MIKE: Y-you…
WILL: Uh…
JONATHAN: Hey, it's cool. I'm glad I knew. Someone had to run interference to keep Dad from catching you...
WILL: Oh. Wow. Well... (shaking his head, overwhelmingly grateful) Thanks.
JONATHAN: Yeah, no problem. (putting his arm around Will) I kinda had a feeling it would work out for you two. You know how sometimes you see something and it just looks… right? That's you and Mike. You've always just... fit each other, you know? Like you were made that way – to be together.
WILL (welling up): Aw.
JONATHAN (turning to Mike): But if you ever hurt him…? Well. Nancy is very skilled with a shotgun.
(Mike glares at him, indignant.)
MIKE: Hey! She's my sister.
NANCY: Yeah, no. I'd be on Will's side for sure. (She pinches Will's cheek.) Look at that sweet face.
WILL (blushing): Nancy…
NANCY: Oh, come on. You're practically my brother-in-law.
WILL: Um… (quietly, to Jonathan) which one of us is getting married…?
JONATHAN: No idea, man.
NANCY: So, wait – are we Team Byler too then? (indicating herself and Jonathan) Same last names...
MIKE (annoyed): No, that's ours. Get your own thing.
JONATHAN: We could be Team Jancy…?
NANCY (making a face): Jancy?
WILL (smirking): It's better than Nonathan.
(Mike snickers. Nancy looks unimpressed. At this point, Steve and Robin, who are dancing nearby, come over to pay their respects.)
STEVE (awkwardly): Way to go, dudes! Good job on the – uh… coming out. (turns to Robin) I dunno what to say…
ROBIN (patting his arm): You tried. (to Will and Mike, gushing) That was so brave, you guys. Seriously. It took a lot of guts. I mean, I still haven't told my family yet.
NANCY (with dawning realization): Wait – what?
ROBIN: Orrrr any of my friends. (gestures at Nancy, with a cringy grin) Except Steve, but that's 'cause he was hitting on me.
STEVE: Most surprising rejection ever.
NANCY (to Robin): So, you're a...?
ROBIN: Pretty much, yeah.
NANCY (to Steve): And that's why you guys aren't...
STEVE: Pretty much, yeah.
(They all start talking at once. 'The Search is Over' by Survivor begins to play and Mike's eyes light up.)
MIKE (to Will): Ooh, I love this song. Dance with me?
(Mike asks with such a sweet casual ease that tears spring to Will's eyes.)
WILL (beaming): Sure.
(Mike takes Will's hand and leads him to the center of the room, where they sink into each other's arms, swaying to the beat.)
WILL (teasing): So, you're "into dudes," are you?
MIKE (laughing): I'm into one dude. I don't know much beyond that.
WILL: That's all I need to know.
(As they continue slow dancing, Mike sighs with contentment and Will's heart fills with a glowing warmth.)
MIKE: Mmm… This is nice.
WILL: In some states, this is illegal.
MIKE: Wow, we're such hardened criminals.
WILL (snickering): It's disgraceful, really.
(While they dance, the rest of the world melts away. It's only them in the dusty, rustic cabin, music swirling around them like a magic spell. Mike hums a little, then starts singing along.)
MIKE (softly): "…You followed me through changes, and patiently you'd wait, 'til I came to my senses through some miracle of faaaaaaaate."
(Hearing him sing, Will gets an overwhelming urge to kiss Mike, who enjoys it at first, but then stops him abruptly.)
MIKE: Hey, are you just trying to shut me up? 'Cause El didn't like my singing either. I might have to start taking it personally.
WILL (caressing Mike's face): I love your singing. You can sing as much as you want.
MIKE: Yeah? You might regret saying that.
WILL: Not possible.
MIKE (smiling adoringly): Have I mentioned that I love you?
WILL (also smiling): I think the subject may have come up once or twice, yeah.
(Mike resumes their kiss, then breaks off to start singing again, this time more dramatically, with a heavy metal rock vibe.)
MIKE: "…Then good luck, it finally struck like lightning from the bluue. E-ve-ry highway's leading me back to youuuuuu."
(Mike spins them in a circle, both of them laughing and giddy. By the record player, Will sees El smiling in their direction and realizes she picked this song specifically for them. He gives her a tiny wave and mouths the words "thank you". She nods back. Will holds on tighter, thinking he might be in heaven. Compared to steamy make-out sessions, this seems like such a small thing, but dancing with Mike is something Will thought he would never get to do. He savors every second of it. Meanwhile, just off to the side, Dustin and Lucas are watching them intently.)
