Work Text:
We Used To Be Best Friends
Rink-O-Mania
March 20, 1986
To prevent Mike from feeling bad, El told Mike in one of her letters to him that she had made many friends at their school in Lenora Hills. She mentioned Angela as one of her friends, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Angela was a bully that tormented El at every opportunity. Just before Spring Break, Angela’s friend intentionally tripped El, causing her to fall and break her diorama of her adopted father, Jim Hopper, and the cabin they lived in. This was especially traumatic for El because of her relationship with Hopper and the fact that he was presumed dead after the gate was closed the previous year.
Will and El had not made any close friends since their move to California, but they grew closer to each other as friends and now as siblings. Their shared trauma helped their relationship grow, but it made it difficult for either of them to make friends with other people since they couldn’t talk about what really happened without sounding clinically insane.
Will knew why El lied to Mike, but he disagreed with it. Of all people, Mike would understand what it’s like to be considered an outcast and get picked on. Still, El didn’t want him worrying about her. Will tried to convince El to come clean, but she stuck to her plan. It may have worked had Angela and her friends not shown up, but as luck would have it, that’s what happened.
Since the move, Mike and El had written countless letters to each other. They talked on the phone whenever they had the opportunity, but Mike’s communication with Will was limited. Will didn’t admit it, but he felt a little jealous. He was happy for Mike and El, and he grew to love El as his new sister, but he wished Mike would reach out to him. Still, he looked forward to Mike’s visit, hoping to spend time with him like they used to back in Hawkins, but he grew disappointed when Mike hardly acknowledged him.
He told himself things would get better, but as the day progressed, he felt more like a third wheel, wondering if either would notice if he left and went home. He wished he could go home and work on his art or watch TV or listen to music: anything but what he was doing at that moment. He wasn’t sure who was to blame for this: Mike for seeming to forget about his existence, El for monopolizing Mike’s time, or himself for being a third wheel. Even so, he couldn’t bring himself to feel any hate or resentment towards either of them.
When El went to the bathroom, leaving Mike with Will, Will decided to tell him the truth. He felt terrible, knowing El didn’t want him doing that, but he also knew that if the lie continued, it could be much more embarrassing for her.
“Mike,” Will quietly nudged him. “Can we talk?”
“Of course,” Mike answered, oblivious to what was happening. “What’s up?”
“Don’t tell El I told you this,” Will started. “But things here haven’t been as smooth as she has been saying.”
“What are you talking about?” Mike questioned.
“The other kids,” Will started. “Especially Angela, are not friends of ours. Angela has been really mean to her.”
“I don’t understand,” Mike looked confused. “If that’s the case, why would she tell me Angela is her friend?”
“Because she doesn’t want you to worry,” Will answered without hesitation. “She loves you and doesn’t want you to feel bad.”
“I do feel bad,” Mike responded. “I hate that she’s having trouble, but I wish she would have been honest with me.”
“Don’t tell her you know the truth,” Will asked Mike, disagreeing with El’s decision to lie but wanting to save her from embarrassing herself.
“I won’t,” Mike promised, putting his finger to his lips, subtly pointing to Angela speaking to the DJ. They moved closer and listened carefully. Their eyes grew big as they heard her and the DJ plan to humiliate her in front of everyone.
“What are you doing?” El asked, startling the boys as she returned.
“N-nothing,” Mike stuttered.
“Friends don’t lie,” El looked into Mike’s eyes, seeing right through his lie but failing to see the irony in her comment.
“You’re right,” Mike sighed. “We were listening to what these two were saying.” He pointed to Angela, speaking to the DJ.
“And then I throw the milkshake all over her dress,” Angela giggled as she explained her plan to the DJ. The DJ, a teenager, and friend of Angela, was in on the prank as well.
As El heard these words, her face felt like it was on fire, and her mouth dried up. She didn’t need to see her reflection to know she was blushing hard.
“I…I…” she fumbled with her words.
“It’s okay,” Mike tried to reassure her, but she couldn’t even look at him. Embarrassed, she skated away as fast as she could.
“El, wait!” Will yelled, but she was lost in the crowd before he and Mike could catch up to her.
“No, no, no,” Mike panicked. “Where did she go?”
“I don’t know,” Will answered. “I didn’t see anything you didn’t.” They took off their skates and went through the crowd, hoping to find her.
“I screwed up,” Mike whined.
“What’s that look for?” Mike noticed Will rolling his eyes.
“It’s nothing,” Will lied. “Let’s just find her.”
“It’s not nothing,” Mike insisted. “I know you, and I know when something is bothering you.”
“You knew me,” Will snapped, correcting his friend.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Mike snapped back.
“It’s been almost a year since we moved,” Will looked at Mike with anger and disappointment evident in his eyes. “You’ve written to or called her practically every day, but you’ve reached out to me maybe twice.”
“She’s my girlfriend,” Mike defended himself. “We’re friends. We’re friends.”
“I know,” Will sighed. “But we used to be best friends.”
“Can…” Mike started. “Can we just look for her?”
“Fine,” Will answered, annoyed with Mike but concerned for his sister.
“Hey, Mike,” Angela twirled her hair with a suspicious-looking smile. “Where’s Jane?”
“Fuck off,” Mike stated angrily. “We heard your plans.”
“I was just kidding,” she giggled nervously. “We’re old friends.”
“No, you’re not,” Will stared at her. “Get lost.” Angela giggled as she walked away.
After ten hectic minutes of searching, Will spotted El seated on the floor, hugging her knees.
“El,” he walked to her. “Are you okay?”
“Sorry, Will,” El looked down. “I lied. Friends don’t lie.”
