𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 • (byler)

048

"you said it looked better on me than it did you."

"hey, el, can i ask you a question?" michelle asked.

el and michelle were sitting together while the boys were together, getting to know mike better.

"sure." el replied.

"are you okay with steven and i dating?" she asked.

eleven pursed her lips.

"why wouldn't i be?" she shrugged.

"i don't know, you were just acting a little weird when you and will found out."

"i was?"

michelle nodded.

"oh."

of course el knew she was acting weird, but she couldn't tell michelle because she didn't know how she'd react and because there was someone else who she thought was better for her anyway.

"did steven do something bad? is that it? or is it because you don't like him?" michelle continued.

"no, steven is good. i didn't mean to act weird, i was just...tired and cold." el lied.

"are you sure?" michelle asked.

"i promise. i still have your hat, by the way." el reminded michelle.

"oh, gosh, keep it." michelle waved her off.

"a-are you sure? it's yours and i don't want to take it from you." el uttered.

"i'm sure. el. it looks better on you than it does me." michelle smiled.

"thanks." el smiled back.

the boys were on the opposite side of the park. mike had made sure will was next to him and nowhere near alex. sure, they made up and solved everything, but mike still didn't trust him.

"so, mike, what's it like where you live?" steven asked.

"it's quieter than here, but at the same time there's still a lot going on. and by a lot, i mean, a lot." mike answered.

"do you like it there?" steven asked.

"i guess so." mike shrugged.

"how about you will? do you like it better here or there?" alex spoke up.

will opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say. mike sneakily grabbed his hand.

"don't hate me, but i like it there better. i miss it so much. you guys are great, but it's not the same." will sighed.

nobody said anything after that. the boys just sat in silence as well as the girls.

"hey, we should probably get going. i'm pretty cold." will broke the silence.

"yeah, me too." mike agreed.

they stood up and went over to get the girls. they all walked home in silence.

"hey, guys, max called while you were out." joyce informed as the three walked through the door.

"really?" el smirked.

"yeah, you guys should give her a call back." karen suggested.

will went over to the phone and dialed max's number. he really hoped that billy didn't pick up.

"hello?" max answered.

"max, hey." will sighed, happy that she was the one who picked up.

"will, hey! merry christmas!" max exclaimed.

"merry christmas. did you have a good christmas?" will asked.

"yeah, it was pretty good." max replied.

"hey, is el there?" she added.

"uh huh. do you want to talk to her?" will smirked.

"sure!"

"here, el, max wants to talk." will winked.

el smiled and picked up the phone.

"why are you winking?" mike whispered.

"i'll tell you later." will muttered.

"hi, max." el gushed.

"el! what's up! i miss you so much." max exclaimed.

"i miss you more. i really wish i could see you soon." max frowned.

"me too. um, i love you." el murmured.

"what?" max asked.

el's cheeks turned to a bright pink color.

"uh, i...i uhm—. n-nothing." el stuttered.

"okay? i'll call you guys later." max said.

"bye."

el hung up the phone and ran her fingers through her hair.

she turned around to see mike and will staring at her, then stomped upstairs.

"what was that about? what's going on?" mike furrowed his eyebrows.

"ugh, of course you don't get it." will rolled eyes.

"hey!" mike yelled.

"come on, let me tell you." will grabbed mike's hand and pulled him upstairs.

he took mike to his room and closed the door.

"el liked you, then she liked michelle, but i think the person she really likes and really wants to be with is max!" will ranted.

mike's jaw dropped. "el likes boys and girls? is she bisexual, too?"

"no, she doesn't like boys for boys and girls for girls, she just likes people for people." will explained.

"well," mike sat down on the bed. "if she likes max, and both of them helped get us together, then you know that we have to return the favor."

"great, i'm in, but there's just one tiny problem." will sat down next to his boyfriend.

"what's that?" mike asked.

"well, we don't know if max is straight or not."

word count: 779
elmax shippers, where y'all at?