DUSTIN: I don't get your problem with it, dude. Just look at them. Have you ever seen either of them this happy before?
LUCAS: No, I guess not.
DUSTIN: How can that be bad?
LUCAS: I dunno. It just seems so out of left field.
DUSTIN: Imagine how they feel. Mike had a girlfriend, what – like, a week ago? That's a massive change.
LUCAS: Yeah, so... what was that, then? A lie?
DUSTIN (shrugs): I dunno. An attempt at conforming to societal norms? A deep dive into denial? A mask? A prison? Take your pick.
LUCAS (confused but sympathetic): Jeez.
DUSTIN: And hey, it wasn't entirely out of left field. I mean, they've always had that special kind of bond, separate from everyone else.
LUCAS: That's true…
DUSTIN: Plus, Mike did say Will was cute, remember? Wasn't it you who warned El she had competition?
LUCAS: Yeah, I was joking. I didn't think he meant it. I thought it was just a slip.
DUSTIN: A Freudian slip, apparently.
(Lucas's eyes track Mike and Will for a few seconds – swaying, spinning, smiling, laughing – as the music continues.)
"Then I touched your haaand, I could hear you whisper, the search is over, love was right before my eyes."
LUCAS:They do look really happy.
DUSTIN: That's what I'm saying.
(Will and Mike finish dancing and head back towards the others, Mike with his arm around Will's shoulders.)
MIKE: Are you having fun, baby?
WILL (blushing, surprised): …“B-baby”...?
MIKE: Oh. (flustered) S-sorry, no. I, I didn't mean… I, um… (He swallows.) Shit. Uh…
WILL: No, it's okay… (shrugging) I like it.
MIKE: But, you hate being called that.
WILL (smiling affectionately): I like it when you say it… And yeah – I am having fun.
(They grin at each other as they reach the spot where Argyle is standing, watching the others on the dance floor. From across the room, El waves at Will timidly and gestures him over.)
WILL (whispering to Mike): I'll be back in a bit, okay? I wanna check on El.
MIKE: Oh. Okay… yeah.
(Mike nods. As Will makes his way around the swarm of dancers, he can vaguely hear Mike and Argyle talking.)
MIKE: So… how often did he cry in the van?
ARGYLE: Oh, just the once, man – right after he professed his love for you by pretending he was talking about your girlfriend instead of himself.
MIKE: I'm sorry… what?
(Nervously, Will sits on the floor beside El, who is operating the record player while Hopper dances with Joyce.)
EL: Hi.
WILL (hesitant): H-heyyy…
EL: Do you want to pick some songs? Mrs. Wheeler brought a bunch of records. And these ones are Hop's.
(She shows Will the assortment of music. He flips through the albums, scanning their titles and track listings.)
WILL: Cool. Yeah.
(There's a brief silence as Will looks through the records.)
EL: I liked your speech... It was sweet.
WILL: Thanks.
EL: You never talk about your dad.
WILL (shaking his head): Some things are best left in the past, you know?
EL: Yes. I know. (She pauses.) Your dad would not be… okay with you dating a boy, would he?
(Will stops and looks at her, pursing his lips.)
WILL: No. (rolling his eyes) Big no. I don't plan on ever telling him. Or talking to him at all, actually. I'm not even sure if he knows I'm alive. No one in my family's heard from him since... right after my funeral.
EL: Best left in the past.
WILL: Yup. (He makes a little popping sound on the “p”.)
EL: It's his loss. He would be lucky to know you.
WILL (a little sadly): He's... never wanted to know me.
EL: I am glad you have Mike. He thinks knowing you is the best thing that ever happened to him.
(Will gives her a small grateful smile.)
WILL: Yeah? What did he say to you, when you guys broke up?
EL: He didn't have to say anything. I overheard him talking to Nancy so... I already knew – about his feelings for you. Which was good. If he had tried to explain it to me himself, I don't know if I would have been as willing to listen.
WILL (smirking): Well, you know he would have totally messed it up.
EL (laughing): Totally.
(Will pulls out Queen's Greatest Hits album and points to a song.)
WILL: This one. Really, anything from this album, but this one in particular.
EL (reading the song title): "Crazy Little Thing Called Love"?
WILL: Uh-huh. Mike and I used to say we'd go crazy together. I guess now we are.
EL (nodding, remembering the saying): Love makes you crazy.
WILL: Yeah.
(Will looks at her with sympathy. El looks at him with concern.)
