À total bitch-Mike Wheeler

The Party was hanging out in Mike’s basement after school. Dustin was arguing with Lucas over a D&D rule while El sat beside Dustin, laughing at the two boys. Max had her feet kicked up on the couch next to Lucas, casually stealing popcorn from his bowl. You were sitting beside Mike, your shoulder against his. Everything was normal. Until Olivia walked down the stairs. She smiled brightly at everyone. “Hey, guys!” Mike looked up. “Oh. Hey, Olivia.” Olivia’s eyes immediately went to him. Then to you. Her smile faded for half a second. “So,” she said, walking over, “Mike, you never told me you played guitar.” Mike shrugged. “I mean... I do sometimes.” “You should play for me sometime.” You raised an eyebrow. Mike noticed. “I usually play with—” “Me,” you interrupted jokingly. Mike smiled. “Yeah. You.” Olivia looked annoyed. Dustin whispered to Lucas, “Oh, this is gonna be good.” Lucas elbowed him. Max glanced at Olivia suspiciously. “Why are you staring at Mike like that?” “I’m not,” Olivia said quickly. “You definitely are,” Max replied. El giggled. Olivia ignored them and sat beside Mike. Way too close. You stared at her. Mike looked uncomfortable. “So, Mike,” Olivia said sweetly, “do you want to hang out tomorrow? Just us?” Mike shook his head. “Sorry. I’m hanging out with—” “You’re busy,” you finished. Mike nodded. “Yeah.” Olivia rolled her eyes. “You’re always with her.” The room went quiet. Mike frowned. “Because she’s my girlfriend.” Olivia looked at you. “I know.” Across the room, Will had been completely silent. His eyes were fixed on Mike. Nobody noticed. Nobody ever noticed. Not when Mike smiled at you. Not when Mike held your hand. Not when Mike leaned over and whispered something that made you laugh. Will looked down at the floor, hiding the hurt in his expression. He liked Mike. He had for a long time. But Mike didn't know. And nobody else knew either. Suddenly Olivia stood up. “Whatever,” she muttered. “I’m going upstairs.” She walked away. Dustin waited until she was gone before saying, “Well... that was incredibly awkward.” Max laughed. “She’s definitely trying to steal Mike.” Lucas looked at you. “Are you okay?” You nodded. “Yeah.” Mike reached for your hand. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said quietly. You smiled.

The Party was all together at the arcade. Dustin and El were playing air hockey, with Dustin dramatically celebrating every time he scored. “Did you see that?” Dustin yelled. “I’m basically a professional!” El smiled. “You got lucky.” Lucas and Max were sitting nearby, sharing a milkshake while arguing about which game they should play next. You were standing beside Mike, watching everyone. Will was nearby too, quietly sketching in his notebook. Then Olivia walked over. “Mike,” she said. Mike turned around. “Yeah?” “Can I talk to you?” You looked at Mike. He nodded. “Sure.” Olivia led him a few steps away. Will glanced up from his drawing. He watched Olivia talking to Mike. He couldn't hear what they were saying, but he could tell from Olivia's expression that she was flirting. Mike looked uncomfortable. Olivia touched his arm. Will's pencil stopped moving. Max noticed. “Will?” Will quickly looked down. “What?” “You okay?” “Yeah.” Max narrowed her eyes. “You've been acting weird lately.” Will forced a smile. “I’m fine.” Across the arcade, Olivia smiled at Mike. “You know,” she said, “if you ever get tired of being with her...” Mike immediately interrupted. “I won't.” Olivia blinked. “What?” “I love her.” Your heart skipped when you heard him say it. Olivia looked annoyed. “You barely even spend time with anyone else anymore.” Mike shrugged. “I like spending time with her.” Olivia crossed her arms. “You could do better.” Mike frowned. “Don't talk about her like that.” Olivia rolled her eyes. “Whatever.” She walked away. Mike returned to you and took your hand. “What happened?” you asked. “Nothing.” “You sure?” Mike smiled. “Yeah. Come on.” He pulled you toward the games. Will watched the two of you. His chest hurt. He looked down at his drawing. It was a picture of Mike. Will quickly closed the notebook when Max walked over. “You really are acting weird,” Max said. Will swallowed. “I just have a lot on my mind.” Max studied him for a moment. “Okay...” She walked away. Will sighed in relief. But then he heard Mike laughing. He looked up. You were standing beside Mike, and Mike had his arm around you.

The Party was hanging out in Mike’s basement. Dustin and El were sitting on the couch together, playing a video game. “Ha! I won!” Dustin shouted. El crossed her arms. “You cheated.” “I did not!” “You looked at my screen.” “That is called strategy.” El laughed and shoved his shoulder. Across the room, Olivia walked over. “Dustin?” He looked up. “Yeah?” “Can you help me with something upstairs?” Dustin paused the game. “Uh... sure.” El looked at him. “I’ll be right back,” Dustin said. Olivia smiled and led him upstairs. A few minutes later, Dustin came back down. El immediately noticed something was different. “What happened?” “Nothing.” “You're lying.” Dustin blinked. “I am not!” El stared at him. Dustin sighed. “Okay, fine. Olivia was asking me about you.” El tilted her head. “About me?” “Yeah. She asked if we were actually dating.” El smiled. “We are.” Dustin smiled too. “I know.” Suddenly Olivia came down the stairs. “Dustin, can I talk to you again?” El stood up. “No.” Everyone went silent. Olivia raised an eyebrow. “And why not?” “Because he's my boyfriend.” Dustin's face turned bright red. “Uh... yeah. She's right.” Olivia rolled her eyes. “You're being dramatic.” El grabbed Dustin's hand. “No. I'm protecting what I love.” Dustin smiled at her. “You know, that was actually really cool.” El smiled. “Good.” Dustin leaned closer and whispered, “I love you too.” From the other side of the room, Mike whispered to you, “Dustin is never going to stop talking about this.” You laughed. Meanwhile, Will quietly watched everyone. Nobody noticed the sadness in his eyes. Because while Dustin was lucky enough to have El's love out in the open...

