Chapter Text
“Did… that just happen?” Dustin looked at the other three, almost in shock. Will excitedly grabbed Dustin, “Should we go?!”
“Is that rhetorical?” Lucas said, smirking.
Mike looked at his friends, slightly annoyed. When have they ever needed to go to parties? Especially Stacey Albright’s party. They’d never gone to parties, so why would they start now?
“No, screw that!” Mike said with a smile on his face. However, no one else smiled; their confused expressions fell onto Mike. “I have a better idea, way better.”
“Better than a party? Are you out of your damn mind?” Lucas raised his eyebrow.
Mike put his hands up, “No, I swear I’ve been working on this really cool campaign and—”
Dustin threw his arms up, “A campaign cooler than Stacey’s party!?”
Mike shook his head, “Back me up, Will, DnD instead of Stacey’s party, right?”
“Well, I mean—” Something caught Will’s eye, and he turned his head away from Mike. Mike followed Will’s gaze to someone, Chance Lawson, Hawkins High’s star basketball player. He was jogging over; what did this mouth breather want?
“Will!” Chance waved his arms, trying to get his attention. Will smiled and met Chance halfway, Chance bringing Will into a hug. Mike tried to hide a grimace. The two of them would walk back over to the group.
“Dustin, that speech was fucking awesome, Higgin’s looked like he was about to blow a gasket.” Chance would lift his hand for a high five.
“Oh? Uh…thanks?” Dustin high-fived Chance back slightly confused.
Chance turned to Lucas, “Going to miss shooting hoops with you.”
“Same goes to you too, Lawson,” Lucas smiled, “You’re the only one who actually knew what they were doing on the court.”
“Heh, yeah, all the other guys were just there for popularity points.” Chance’s eyes fell back onto Will, “Are you going to Stacey's party tonight?”
Mike stepped in front of Will, “He’s not, we’re playing that devil worshiping game you jocks hate so much, and if you’re not careful, we’ll use you as our ritualistic sacrifice.”
Will’s face fell as Mike talked; he crossed his arms uncomfortably. Chance cringed at Mike’s words, then focused back on Will, “Well, Will, you know my number, y’know, since we won’t be able to sneak into the human anatomy classroom anymore. Unless….” A smirk crossed Chance’s face. “You’re done studying.”
Will laughed, a smile formed instantly on his face, “Always have to leave that curiosity door open, right?”
Chance’s smile beamed, “Talk to you later?”
“Of course.” Will scrunched up his face, a smile firmly still placed.
Chance jogged back to his friend group. Dustin and Lucas would turn to Will, whose mouths gaped open in shock.
“Will!” Dustin gasped
“Why didn’t you tell us!” Lucas asked.
Mike looked at Dustin and Lucas. He had a confused expression, “Tell you guys, what?”
Will started to laugh, “I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.”
“It’s a huge deal!” Lucas beamed.
“I’m so happy for you!” Dustin said excitedly.
“I’m sorry, am I the only one here not following?” Mike looked for Will for guidance.
Will whispered, “Mike, I’m kind of going out with Chance...”
Mike stared at Will for a moment. Chance Lawson, king of Hawkins High, dating his best friend? There was no way. What did they even talk about? How could Will date someone who assaulted their friend? Mike turned to Dustin, “Didn’t he beat the shit out of you freshman year?” Mike looked at Will, “You really couldn’t find any other person in all of Hawkins, it had to be him?”
Will crossed his arms, “He’s not like that anymore. He was going through a lot during that time; Andy would peer-pressure him into situations like that... manipulate him…and you act like he didn’t lose one of his friends too when Hawkins split... on top of being a gay kid in a small town.”
Dustin looked at Mike, “And for the record, as Will said, it was mostly Andy bringing on all the heat… so” he shrugged, “Alls forgiven, especially if Will’s into him.”
“You can’t be serious!? He’s a total mouth breather,” Mike shook his head.
“Mike just let it go,” Lucas looked at his watch, “We'd better head to your place if we want to get a head start on this campaign.”
“Finally, someone being reasonable,” Mike mumbled.
~~~
Mike solemnly walked up into his kitchen as he wiped tears from his face. That was a rough ending. Lucas, Max, and Dustin stood around the island while they talked. Mike leaned back on one of the countertops, looking for Will, once he noticed he wasn’t with the group.
“Mrs. Wheeler outdid herself,” Dustin said as he continued to stuff his face with lasagna.
“She really did,” Lucas agreed.
“I get she’s like some kind of master chef, but can you guys eat faster? I’m so ready for Stacey’s party,” Max smiled.
“Wait, hold on? You guys are going to the party?” Mike looked at the group for an explanation.
“Mhm,” Dustin nodded, mouth still full of food.
Mike squinted, with an almost disgusted look in his eyes, “But I thought we were going to watch a movie?”
“Plans changed, man,” Lucas shrugged.
Max crossed her arms, “We took a group vote.”
“Without me!?” Mike asked.
Dustin swallowed the remaining food. “We already knew what you were going to say; four votes outweigh the one.”
Mike's face continued to hold the disgusted expression, “Wait….four votes?”
Mike walked away from the group. There was no way Will voted for this; he had to be going along with it to keep the peace. Will stood next to the front door, arms crossed as if he was waiting for something. Will turned to Mike as he approached. “What’s up?”
"Will, you don't have to go, just because they are… we can still watch a movie together, maybe Child's Play?"
Will looked down as if he felt bad, "Mike, it was my idea to go to Stacy's party after your campaign.”
Mike scrunched up his face, "What!? Why? Since when do you even like parties?"
Will sighed, "Mike... this is the first time we've ever been invited to a party; how can we pass this up?"
"Pretty easily, actually, we've never needed to go to them before, so why start now?" Mike paused, his eyes followed Chance's Toyota Corolla as it pulled up. "What is he doing—hold on—.…you just want to go because HE'S going."
Will raised his eyebrows, "Is there a problem with me going to a party with my boyfriend, Michael?"
Mike shook his head, "What!? NO—no. I just think that maybe you should be spending more time with me—AND the party, since you're moving to New York in a few weeks. Right?"
Will tilted his head and rolled his eyes, “Most of the party is going…. you’re the only one who’s not…. soooo” Will touched Mike’s chest as he pushed him back, “come with us, it wouldn’t kill you, Mike, you know.”
Mike's heart raced, he bit his lip, looking Will up and down, “Okay, fine, since it was your idea.”