EL: Have you… been avoiding me?
WILL: Not intentionally, but… (wincing with regret) maybe.
EL: You don't have to, you know.
WILL: I know. I just… (He holds El's hand in his, sighing, no idea what he can possibly say to make up for what he's done. But he has to try.) I hate that this hurts you, El. I really hate it and I am so, so sorry.
EL (confused): Why are you sorry?
WILL: I basically stole your boyfriend. To some people, that's, like... motive for murder.
EL (shrugging): He was... never really mine.
WILL: It sure seemed like he was...
EL: Do you know what Mike said the first time he saw me? (She looks at Will pointedly. He shakes his head, not the faintest inkling.) He said, "That's not Will." And that is who I have been to him all along – not Will. A poor substitute. One with cool powers and a… kick-ass buzz cut, but… not the same.
WILL: Really?
EL (nodding): Really.
WILL: What about his life beginning the day he found you in the woods?
EL: You mean, the day his best friend and favorite person in the whole world went missing? No way. The only thing he cared about that whole week was finding you. He was just saying what he thought I wanted to hear so I would keep fighting. He was trying to save me. He did not mean any of it.
WILL: He must have meant some of it…
EL (shaking her head): He has never once told me he loved me to my face, when I was conscious and looking at him. Because he knew it would be a lie. But I've seen him say it to you at least three times just tonight.
WILL: Oh. Wow.
EL: He loves you. So much. You did not steal him from me, Will – he was already yours.
(Will looks at her, conflicted, wanting to be let off the hook so easily but not sure he deserves it. Holding the Queen album, El stands up to play the song Will chose. She turns her back to him as she switches the records. Will stands up behind her.)
WILL: Well, I'm still sorry you got hurt.
EL (shrugging): I'm not. I have my dad back. And I have a mom now... (turning towards him, smiling affectionately) and two bratty brothers. I have never had so many people to love.
(Delicately, El places the needle arm and starts the record player.)
WILL: So, you and I are – okay? Still friends?
(El looks him in the eye and shakes her head. Will's heart sinks.)
EL: We are better than friends... We are family.
(Tears in his eyes, Will hugs her tight, so relieved. The music starts, but as the lyrics ring out, Will realizes it's a different song from the one he chose.)
“Ooh, you make me live.
Whatever this world can give to me,
It's you, you're all I see…”
EL (noting Will's confusion): Is this... not the right song?
WILL: No, but it's okay.
EL: I can change it…
(As she starts to turn, Will touches her arm to stop her.)
WILL: No. (shaking his head, smiling) No, this one is actually… kinda perfect.
“I've been with you such a long time,
You're my sunshine and I want you to know
That my feelings are true,
I really love you.
Oh, you're my best friend.”
(Across the room at the food table, Mike is getting a bowl of chips. He hears the music and looks over at Will, grinning adoringly, amazed at how the lyrics describe his feelings so perfectly, Mike could have written them himself. He wants to go tell Will, but just then, Lucas approaches to apologize. Mike's cheerful mood instantly sours.)
LUCAS (humbly): Hey, man. Sorry if I was being an ass earlier.
MIKE (eyebrows raised): If…?
(Mike pops a chip in his mouth and fixes Lucas with a sassy glare.)
LUCAS: Yeah, okay. Point taken.
MIKE: What the hell, Lucas. What was all that?
LUCAS (sighing): I don't know. I guess I just felt blindsided. It… it made me wonder if I ever really knew you.
MIKE (scowling): Of course you do. What are you talking about?
LUCAS: I'm talking about… that's a pretty major thing for me to know nothing about, if I'm supposed to be one of your best friends.
MIKE: No one knew about it. I barely understood it myself. Like, I knew I was having these... these feelings, but I–
LUCAS: Feelings for Will or… just guys in general?
MIKE (taken aback): Well… mostly Will. I, I guess… But, I mean… I was trying so hard not to, I couldn't even acknowledge it, let alone talk about it.
LUCAS: So you just acted like everything was fine.
MIKE: Yeah, basically. I thought if I pretended to be normal, I would somehow… be normal.
LUCAS: See, that's what I mean – you were pretending. So who were you pretending to be? Who was I friends with?
MIKE: It was still me. I was just... attracted to a different person than I let on. It's really not that big a deal.
LUCAS: I guess not. But it's still… weird, man. You and Will? (He gestures to the heavens.) Will. The shy little boy who dresses up in wizard robes?
MIKE: He's not exactly a shy little boy anymore...
