Chapter 4
Mike rested on his back, in his bed, staring at the ceiling. He had not slept since he returned home from Will's house. A wave of sadness hit him, as he glanced over at the digital alarm clock. 5:28 AM. Will leaves for Indiana today. Mike's feelings were desperate; he needed to see Will before he drove off to his new life. New life, Mike winced at the thought. What about Mikes life? He needed Will in his life, in more ways than one.
But, it wasn't just Will he needed; he also didn't want to lose El. The whole party was leaving her, and she was still stuck at the cabin with Hopper; stuck in boring old Hawkins. Mike could have asked her to move with him. There were plenty of community colleges near his new school. Why didn't he ask her months ago? Was it because of Hopper? Just the thought of Hopper chopping down those trees with one strike, made Mike's bottom fall out. Imagine if Mike told Hopper that he wanted El to move out of state, so they can play house. Hopper would probably replace the tree with Mike's….well you know.
Frustrated, Mike picked up his supercom and turned it to channel six. "Dustin, do you copy?"
Static.
"Dustin, it's Mike. Do you copy? Over."
Static.
"Come on, Dustin. Answer! I need to talk to you! Over."
Then, he heard a break in the static.
"Jesus, Mike!" Dustin yelled, "Do you know what time it is? Over."
"What time are you and Will leaving again?", Mike asked anxiously.
"Uh, I think Will wants to be on the road by 7:30. Are you coming to see us off?"
After the kiss a few nights ago, Mike didn't think Will wanted to see him. He was afraid that Will was mad or embarrassed. Did Will kiss him, just to shut him up or did the kiss mean more? Mike didn't care, he had to see Will.
"Yep. I'll be there. Over and out," Mike didn't give Dustin time to respond, when he shut off the super com.
Mike hurried to the bathroom to shower and brush his teeth. He tried to be as quiet as possible, as his family was still asleep. He then put on a fresh change of clothes, fixed his moppy head of curls, and tip-toed downstairs, to grab a bagel. He sneaked down to the basement, to go out the basement door to his car, as to not disturb the others.
Mike cranked up his car and check his watch: 6:15 AM. Plenty of time to talk to Will. On the drive to Wills house, Phil Collins, "A Groovy Kind of Love" played softly on the radio. Mike wasn't much of a Phil Collins fan, but he listened to the lyrics. Surprisingly, Mike started tearing up as the song triggered an image of a smiling Will, in his brain. It was like fate was pushing him towards Will. He couldn't remember the last time he felt this way about El, although he still felt warm tingles with her, too. Mike's head and heart were playing internal tug of war with a rope braided by his emotions.
Mike pulled into the Byers driveway and saw the lights were on inside. He shut off the engine, got out of the car, walked to the front door, then hesitated. What if Will didn't want to see him? Mike's heart sank to his stomach. Just then, the front door flew open and there stood Will, in jeans, sneakers, and a blue t-shirt.
"Mike!", Will gasped, stepped outside and shut the front door, "what are you doing here?"
"How did you know it was me, and not some intruder?" Mike said jokingly.
Will blushed, "I saw headlights, looked out my window and saw your car."
Mike shifted back and forth on his heels, hand shoved in his pockets. "I wanted to see you before you left. We haven't spoken since…since…"
"Our kiss?" Will whispered.
"Yeah," Mike responded, "are you mad at me? D-do you want me to leave?"
Will stood there and stared at Mike for a few moments. "No, Mike. You can stay."
They both stood there in silence. Will wanted to say something first but waited for Mike. You're in control, Will reminded himself. Mike took a step closer to Will.
"Will," Mike began, "I don't want for us to go to separate schools, not speaking to each other regarding what happened. You are my best friend. I care deeply for you."
Will stood there, his outer expression unchanged, but his insides were on fire.
"The kiss," Mike paused, "I-I liked it."
Will's eyes got big. His heart was doing a happy dance in his chest. Mike started blushing and took Will's shoulders with his hands.
"My heart is torn," Mike continued. "I have strong feelings for El, but I also have strong feelings for you. I'm a hopeless mess and I don't know what to do."