“It’s okay, El,” Will helped her to her feet, giving her a quick hug.
“You’re…not mad?” El asked with puppy-dog eyes.
“I’m not mad, and neither is Mike,” Will reassured her. “We were just worried because we couldn’t find you.”
“El,” Mike hugged and kissed her, making her feel better, but she couldn’t shake the embarrassment she felt from being caught in her lie.
Byers California Home
The trip back home was awkward for the three teens. El was safe, and the boys saved her from being humiliated. Still, Will was angry and disappointed in Mike, and Mike felt uncomfortable after their argument. Jonathan and Argyle, high as usual, we’re blissfully unaware of the tension.
Dinner was a distraction as Murray joined them. Joyce and Murray made a deal to get Hopper home from Russia, but they didn’t want the kids to get involved, so they said they had a business trip for the weekend.
El, still shaken up from what happened, barely touched her food. Without saying a word, she went upstairs to her room.
“I’m going to talk to her,” Mike said as he started to get up.
“No,” Will protested. “This has happened before, and I know how to help her.
“Are you sure?” Mike seemed skeptical.
“I’m sure,” Will insisted as he got up to talk to his sister.
“Can I come in?” Will knocked on El’s door. “It’s Will.”
“Yes,” El responded sadly.
“Hey,” Will said to her, sitting beside her. El was working on her diorama of Hopper’s cabin. They hadn’t had the chance to fix it yet, but Will never broke a promise.
“I look stupid,” El sounded sad.
“El, I understand,” he put his hand on hers and looked into her eyes reassuringly. “I’ve been in situations like this with Mom, where I told her I was fine and I wasn’t. She pressed on and helped me but wasn’t angry with me. Mike’s crazy about you. I know it, and you know it.”
“Thanks, Will,” she smiled, showing happiness and relief. She had occasional problems picking up on social cues, but she always knew if Will was truthful.
“Will?” she spoke softly after a brief silence. “Why are you sad?”
“I’m not sa….” Will began, then realized it was pointless lying to her. “Okay. I’ll tell you, but before I say anything, I want you to know that I’m not angry with you, and I love you like a sister. Do you understand?”
El nodded, waiting for Will to continue.
“It’s Mike,” Will sighed. “I’m happy for you two. I really am, but I feel like I’ve lost Mike.”
“Lost Mike?” El repeated. “He’s downstairs.” Even though she’s intelligent, her time in the lab made it difficult to understand social cues and the meaning of phrases.
“That’s not what I mean,” Will gently corrected her. “Mike and I had been best friends for a long time, but ever since we moved, he hasn’t written me any letters, and we only spoke on the phone a couple of times. It’s like he’s forgotten I exist.”
“He didn’t forget you,” El assured him.
“It feels like he has,” Will insisted sadly.
“He hasn’t,” El pressed on. “Promise.”
“You’re so nice,” Will smiled a little. “You’re saying that because you want me to feel better.”
“No,” El repeated herself. “He loves you. Like a brother.” She then got up and took out some of the letters Mike sent her.
“Why are you showing me this?” Will asked curiously.
“Look,” El took out one of the letters. In the letter, Mike mentioned how excited he was to see Will again. Other letters asked how he was doing, and some commented on what was happening at various times.
Will smiled as he read those parts of the letters mentioning him and expressing Mike’s care for him, but one letter caught his eye more than the others. It read:
To be completely honest, I’m scared. You’re right. I should call or write to Will, but Lucas and I let him down last summer. He planned a great D&D campaign, but we were total assholes to him. I said, “It’s not my fault you don’t like girls,” Will looked so betrayed. When we found him again, he destroyed Castle Byers. We felt like shit and wanted to make things right, but the Mind Flayer returned. We never discussed it again, and I don’t know if he ever forgave us. He’s been through so much, but this time, we hurt him, not the Upside Down. I can’t forgive myself for hurting him, so why would he forgive me? As much as I hate not being able to talk to him, I don’t think I can handle it if he tells me we’re not friends anymore. I’d rather sit here and wonder if we’re still friends than have him tell me that. I know that sounds stupid, but it’s how I feel.
-From Mike
As Will read that, he didn’t notice his eyes water up. He spent so much time thinking about what Mike thought about him that he didn’t even consider Mike’s perspective. Will found himself feeling bad for his best friend. Will had forgiven his friends for what happened long ago and hadn’t thought much about it, but he was flattered that Mike cared so much for him.
“Will?” Mike startled him, putting his hand on his shoulder.
“Mike,” Will smiled with tears in his eyes. “I had no idea.” He gave the letter he had read back to Mike.
“What is this?” He asked, his eyes widening. “El, you showed him this?”
“I had to,” she said softly.
“I’m sorry, Will,” Mike smiled sadly.
“Mike,” Will hugged Mike tightly as Mike hugged back. “You’re my best friend. My brother.”
“So, you forgive me and Lucas?” Mike asked.
“I forgave you two a long time ago,” Will answered happily.
“I’m so happy to hear that,” Mike sighed in relief. “I swear I’ll write and call.”
“I know you will,” Will closed his eyes with a smile, still holding onto Mike. “Now, El, get over here and join us.”
“Okay!” El smiled as they held each other for a while before breaking apart.
Mike’s first day visiting his girlfriend and best friend was a little tough at the start, but it ended better than any of them could have hoped. Long-distance friendships and relationships aren’t easy, but the three of them knew they could make it work and that their bond could never break. This was only the first day of spring break, and now, they could enjoy it with each other. Even after the break, they stayed in close contact and took advantage of every opportunity to see each other.