LUCAS: Still. It's Will. (making a face like the thought is absurd) I dunno.
MIKE: I love him. Why is that so hard to accept?
(Lucas takes a deep breath and furrows his brow, trying to come up with an answer.)
LUCAS: I dunno. I guess... I feel like I'm… somehow less important to you now. Like, how am I supposed to compete with Will?
MIKE (narrowing his eyes): Wh... Why would you need to compete with anyone?
LUCAS (frustrated): Look, I know it doesn't make sense, I just… I feel like I'm losing everyone. First Max is gone... and now you?
MIKE: I'm not gone, Lucas. I'm right here.
LUCAS: Yeah, but it's different now. You're... different.
MIKE: I'm really not. (He looks at Lucas helplessly and sighs, not sure how to convince him.) And you shouldn't count Max out yet either.
LUCAS (scowling): I'm not counting Max out. I would never give up on Max. Everything just... seems pretty hopeless right now.
(Lips pursed, Mike thinks for a minute, trying to put himself in Lucas’s shoes, trying to figure out why this is so difficult for him. He gets an idea.)
MIKE: Do you remember in fourth grade, when Dustin moved here...? (Lucas gives him a look like, “Well, duh.”) Remember how, when he and I became friends, you were determined to hate him, for what... like, a week or two, until you got to know him?
LUCAS (flatly): Uh-huh...
MIKE: And then the same thing with El, when we first met her.
LUCAS: So...? Why are we bringing this up?
MIKE: It just seems like, whenever there's a shift in the group dynamics, your first instinct is to feel threatened. Until you see that you're not being replaced.
LUCAS: So, you're saying what -- that I'm jealous of Will…? (scoffs) I'm not in love with you, dude.
MIKE: No, I know. Not jealous that way – more… of the connection I have with him. I'm pretty sure once you see that nothing's gonna change, you'll be okay with it.
LUCAS (dubious): Things changed when you went out with El – at least until she dumped you the first time.
MIKE: Yeah, that was different though. I was… overcompensating – trying desperately not to think about Will by spending way too much energy focused on El. It won't be like that this time.
LUCAS: Really?
MIKE: Really. I promise. And hey, when Will and I get into disagreements, I'm gonna need someone to vent to.
(The prospect of this piques Lucas’s interest. He gives Mike a reluctant smirk.)
LUCAS: So... you wanna whine to me about all the things that piss you off about him...?
MIKE: Sure. Why not?
LUCAS (smiling): Okay, yeah. (He nods, kind of liking the idea.) I'm up to the task... But you guys better argue a lot.
(Lucas holds his hand out to Mike as a peace offering.)
MIKE (smiling, shaking Lucas's hand): I'll see what I can do.
(Their eyes meet and they both chortle, knowing that if anyone can create conflict out of nothing, it's Mike.)
LUCAS: You know, that was surprisingly insightful. Especially from you.
MIKE: Well, I'm making an effort to be less clueless.
(Mike holds his bowl of chips out and Lucas takes one.)
LUCAS: Cool. (teasing) That will be a change.
MIKE (rolling his eyes, chuckling): Asshole. (Victorious, Lucas eats the chip and goes back for more.) Also… I'm now realizing that it's basically what Will said earlier. So I guess you can thank him for my insight.
LUCAS (chuckling): Good ol’ Will the Wise. (shaking his head) That's such a Will thing – letting other people take credit for his work.
MIKE: Yup.
(And then Mike truly hears what Lucas just said, and it all comes together – Will crying in the van... afraid of being replaced... his feelings disguised as someone else’s. It was never El who was scared of losing Mike. It was Will. The painting was one hundred percent from Will. But he sacrificed his own heart for what he thought would make Mike happy – which only makes Mike love him even more. Welling up, he peers over at where Will is sitting with El, making sure she's okay, and Mike's heart aches with admiration. He really is the best person Mike could ever know.)
LUCAS (following Mike's gaze): So, this thing with you and Will is real, huh? You really love him?
MIKE: Yeah, I do. (looking at Lucas, beaming) I really do.
LUCAS: How long have you known?
MIKE: Like, forever, pretty much. On some level, I always knew. I just didn't understand what the feelings meant until I was… maybe nine or ten...?
LUCAS: Wow, that long?
MIKE: Yeah. So, really nothing will change – it's always been Will, even if I couldn't admit it. (Mike mischievously raises an eyebrow.) Wanna know a secret?
LUCAS: Yeah. Of course!
MIKE (grinning): I kissed him in fifth grade.