Before Will could say anything, Mike took Will's face in his hands and surged forward, taking in Wills soft lips into his own. The kiss started soft and sweet, then Will snaked his arms around Mike's waist and opened the kiss. Mike sucked in Wills bottom lip, which set Will over the edge. The kiss turned passionate, and after a few minutes, both separated to catch their breath. Will stared at Mike's swollen lips and melted in his embrace.
"I have an idea," Will said softly.
"Hmm?" Mike hummed, still dazed from their kiss.
"Let's both remain focused on our respective fall semesters. We will continue to keep talking long distance. When your school responds to my transfer request, no matter their decision, we will figure it out."
Mike looked at Will with a smile. He liked this idea.
"Besides," Will continued, "you need to figure out your feelings for El. You two are still dating."
Mike's heart immediately dropped to his stomach, again. It was becoming a common feeling these days. "Do you think El will find out that we've made out?"
"No," Will wait firmly, "I won't say anything, I hope you won't say anything either, especially to El."
Mike was pensive for a moment. If El found out about his feelings for Will, it would crush her. After all, Mike was still in love with El and he told her everything. Well…almost everything.
Mike kissed Will's forehead. "OK," he said, "it'll be out little secret." As Mike went in towards Will's lips, a set of footsteps came towards the front door.
"Quick! Disengage!" Will whispered. The two separated quickly as the front door opened. Joyce Byers stood there, startled but with a large grin.
"Mike!" she exclaimed, "I didn't know you were coming over. You are just in time for Will's going away breakfast." She gestured them inside and walked back towards the kitchen.
Mike entered first, followed by Will. Both slowed their pace to glance at each other. Mike gave will a flirtatious smile and Will smirked back. As they got closer to the kitchen, they attempted to contain themselves. Mike walked over to Joyce, to help her with cooking the bacon. Will sat down at the table, watching Mike cook. He was fascinated with everything about Mike: the way his midnight locks fall over his eyes, his lanky arms and legs, with a semi full chest, soft facial features, and his freckles. Boy, did Will love Mike's freckles. Will had a fantasy to connect all of Mike's freckles with something edible, that he could lick off later.
Will's fantasy about Mike was interrupted by Mike yelping, as some bacon grease splashed on index finger. Mike put it in his mouth, to soothe the burn, and hummed in discomfort. As Will watched Mike suck on his injured finger, his pants began to tent upward. Will got nervous and tried to breathe slowly, to calm himself down. He didn't want Joyce to notice, let alone Mike, as Mike would constantly remind him for the rest of time. By the time Mike and Joyce brought breakfast to the table, Will was ok.
Jonathan came out of his room, to join them. "Hey buddy!" Jonathan ruffled Will's hair. "You ready for the big adventure?"
"Yep!" Will answered excitedly, "I'm so ready to get there and unpack."
Joyce began to cry into her toast. "Oh, my boys are all grown up and moving away from home."
Jonathan reached for his mother's hand. "Mom, don't cry. It's not like we're never coming back. "
"I know," Joyce sobbed, "it's just with you going back to New York and Will now leaving, I'll officially be an empty-nester."
Will got up from his chair and went over to hug Joyce. Jonathan joined in on the hug. "I'm so proud of you two. All of you," she nodded at Mike. "Come here, Mike."
Mike got up to join in on the group hug. The hug was warm but rained upon by Joyce's tears. Mike was going to miss Joyce too, as she was like a second mother to him. A few moments later, the sentimental moment was broken up by Dustin barging through the front door.
"College time!" Dustin yelled while waving his hands frantically in air. He looked over at Joyce and the boys, "Aww, did I interrupt something?"
"Come here, Dustin," Joyce cried. The four boys held her tightly and didn't want to let go.
After breakfast, Will and Jonathan were cleaning up the dishes, while Joyce smoked a cigarette. Dustin and Mike were loading up Will's boxes and suitcase in Dustin's old VW minivan.
"I can't believe you're taking this hippie mobile to college with you" Mike said in disgust.
"What's wrong with the love van?" Dustin responded in defense, "You should know that this van is what the ladies dig. There's plenty of room, when one needs to take pit stop and-"
"Ok, ok! I get it!" Mike didn't let Dustin finish. He did not want to know what Dustin has done, or plans on doing, in that van. Joyce and Jonathan came out of the house, with Joyce smoking yet another cigarette.
