"EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE" Will Byers x Reader

MadMax// chapter 5

Y/n's POV 

After school, I meet Max at the bike rack to walk to the Arcade. The boys' bikes are gone, so I assume they've gone home already. 

'Hi,' I say, walking up to her. 

'Hey,' Max's face lifts into a half smile. 'Thanks for uh-meeting me.' She scratches the back of her head. 'I don't really have any friends.' She glances at the ground, kicking a piece of dirt. 

'It's not easy, moving to a new place,' I sigh. 

'Haven't you lived here all your life?' Max asks. 'I thought you were, uh Wheeler's sister?' 

'Yeah, well I'm adopted,' I say, starting off down the road. Max follows me, walking slightly behind me. 

'Oh, I didn't know,' Max blinks. 

'So what's California like?' I change the subject. 

'It was, great,' Max sighs. 'But we had to move because of-' 

'Because of...' 

'You haven't met my brother yet, have you?' Max asks. I can sense her anxiety, so I don't bring up California again. 

'No, I haven't. Should I have?' I ask. The arcade is just ahead. 

'No.' Max grimaces. 'I wouldn't want to if I were you.' 

'That bad?' I grin, walking in. Max shoots me a grin back. 

'Worse.' 

...

'After dinner, I want you to pick out your toys for the yard sale.' Karen reminds Mike at dinner. He shoots her a very annoyed glance. Mike's been extremely moody lately. I think El's absence put him on edge. He misses her, and I get it. I miss her too. 

'Fine.' He sighs, staring down at his plate. 

'Two boxes' worth.' Karen continues. 

'Two boxes?' Mike mouth opens slightly. 

'You heard me.' 

'I'm fine with you giving away a couple, but the other ones have way too much emotional value.' Mike complains. 

'Emotional value? They're hunks of plastic, Michael.' Ted says unsympathetically, continuing with his dinner. 

'You already took away my Atari.' Mike glares. 

'Didn't wanna lose more toys, you shouldn't have stolen from Nancy.' Karen chides. I sigh inwardly. 

'I didn't steal. I borrowed.' Mike corrects halfheartedly. 

'Oh, and you didn't curse out Mr. Kowalski last week either, right? Or plagiarize that essay? Or graffiti the bathroom stall?' Karen continues. 

'Everyone graffitis the bathroom stall.' Mike argues. 

'So if your friend jumps off a cliff, you're gonna jump, too?' Ted queries. I happen to know that Mike would jump off a cliff if his friend did. Or if it would save one. Obviously, because he did. His parents are just so unaware. 

....

So dinner was a complete shit show. Mike stabbed his food several times before getting up and going to the basement. 

'Sorry, uh can I be excused?' I ask. Karen smiles sadly at me. 

'Of course, sweetie.' I carry my plate to the sink and follow Mike, stepping onto the stairs carefully and sitting down to listen. 

'El, are you there? El? It's me. It's Mike. It's day 352, 7:40 p.m.' He pauses. 'I'm still here. If you're out there, say something. Or give me a sign. I won't even say anything. Just... I wanna know if you're okay.' Silence meets his ears. But I can feel something. A presence. I close my eyes, and I'm transported...somewhere. 

'El?' I gasp, seeing the girl in front of me. Her hair is longer, grown into brown ringlets on her head. 

'Y/n!' Her mouth falls open. She's sitting in a room, one I don't recognize. Her nose is bleeding slightly. 

'You're okay!' I stammer. 'Where are you? How-' 

I cut myself off, wrapping her in a hug. 

'I miss you,' She says simply. 

'I miss you too El,' I take a shaky breath, wiping away tears. 'Where are you?' 

'Hopper,' El replies. 'I'm living in his cabin.' 

'I'm just so glad you're safe,' I say. 'Can I see you?' 

El's face falls. 'Not allowed. Can't see Mike.' 

I grind my teeth. That man has the audacity to keep my sister from me. My mind ticks over several options. 

'Okay.' I sigh. 

'Soon.' She promises. 'He said I could see you soon.' 

'Mike misses you.' I add. 'A lot.' 

'I miss him too.' El says softly. 'He still calls. Everyday.' 

'I know.' I reply. In the background, I can hear Mike talking to Lucas. 

'You should go,' El says, giving me a last hug. 'I'll see you soon.' 

'Promise?' 

'Promise.'