LUCAS (also grinning): Really??
MIKE: Yeah, like, all the time. It was awesome! Until his dad almost caught us and we had to stop.
LUCAS: And you still didn't know he was gay?! That is hilarious!
(While Lucas is cracking up, Dustin walks over and puts an arm around each of their shoulders.)
DUSTIN: There are my boys! Did you guys kiss and make up? (makes kissy noises) Come on – kiss and make up.
MIKE (smirking): We're good.
LUCAS: Yeah, man, everything's fine.
DUSTIN: Gooood, good. 'Cause we have some serious Hellfire business to discuss and I don't wanna feel like I'm in a warzone.
MIKE: Now? We're in the middle of a party here.
DUSTIN: Obviously, but we need to sort out the details of Will's initiation.
MIKE: Oh! I have to get him a shirt still. He's gonna be so stoked. (looking around) Where is Will, anyways?
(As if on cue, Will shows up beside them.)
WILL: I heard my name. (He gives Mike a quick kiss and whispers) Did you miss me?
MIKE (smiling): Always. (Gazing at Will, Mike's heart swells with gratitude. He pulls him into his arms and hugs him tight.) Thank you.
WILL (chuckling, confused): Of course. For what?
MIKE: Just… for being you.
(Lucas makes affectionate puking noises.)
DUSTIN: Aw, you guys are so cuuuute. (He holds his hand up like a stop sign, suddenly serious.) Enough cuteness. Time for Hellfire.
(Back at the record player, El puts on Dionne Warwick's 'That's What Friends are For'. Robin perks up and turns to Steve.)
ROBIN: Ooh, ooh… Steve! We have to Karaoke this baby!
STEVE: We have to what now?
ROBIN: Come on!
(She drags Steve up on the coffee table stage and starts singing along. He stands beside her, looking out uncomfortably at the crowd.)
ROBIN (singing): "…I'm glad I got the chance to say... that I do believe I love you. And if... I should ever–" (to Steve) Come on, sing along.
(Steve joins in, stumbling through the lyrics and getting most of them wrong until the chorus.)
ROBIN (singing): "...Well, then close your eyes and try to feel the way we do today... and then if you can remember…"
STEVE (at the same time as Robin, singing reluctantly): ...Heaven knows your rides are high… uh… f-feel your way… we two today… (with more confidence) and when it's a candy member…
ROBIN (squinting at Steve): ... Wwwhat?
(On the dance floor, Nancy and Jonathan grin at each other and shrug, then go join them. Argyle holds his lighter up like he's at a rock concert.)
ROBIN, STEVE, NANCY and JONATHAN: "Keep smilin'... keep shinin', knowing you can always count on me... for sure...That's what friends are for…"
(Across the room, Mike looks pleadingly at Will, obviously wanting to join the sing-along.)
DUSTIN: Hey! I need your focus over here, gentlemen.
WILL: Can't this wait until after the song?
DUSTIN: No!
WILL (to Mike): It's our party. You wanna?
MIKE: Absolutely.
(Mike drops his bowl on the snack table, grabs Will's hand and runs over to the stage.)
DUSTIN (yelling after them): YOUR INSUBORDINATION WILL BE DULY NOTED!
LUCAS: C'mon, dude. Let's go sing.
DUSTIN (begrudgingly): Alright. Fine.
(Will, Mike, Lucas and Dustin stand on the floor in front of the coffee table, since there's no more room on top. They all sing the next verse.)
ROBIN, STEVE, NANCY, JONATHAN, WILL, MIKE, LUCAS and DUSTIN: "...And so, by the way I thank you... Oh, and then... for the times when we're apart... well, then close your eyes and know these words are coming from my heart... And then if you can remember…"
(Will and Mike gesture for El to come up and join them. When she shakes her head, they both go over and lead her to the front, hugging her between them.)
ROBIN, STEVE, NANCY, JONATHAN, WILL, MIKE, LUCAS, DUSTIN and El: "Oh, keep smilin' and keep shinin', knowing you can always count on me... for sure... That's what friends are for... In good times and bad times, I'll be on your siiiide forever more... Ohhhh, that's what friends are for…"
(The scene fades to black and we see the stage from the void, getting further and further away. Max, Eddie and Barb are standing a long way off, watching their friends.)
MAX: It's good they're having fun while they can.
EDDIE (shaking his head sympathetically): Poor unsuspecting bastards.
BARB (sighing): If they only knew what lay ahead…
MAX: Yeah, well. I'm glad they don't.
(THE END)