People like us
When the Byers left, everything changed.
Lucas got into the basketball team, Max distanced herself from everyone, Dustin spent much more time with Steve, and well.. Mike was just lonely. He was only writing letters to El and Will, not that he actually sends Will any of them. It was making him feel depressed and useless. The fights his mom and his dad had weren't helping either. He needed someone, but he just couldn't tell anyone he was broken, he could fuck up really bad. His dad already told him he looked like a queer.
All he needed was someone just like him, a person who would have understood him
The next day he found himself standing right in front of the store Steve and his friend worked, he thought Dustin would be there.
He walked in and saw Steve flirting with a random girl. His face scrunched. The boy turned around to see Steve's friend. What was her name again? Rosa? ..Or was it Romy? Mike couldn't remember. She looked at him and smiled.
„Hi! You must be one of Steve's children.” the girl greeted.
„Huh? Oh oh, yeah! Sorry.” he snapped out of his thoughts.
The girl observed the boy as he shook his head. His presence was pleasant, but the way he acts reminds her of something.
„What are you here for kiddo?” she asked Mike.
„Um.. Do you by any chance know where Dustin Henderson is? Is he here?”
„Hm? Are you asking for the kid with a cap?”
„Yeah! Do you know where he is?”
The girl shrugs.
„He was here 2 hours ago”
„Dammit.” She hears the boy whispering to himself.
The kid was engaging, she could say. It was like she was suddenly interested in a kid's life.
„What is your name?” she asks hoping for an answer.
„Me? I um.. I am Mike. Mike Wheeler.” he said looking at his shoes.
„Yeah? My name is Robin. Robin Buckley.”
„Why are you asking?” he furrows his brow.
Antisociable? What is this kid hiding to get so defensive anyway? Robin thought.
„I want to talk to you. You seem like a very snazzy kid!”
„Oh.” He says in realization.
„Maybe you could come by the next day at 2 PM! It's when my shift ends and we could talk or whatever you want.” Robin says excited.
„Uhh.. Sure, I'll be there.” Mike responds
„Ok, yeah!” she says
„I guess I'll leave now.” the dark haired boy says
Robin watched him as he left the store. There was a tingly feeling the boy gave her, it was a mix of curiosity, calm and safeness. She wanted to ask him if he was ok. Instead, she let him leave. She figured out that tomorrow was much more of a right day to talk to him. The boy was mysterious, unlike everyone else, she couldn't read him. But she knew that it will be worth it to try.
Mike was surprised but happy that Robin asked him to hang out. It hasn't been happening a lot recently. He felt so vulnerable these months, it was just stressful. He was failing so many classes and it was hard to study while yelling was surrounding him. Mike hoped that hanging out with Robin would help a bit.
So here he was, at family video, waiting for Robin's shift to end.
It took 10 minutes for Robin to come, but she was finally there. She was awkward at first, till she got comfortable and started rambling about some random guy who spilled his coffee on their floor and that Steve told her she should wipe it all. Even tho, she didn't sound mad, just a bit annoyed. Mike was listening to her as she would gesticulate everything she said. She was funny although sometimes she didn't mean to. Mike enjoyed her presence, he didn't feel alone anymore.
„Are you okay? You have been awfully quiet. Am I talking too much?” she panicked
„No, no!” he quickly responded „Just thinking.”
„About what?„ Robin asked.
„Oh nothing, really!” he lied.
Maybe he doesn't want to tell you, stupid Robin. Stupid. Robin thought.
„Do you want to go somewhere else?” Robin asked
„Sure, why not?” he said shrugging.
They left for the park.
Mike started humming something while walking, Robin somewhat recognized the song but was not sure if she was right. So she asked:
„What song is that?”
„What?”
„The song you were humming. What song is it?” she clarified.
„Oh sorry! Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash.”
„I knew it sounded familiar!” Robin said snapping her fingers „Is there any reason you like it?” she asked.
It reminded him of Will, Mike thought. He responded looking at his shoes:
„No.” his voice was flat, emotionless.
Did I ask too much? Maybe I weirded him out. Robin thinks to herself.
„Oh.” Robin slipped out as Mike's eyes widened
„Did I sound mean?” He panicks.
Does he overthink the fact that I only said „oh”? That reminds me of myself, Robin thought.
„No, don't worry” she assures the boy.
They walk in silence for around 10 minutes. Then Robin breaks the unbearable quiet.
„I want to ask you something.”
„Listening.” the boy said and Robin smiled at herself.
„What do you think of like-” Robin sights „Gay people”
Mike stops walking. Robin just wishes she never spoke.
„Why?” Mike says in a.. Cry voice?
„I don't know! J-Just tell me..”
„They are people too. What should I think of them?” Mike says as Robin nods.
„I agree.” she says
Mike breathes in relief „I really thought you were gonna-” he starts, begin cut off by Robin.
„Did you think I would think so low of myself?” she smiles at the boy whose mouth dropped.
„I- What? No way.” he struggles
„Yeah, dude.” she replies
„Am I dreaming? Pinch me right now.” he orders the girl.
Robin looks at him, realizing why he wants to be sure he's not dreaming. She laughs to herself and pinches the boys cheek as his eyes fill up with tears.
„I- You- ” he tries.
„Take your time” she smiles
„You are so brave.” he says fighting his tears.
„Let's go to my house, you'll be brave there.” she tells him. Robin is so happy she found people like her, it was a pain to feel so alone in society.
They walk away as Robin pats his back.