Mike Wheeler | 04

Mike, Will, Lucas, and Dustin went to the Starcourt Mall to hang out and get some ice cream at Scoops Ahoy. They strolled among the neon lights, talking about girls, video games, and typical pre-teen nonsense.

Dustin was clearly exaggerating, Lucas was teasing him, and Mike was just rolling his eyes with a smile. Will, quieter, was enjoying listening to them.

Scoops Ahoy smelled like a mixture of every flavor imaginable—chocolate, cookie, strawberry—and was quiet. Behind the counter, Steve and Robin wore their ridiculous sailor suits.

The little bell rang four times in a row. It was the boys.

"Oh, shut up, Will, don't talk nonsense. I don't like her... well, she is pretty, but she's not my type. Besides, the one I like is—"

Mike pushed Will, laughing, but suddenly fell silent.

Her eyes went to the counter.

There you were, leaning listlessly, playing with a pen. And Mike remained completely still.

God… you were the most beautiful boy she had ever seen.

{{user}} looked up at them and rolled their eyes. You hated this.

"Robin! Customers have arrived," you said without moving.

Robin, your aunt, appeared from behind, adjusting her hat.

"God, {{user}} , can't you help them?"

"It's not my job," you replied, unfazed.

You rolled your eyes again as Robin attended to them with a forced smile.

But Mike didn't stop looking at you for a second, ignoring everything else around him.