Mike sat at his desk next to the window in Mr Clarke's classroom, his chin perched in his hand as he bounced his pencil off the table. It had been three weeks since El had returned to him... and he hadn't seen her since. Life had essentially gone on like it had when she wasn't here, and Mike hated that.

Within the first week of her return, Mike and the other boys had decided to start regrouping at Will's house after school since El was now staying there. They thought that she maybe just needed some extra effort to warm up to them again, which was... understandable. What they didn't predict was how attached to Will she became.

While the other boys were busy setting up their D&D board for an all new campaign, El and Will sat on the couch together while they went through one of Holly's old picture books (El asking questions on every page). Even though he knew it was selfish, Mike was jealous. HE wanted to be the one teaching her about the big wide world. HE wanted to be the one she giggled with when one of them said a swear word on from of her by accident... but it was Will's side that she had came attached to, and nobody really understood it from an outside view.

Mike sat back in his seat, swinging on the back legs as he looked over to Lucas. "I don't get it. Did I do something wrong?"

Lucas was happy that Eleven was back, but he wasn't happy about having to listen to Mike pine after her. Yes, El's attitude had came as a shock to all of them, but none of them really felt the hurt that Mike did. "I don't know, maybe all those science experiments have finally screwed up her brain."

Mike glared at Lucas as he turned his attention back to the worksheet on front of him. He couldn't focus, not when he had so many unanswered questions inside his head.

Dustin leaned past Lucas to offer Mike some comforting words, giving him his signature toothless smile. "She probably just needs some space. Don't overwhelm her, she'll be back to usual in no time."

The boys pulled their bikes out of the rack after school as Will strolled over to join them, a peaceful look on his face.

"Hey! We were gonna plan our next campaign tonight. Wanna come over?" Mike leaned over his bike to ask Will, who was paying particular attention to undoing his bike lock.

"Uh, I don't know. I'll see how El is first. She doesn't like being alone right now."

Mike's grip tightened on his bike seat, his knuckles whitening. "What's the deal, Will? What's going on with you two?"

Will looked up with a surprised expression, meeting Mike's sad eyes. His lip's were pursed as if he were trying really hard to just hold it together for now. Dustin and Lucas looked awkwardly between the pair, curious to hear Will's answer too.

"Come on, Mike. You know it isn't like that. She's just pretty fragile." Will twisted his bike lock in his hands as he spoke calmly to Mike, directing his gaze at the ground.

"Well yeah, I would know. I am after all the one that gave her a bed, gave her food, taught her words, protected her -" Mike's hands were gesturing from left to right as he continued listing things off, his voice getting faster and faster.

Lucas placed his hand on Mike's shoulder to silence him. "We know, man. We all know."

Mike got on to his bike and pushed backwards, ready to set off, when he turned back to Will with a glazed look over his eyes.

"Why doesn't she want to see me?"

But Will couldn't give him an answer. He had promised El, and she held promises with a high regard thanks to Mike.

That night, Lucas, Dustin and Mike all sat in his basement on the small couch as they watched Star Wars, munching on some popcorn that they were passing between them. Mike hadn't said much all evening. He didn't really want to do anything after his conversation with Will. He just felt... pushed out.

"Look, Mike. You can't be mopey about it forever. It's only been a few weeks" Dustin said to cut the silence.

Mike leaned forward, his elbows on his knees as he covered his face with his hands. "But she should want to see me, shouldn't she? I just... I thought..."

The boys fell silent again, Lucas and Dustin exchanging worried glances. Mike turned to face them both, throwing his hands out to the sides. "I thought we were gonna go to the Snow Ball together, you know?"

Dustin and Lucas knew there was nothing they could really say to comfort their friend. He was, essentially, heartbroken.

Mike sprung up to his feet as he grabbed his jacket from the bottom of the stairs, pulling it on roughly.

"Where are you going?" Lucas stood up slowly, already knowing the answer.

"I'm going to see her. I need to know." Mike was rushing around the room, grabbing things and shoving them in to his backpack. One of his jumpers, the blanket from El's fort (that was still assembled)... "Are you two coming, or what?"

The boys dumped their bikes on the Byer's front yard, Mike leading the way as he bounded up the few steps and knocked impatiently. Jonathan answered the door, and with a sigh, stepped aside to let them in. They entered in to the kitchen where Will was dumping his plate in to the bubble-filled sink. He turned with an alarmed look on his face when he saw them.

Mike clutched on to his backpack straps tightly as he gathered his resolve. "I want to see her."

Will leaned against the kitchen counter, looking at Lucas and Dustin for help. "Mike, you know I - "

"I know, but can you please just go ask her. Please." Mike's eyes widened as he said the last please, trying to pursuade him. Will felt so guilty. Mike had been one of his best friends for as long as he could remember, and if it were any other situation then his loyalty would always lie with him... But this was different. Just as Will was about to string out a long line of apologies, he saw a small figure appear in the doorway.

Mike felt the small tug on his arm before he realised she had entered the room.

"Mike."

He spun quickly and captured her hand in his, scared to let go. The familiar feeling of happiness rolled through him, just from that one word.

"El." Her mouth curved up in to a small smile as her name formed on his lips.