Chapter Text
Mike cursed under his breath. He had reached another red light. He could swear there weren’t that many when he had gotten his permit (was it 1991? 1992? too much time had passed since then to remember).
He turned the radio on, hoping to catch a good song (preferably one from when he was young). When he got to the pop channel, the traffic light finally turned green again. As he restarted the car (it was an old model, maybe from the 2000s) and left, Mike decided to let it play, since he hadn’t found what he was looking for. He really needed to upgrade his music taste, after all.
As he was swerving between the cars, trying to get to the supermarket before the checkout line got too big, a new song started on radio.
It’s fine, it’s cool
You can say that we are nothing, but you know the truth
Mike increased the volume on the radio.
And guess I’m the fool
With her arms out like an angel through the car sunroof
The man slowed down and started to look for an empty parking spot, with the song playing in the background. Not paying attention, he missed one spot right next to the shop. However, when Mike noticed another car occupying it, he didn’t get angry (surprisingly).
You can kiss a hundred boys in bars
Shoot another shot, try to stop the feeling
When he finally managed to park, he stayed in the car one more minute, not wanting to leave before the song ended.
You’d have to stop the world just to stop the feeling
You’d have to stop the world just to stop the feeling
When the last slightly distorted note played, and he had heard the name of the song, he exited the car, locked it and went toward the shop. While entering, Mike shook his head. Who could’ve known that the music popular these days would be so good?
When he was finally done with his shopping, he reminded himself to look at the lyrics when he’s home. Mike wasn’t sure he had heard everything correctly.
When he finally got home and entered his garage, Mike didn’t get out of the car but he took his phone and searched “good luck babe lyrics" on Google. By the time he had reached the chorus, he was feeling an emotion that was so old he was almost unable to place it. Once he did, he stopped reading, and got out of the car.
Mike took his time putting the groceries in the fridge, almost like he was postponing it. After washing his hands and changing his clothes, he got seated at his writing desk. Will’s El’s painting was still next to him. His eyes fell on it, like they always did when he thought about Will El.
He took his phone from his pocket and resumed reading. Once finished, he opened YouTube and played it. His eyes went again towards the painting, and he just stared at it.
When you wake up next to him in the middle of the night
With your head in your hands, you’re nothing more than his wife
Mike had spent countless nights staring at it from his bed, wondering about it. Why had El never mentioned it? Why had he been too cowardly to ask about it? Was it possible that Will had lied about it?
And when u think about me, all of those years ago
You’re standing face to face with “I told u so”
He knew it was possible. He had known it was possible since El had returned to Hawkins that day and slammed the door to her room. And he had known since that moment in a room full of people (“I don’t like girls”).
You know I hate to say, “I told you so”
You know I hate to say, but—
Mike stopped the song. There was only one way to be sure. He had been questioning for 35 years, and he was done questioning. He typed the number (he knew it by heart) with trembling hands.
“Hello? Who is this?” asked a familiar voice. Mike almost cried in happiness. Will hadn’t changed his number!
“Will! It’s Mike. I— Mike cleared his throat —I need to talk to you about something, but I’d rather not do it over the phone. Can I come over?”
There was a long pause, so long that Mike started wondering if Will had hung up. Not that he would be mad ("We're best friends!").
“Yeah, sure. Is it about the Upside Down?” Will asked.
Mike exhaled through his teeth. “Not at all, actually. It’s about El.”
Will paused again. “Oh? Any news?”
Mike sucked in a breath. “I’m afraid not. I will tell you more when we meet, ok?”
Will agreed and told him where to meet. Mike hung up without saying goodbye. And if he took a bit longer to get dressed and re-did his hair, who would blame him? He was about to meet his best friend for the first time in 2 years!
As he started his car, he decided to try another song by Chappell Roan. As he scrolled through her list of songs, he picked Pink Pony Club.
I know you wanted me to stay
But I can’t ignore the crazy visions of me in LA
And I heard that there’s a special place
Where boys and girls can all be queens every single day