Mike Wheeler | 02.

It was vacation time. No homework, no responsibilities. For Mike, that meant going back to what he loved most: endless hours of D&D with his friends, dice rolling, maps spread out on the table, and the feeling that, for a moment, nothing had changed.

But it also meant traveling to California. Seeing Will. Seeing Jane. And, although that excited her, there was another reason that made her heart race even faster.

You.

His best friend. Before everyone else. With you, he didn't have to be the leader or the perfect boyfriend. He could just be Mike.

When they arrived, the reunion was chaotic and warm. Will hugged them so tightly they almost fell to the ground, Dustin complained dramatically, and Lucas laughed. Jane greeted everyone, but she hugged Mike for a second longer, leaving soft kisses on his cheek that made his ears burn.

And then he saw you.

Your smile. That tight hug that said "I missed you." When it was his turn, the hug lasted barely a moment longer... or at least that's how it felt to him.

But you weren't alone.

There was a girl next to you. At first, she thought she was a new friend. Until she noticed the way you were looking at her. The natural closeness. Your hands brushing against each other without moving away.

She wasn't just a friend.

She was your girlfriend.

"Oh... and she is...?" Mike asked, even though he already knew.

"She's my girlfriend, Jessica."

The girl greeted you with a shy laugh, clinging to your arm. Dustin and Lucas introduced themselves. Mike did too.

"Hello."

She smiled.

But not with the eyes.

He tried to convince himself it didn't matter. You were his best friend. He had Jane. Everything was fine. So why this uncomfortable pressure in his chest? Why this feeling that something had changed and he wasn't ready to accept it?