"Hey Dustin," Jonathan called out, "let's do an inspection, to make sure the bumper rack in on properly."
"Where's Will?" Mike asked.
Joyce coughed, "He's inside looking for his wallet". Mike's ears perked up and he took a chance at the quick opportunity to be alone with Will.
"I'll go help him look," Mike ran inside quickly. He ran up the hall to Will's room and saw Will sitting on his bed, wallet in hand. He was rolling it around in his hands, looking downward. Mike bent down next to him and lifted Will's chin with his hand.
"Do you have everything?" Mike asked.
"Yea, I think so," Will said softly, still staring at his wallet. "I packed my supercom. I know we won't be able to communicate on it, but I just want a piece of the party." Will lifted his head up to look straight into Mike's eyes, which were warm and inviting.
"I'm taking mine, too." Mike also said softly, "so I will have a piece of you." Will's breath hitched in his throat. Mike took that as a signal that Will wanted the same thing Mike wanted.
Mike got up quickly, looked down the hall from Will's bedroom door. When he saw no one in the house, he rushed back to Will, kneeled forward and gave him a passionate kiss. Will and Mike knew they only had mere seconds before someone came back inside, so they had to hurry. Will pulled Mike towards him, on his bed. Mike fell on top of him and Will's hands roamed all over Mike's back. They opened the kiss and allowed their tongues to dance freely. Mike then grabbed a handful of Will's hair and gave it a gentle tug. Will hummed in Mike's mouth in response, trying not to be loud. Will was completely turned on, that it left him somewhat frustrated. If no one was home, and they had left later, then he and Mike would have plenty of time to fool around. Will had no idea how he was going to be able to concentrate at school, when all he was going to think about was the farewell make out session in his bed. However, it was time to break up the heat. They had to go back outside, without the risk of getting caught. Will then suddenly had an idea. He decided to add one more part to his master plan to pursue Mike.
Will kept his lips on Mike, and with fevered courage, he grabbed Mike's crotch…firmly.
Mike moaned in Will's mouth. It was the hottest sound Will ever heard out of Mike. Will then pulled away from the kiss and stared at Mike. Mike looked like a love sick puppy, his eyes begging for more. Will gave Mike a quick peck on the nose and said, "I have to go." Mike nodded and got up off Will. "I'm going to the bathroom," Will continued, "That will give you some time to calm down." He winked at Mike and walked to the bathroom.
Mike sat there, completely stunned by what just happened. For the first time in a while, it felt like there were fireworks about to burst out of his manhood. Mike closed Will's bedroom door and commenced with his release, solely thinking of Will and what would happen if Will grabbed him without his pants. Meanwhile, Will had settled in the bathroom, commencing with his own release, as well. Will's sudden burst of courage caused his heart to thump loudly. He felt great about being in control.
Both finished quickly and exited the rooms. Mike and Will met in the hallway and walked together to the front door. Joyce, Jonathan, and Dustin were at the minivan, trying to get the sliding door to close. Dustin looked defensive and Jonathan was already sweating.
"I'm telling you, it won't close!" Jonathan gasped loudly.
"Yes, it will," Dustin responded, "you have to force it."
"You're going to break the door!" Joyce exclaimed.
"No, we're not!" Dustin yelled.
Mike and Will started laughing and Mike went to go help. With one strong heave, Mike was able to get the door closed. Will couldn't believe how strong Mike was getting. Must have been from chopping down all of those trees, Will thought.
Mike quickly returned to Will and gave him a strong hug. "Call me when you get there," Mike whispered in Will's ear, "I'll miss you."
"I'll miss you, too", Will whispered back and pulled away from Mike. He gave Mike another wink and went to go hug Jonathan and Joyce. As the Byers clan were amid another sentimental group hug, Dustin ran over to Mike.
"See ya, buddy," Dustin pulled in to Mike for a hug. "Remember, party rules still apply."
"Yeah, I know," Mike said, "be safe!"
Dustin went around to the driver seat and Will climbed into the passenger seat. As Dustin cranked up the engine, Jonathan and Joyce went over to Mike as they watched the van pull away. Jonathan was holding his mother, as she wept into his shirt. Will looked out the window at Mike and gave him a small wave. Mike watched, holding back tears, as the van pulled out of the driveway.