Everyone was hanging out in Mike's basement. Dustin was sitting beside El on the couch, playing a board game with the others. “Dustin, it's your turn,” El said. “I know! I'm thinking.” “You've been thinking for five minutes.” “Great decisions take time.” El laughed. Then Olivia walked over and sat on the other side of Dustin. “Hey, Dustin.” Dustin looked at her. “What's up?” “I wanted to ask you something.” “Okay.” Olivia leaned closer. “Do you ever get tired of always hanging out with El?” Dustin looked confused. “No. Why?” “You could hang out with me instead.” Dustin immediately shook his head. “I'm good.” Olivia frowned. “Why?” Dustin looked over at El. “Because she's my girlfriend.” El smiled. Olivia crossed her arms. “You're really serious about her?” Dustin laughed. “Of course I am.” El reached over and grabbed his hand. Dustin squeezed it. “I love El.” El's face turned bright red. “You love me?” Dustin stared at her. “I literally just said that.” El smiled. “I love you too.” Dustin grinned. “See? Perfect couple.” Mike laughed from across the room. “You two are ridiculous.” Dustin pointed at him. “Jealous because we're adorable?” “No.” “Yes.” “No.” Dustin laughed. Olivia stood up, clearly annoyed. “Whatever.” She walked away. El looked at Dustin. “Was she trying to steal you?” Dustin shrugged. “Maybe.” El's eyes narrowed. “Should I be worried?” Dustin shook his head. “No way.” He wrapped an arm around her. “You're stuck with me.” El smiled. “Good.” Dustin kissed her forehead. “Good.”

Everyone was hanging out at the arcade. Lucas and Max were playing one of the racing games, while Dustin and El were arguing over which game to play next. You were sitting with Mike nearby. Will was drawing in his notebook. Then Olivia walked over to Lucas. “Lucas?” He looked at her. “Yeah?” “Can you help me with this game?” Max looked over. “She can figure it out herself.” Olivia frowned. “I was asking Lucas.” Lucas shrugged. “Sorry. I'm kinda busy.” Max smiled. “Good answer.” Lucas laughed. Olivia crossed her arms. “You two are always together.” Lucas looked at Max. “Yeah. That's because she's my girlfriend.” Max smiled proudly. Olivia rolled her eyes. “You could do better.” Lucas immediately stopped smiling. “Don't say that.” Max looked surprised. Lucas continued, “Max is amazing. I'm not interested in anyone else.” Max's cheeks turned pink. “Lucas...” “What?” “That was actually really sweet.” Lucas grinned. “I'm just telling the truth.” Dustin walked over. “Gross. You two are being romantic again.” Lucas laughed. “Jealous?” “Of you? Never.” El grabbed Dustin's arm. “You are jealous.” “I am not!” Max laughed. Then Olivia walked away, clearly annoyed. Lucas watched her leave before turning back to Max. “You okay?” Max nodded. “Yeah.” Lucas took her hand. “Good.” Max squeezed his hand. “You know I love you, right?” Lucas smiled. “Yeah. I love you too.” Across the arcade, Will watched the group laughing together. Mike was laughing with you. Dustin was holding El's hand. Lucas and Max were together. Everyone seemed happy. But Will quietly wondered how long he could keep his own secret

The Party was at Mike’s house, hanging out in the living room. Lucas was sitting on the floor beside Max, helping her with a crossword puzzle. “It's obviously three letters,” Lucas said. Max frowned. “I know that.” “Then why haven't you written it?” “Because you're distracting me.” Lucas smiled. “You like when I distract you.” Max rolled her eyes, but she smiled. Suddenly Olivia walked over. “Lucas, can you help me?” Lucas looked up. “With what?” “My bike. Something's wrong with it.” Max looked at Olivia. “Since when do you need Lucas to fix your bike?” Olivia shrugged. “Since now.” Lucas stood up. “Fine. I'll take a look.” Max grabbed his hand. “Don't be gone too long.” Lucas smiled. “I won't.” Outside, Olivia stood beside her bike. Lucas examined it for a few seconds. “Your chain's loose.” Olivia smiled. “Can you fix it?” “Yeah.” Lucas crouched down and fixed the chain. Olivia watched him. “You're really good at this.” Lucas shrugged. “It's not that hard.” “You're really nice too.” Lucas stopped. “Uh... thanks.” Olivia stepped closer. “You know, if you weren't dating Max...” Lucas immediately stood up. “I'm dating Max.” Olivia smiled. “I know.” “And I love her.” Olivia's smile disappeared. “You don't even know what I was going to say.” “I know enough.” Lucas walked back inside. Max looked up. “Everything okay?” Lucas sat beside her. “Yeah.” Max studied his face. “Did Olivia say something?” Lucas hesitated. “Yeah.” “What?” Lucas took Max's hand. “She was flirting with me.” Max raised an eyebrow. “And?” “And I told her I'm not interested.” Max smiled. “Good.” Lucas leaned closer. “Because there's only one girl I want.” Max smiled. “Who?” Lucas grinned. “You.” Max kissed his cheek. Dustin immediately shouted from across the room, “GET A ROOM!” Everyone laughed. Lucas threw a pillow at him. “Shut up, Dustin!” Max laughed as she rested her head on Lucas's shoulder. For once, Olivia had failed. Lucas had made his choice. And it was Max

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