𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀, ( 𝗺𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿 )

[08] DR. DEGRAY

MARIELLA HOVERS OVER THE SINK, holding the brown paper towels she had gathered from the dispenser and wetting a few. She lets out a sigh, shaking her head, grabbing the first aid kit she placed on the sink next to her. She had made a detour to the classroom to get it from her backpack. Then, rushing out of the bright room and hurries down the hall and back outside to the steps where she had left the boys.

"Took you long enough!" Dustin complains as she walks to the step he stood on and looks down at Mike who held his chin tightly.

"Oh, be quiet. I'm winded," Mariella complains and sits herself down next to Mike. Grabbing at his cheeks and pushing his head up so she can see the cut.

"It's not that bad, Mar," Mike groans as Mariella asks Lucas to put some antiseptic on a cotton ball.

She shakes her head, "Not that bad? You'll be complaining while we bike back to your house, 'Guys, my chin hurts!'.". This comment makes Lucas and Dustin begin to laugh. Mariella then takes the cotton ball from Lucas' hand and places it to Mike's chin, cleaning the wound.

"Ow, ow, ow! Mariella Sloane DeGray-Egan, stop! That hurts!" Mike complains, hissing his words out while shouting out Mariella's full name and her mothers maiden name as he pushes her hand away and pouts at her.

"Stop being such a baby, Mike!" Dustin says, nudging his arm while holding in a laugh.

"Mariella Sloane DeGray Egan!" Lucas mimics, laughing at both Mike's complaints and Mariella's given names. "Oh, that is gold, Ella! Mariella Sloane!" He cackles, slapping his knee as the girl rolls her eyes and continues cleaning Mike's chin.

"For the last time, it was my grandmothers name! And, Sloane was —" Mariella starts, sighing, but it cut off by Lucas, Dustin, and Mike chiming in.

"My great-grandmothers name," They day in unison, familiar with the explanation considering they often tease the girl about her name.

They were fully aware of her issue with it — Mariella was too frilly, whatever that meant, the boys hadn't a clue. Sloane was far too sophisticated in her opinion, she still perceived herself as little, after all! DeGray held too much expectation in Hawkins and she felt uncomfortable being known as only the DeGray girl. She wanted to be known for herself!

"Oh, can it. Alright, hard parts over, Mike," She exhales, pulling the cotton ball from his chin and placing it onto the concrete stairs. It was stained red with blood.

She reaches over his lap for the kit and shuffled through it, her hand touching gauze and antiseptic wipes before she finds a small bandaid. Pulling it out and ripping the wrapper and tossing the wrappings into her pockets, she leans Mike's head back up before placing the bandaid onto his chin.

"Good as new, dumbhead," She smiles before ruffling his hair and beginning to clean up.

"Thank you, Dr. DeGray," Mike teases, knowing how Mariella was always prepared for tending to the boys' injuries.

"Dr. DeGray. I like that — Remember that time Will fell off his bike and skinned his leg completely and Mars went all doctor on him and bandaged him up with gauze? Blood was everywhere! Looked like a scene from Dracula!" Dustin starts with a toothy grin while they all begin to gently laugh at the memory.

"That was the day Mike got grounded for sneaking out," Lucas adds, shaking his head with a smile, "You used to suck at that!" He says while looking to Mike.

"Oh yeah! I remember that! Karen got so so mad!" Mariella pipes up while leaning her head onto Dustin's shoulder. A sleepy smile on her face from the fond memories. "I miss him," She sighs, Lucas nods in agreement, murmurs from Mike and Dustin as well.

"We'll find him. We have El now. She'll help," Mike reassures, confidence in his voice, desperate to bring comfort to his friends — Even though, Lucas was iffy on the girl, he could see through Mike's words. Lucas knew that Mike was desperate to assure his friends that everything was okay. And so, he decided to say nothing.

♧

"All I'm saying is that I don't feel entirely sure that this plan is the best idea," Dustin explains, waving his hands elaborately as the party begins walking to the bike rack.

"Nothing about any of our plans are ever a good idea," Mike responds, bending down to his bike lock and switching through the numbers in order to unlock it.

"He's got a point," Mariella agrees, nudging Dustin gently. "I hope El remembers the time," She adds, sighing while flipping her long hair to the side — hitting Lucas' face in the process.

"Mariella!" Lucas shouts, agitated as he turns to her and shakes his head. The harshness of his voice startling Dustin, Mike, and Mariella — darting their heads back to him.

"What?" She shouts back, voice pitchy as she looks at him with wide eyes. "What'd I do?" She adds.

"Get a haircut! You just whipped me in the face with your stupid strawberry scented hair!" Lucas says, looking at her hair with distaste. Dustin and Mike look to one another with smug smiles, laughs escaping their mouths.

"Not a chance, dumbhead. But, I'll tie it back for your sake, I suppose," She giggles, pulling her pink satin scrunchie off her wrist and bunching her hair up into a ponytail.

"Oh joy, thank you so much!" Lucas responds sarcastically as he pulls his bike out of the cage and bikes away.

"You're so welcome!" She called after him as she mounts her own and bikes after him giggling.