Chapter Text
Mike
The sunlight shining through my window in my eyes wakes me up. I can’t believe we’ve graduated high school. Can’t believe El is gone. I miss her so much it hurts. She was pretty much the only bright side of this. She made all of our lives better. The silver lining of the dark storm cloud that ruined all our lives. It feels weird, like my memories are already fading.
I mean, ever since we defeated Vecna so easily, everything’s been wrong. It all feels too… perfect, like it’s a TV show. But surely that’s just my paranoia. After all, what’s expected from a kid who’s fought monsters for years?
I press the pillow over my head, trying to get rid of the thoughts. Trying to get rid of this constant headache I’ve had, like I’ve been focusing too hard on something far away.
Hopping out of bed, I put on some clothes, a collared shirt and jeans.
Wait… I hate collared shirts. That’s what my dad likes. And I never wear jeans. I go back to my closet to find that’s pretty much all that’s in there. Stereotypical clothes for a writer about to go to college… maybe my mom bought me new clothes?
God, I’m thinking too far into this. My mom clearly just wanted to get me some new stuff before I leave for college, it’s really nice honestly. I should thank her.
I walk into the bathroom and brush my teeth, the sharp mint toothpaste stinging my taste buds and nose as I scrub the brush around my mouth. I spit into the sink and look up at the wall.
Huh, that’s weird. I could’ve sworn that wall had been painted white, not blue.
The loud pop of the toaster from downstairs startles me, and I run downstairs to grab a piece of toast before I go hang out with Max.
We’ve gotten along better lately. I mean, we’ve always been better friends than we seemed. Just because we fought didn’t mean we didn’t like each other. But lately, we haven’t even been fighting as much. Guess we’re both maturing.
Bye, Mikey!” my mom yells, and I wave goodbye before running out the door and hopping on my bike.
I’m so excited to see my friends a few times before we go off to college. I mean, these five are the only reason I haven’t gone insane yet.
Even my friends have been weird lately though, seeming more like an outsider's view of them than who they truly are. Max is meaner, but at the same time nicer in ways she wouldn’t be. And she isn’t doing the little things that usually are her way of showing kindness. Dustin is more hyper, childish, nerdy. Well, he is those things, but he’s lacking in his ego and sense of maturity. Lucas isn’t as sensible, and isn't joking around anymore. And Will… I don’t even know about him. I know Will better than anyone on this planet. And he’s wrong.
I hop on my bike and start pedaling towards the park we’re meeting at. It feels smoother than it had been… I thought this thing had a flat tire? I shake my head, deciding to stop by the coffee shop to grab a coffee before I meet Max. Maybe that’ll set my thinking straight.
Now, where is the coffee shop? I think it’s on Cornwallis, next to the library.
As I pedal, the town flies by. It looks different than I remember, did they really change it that much when they rebuilt after the rifts?
It’s similar of course, but more old fashioned. Trees, houses, and cars pass by as I bike.
I turn onto Cornwallis, but the shop is nowhere to be found. Man, how much sleep did I get last night?
I bike around for a bit before finding it on one of the neighboring roads.
Weird.
I drop my bike against the wall and open the door with a jingle.
As I walk in, the smell of coffee and steam assaults my nose. I never liked coffee, but have started drinking it more because I can never sleep anymore.
“Mike?” the barista calls out, setting the cup down on the counter.
“Thanks,” I mumble as I take a sip.
The caffeine doesn’t do much to help, just makes me more jittery. As I walk out, someone’s face seems to stretch into an evil, toothy grin. But when I look back it’s normal. I walk faster, fear working through my brain.
What is wrong with me?