Mike and Eleven hid under the staircase until the crowd of people returned. They hid themselves among the masses and went their separate ways back to class.

He got into class with the rest. Dustin turned to look at Mike. "Dude, where were you?"

"Shhh." I was calling Will's house when the alarm rang."

"Did you talk to him? What's up?"

"He said he was fine. But that was all I got before the bell rang."

"Well, you're lucky Mr. Duffield is half way to senile or you would have been toast."

Mr. Duffield called to everyone, "Settle down, now, settle down. That was a fun little jaunt but it's back to isosceles. Get out your textbooks."

By the end of the day, nearly everyone had figured out it wasn't a normal drill and was wondering who had pulled the fire alarm. Thankfully, a junior had used the opportunity to skip school and the blame/ credit/ detention was given to him.

One of Angelina's friends had come up to the group and told them that Will was a coward and piece of shit.

Dustin replied, "Yeah, but he's our piece of shit. Tell Angelina, that we thought she was awesome and good luck in the auditions."

Her friend seemed deflated, like she had been ready for an argument. She turned around and walked back to her locker.

Lucas turned to the group, "So, should we head over to Will's house? Check up on him? Fill him in on the massive drama he missed?"

Mike looked unsteady. He had planned on seeing him but not the whole gang. How could he tell them without revealing everything?

Dustin nodded. "Sounds good to me."

Eleven spoke up, "Don't."

Max turned confused, "What?"

Lucas asked, "Why not?"

Mike looked wide eyed at Eleven. "No. No. She promised!"

Eleven said, "Mike and Will fought yesterday. They have to talk it out first."

"What did you guys fight over?" Lucas asked turned to Mike.

He still couldn't find the words. "It was private," he choked out.

Eleven spoke for him again. "Max said it already. He wasn't in love with Angelina. He wants…" She turned to Dustin and made a lightning gesture with her hands.

"Electricity?" He said.

She nodded.

Dustin shrugged sympathetically, "I can talk to him."

Eleven said, "Yes. But Mike has to talk first. Try to mend it."

They all agreed and Mike just stood in awe of his girlfriend.

Eleven rode on the back of Mike's bike. He had tried to tell her that he had to go alone, but he had been silenced with a look. Mike had also learned to pick his battles.

They pulled up to the house. Joyce was working late and Jonathan's car still wasn't there. Mike leaned his bike against the house and sat down on the porch steps. Eleven leaned her head on him and held his hand. Mike tried to search his mind for what to say to Will. They sat in the silence together.

By the last leg of the journey, they started to hit traffic. Jonathan tapped nervously on the steering wheel. Will understood that they would be in some unbelievable amount of deep shit if their mom came home and didn't see them there. Cutting school, driving 2 hours into a city in another state, and without a call or note. Jonathan realized now, a note could have really saved their asses. But he just kept his eye on the clock and praying they'd get home in time.

"She doesn't get off until 5 tonight, right?"

"Yeah."

"We still got an hour and a half…"

"Yup. Just keep your fingers crossed, buddy."

"Jonathan. I know I've said this a hundred times today, but seriously, thank you."

"I wouldn't trade this day. Even if she grounds me til graduation."

"I could… come out to her… maybe she wouldn't be so hard on you?"

"If you want to tell her, you can but-"

Will smirked, "Hey, if it saves your ass, sure." He took a deep breath, "You're sure she won't kick me out?"

Jonathan gave Will the death glare, "You are not serious are you? Are we talking about the woman who strung Christmas lights up around the entire house? Who literally crawled into hell to bring you back? You think the same woman would kick you out of the house for being gay?"

"God, when you say it like that."

Jonathan tussled his hair. Traffic began moving again and Jonathan clapped, and eased off the brake.

They turned down their road.

"4:29. We live another day." Jonathan joked.

Will smiled but when they pulled up the driveway, he saw Mike and Eleven sitting on the porch, waiting. His face fell.

"No." Will thought. He stared wide eyed as Jonathan put the car in park.

"Okay. Listen, Will. I am here for you no matter what happens." He gripped his brother's hand. "It'll be okay. He just wants to talk. Do you want me to stay out here with you?"

Will shook his head and slowly unbuckled his seatbelt. He took a deep breath and opened the door. Mike and Eleven stood up. Mike took a step forward but stopped himself. He didn't want Will to feel cornered or harassed. So he crossed his arms and waited for Will to come over to him.

"Hey, Will."

He walked over to Mike. "Mike, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I never should have done that."

"It's okay, Will. You were upset and wanted to be alone. I shouldn't have kept pushing."

"Pushing? Yeah. Calling me brave and shit. That- that was really pushy."

They were quiet.

Mike took a deep breath. "Will, you're still my best friend. I don't want to lose you. You've always been like the brother I never had. I don't know how I can make things okay again, but I'll try."

Will bit his lips, turning his face away. He didn't want to start crying again.

"Talk to me, Will. Stop keeping it in. I want to know."

His voice trembled, "I didn't really realize what it was until around the Snow Ball. I didn't want to dance with Angelina. I didn't want to dance with anyone. I just wanted to hang out with you. I remember wondering if that was weird." The floodgates had opened and suddenly words were pouring out of him. If felt terrifying but relieving. "Do you remember when we went on that double date? We were passing around the popcorn and our hands touched. But it felt different. I had been holding Angelina's hand for half the movie, but the one second of contact and I felt static. I knew it then. But I looked over at you and Eleven, and I saw how happy you were together." Will looked over at Eleven, "I never want to get between that. I just wish… " He sobbed, "I wish I could feel that kind of happiness but I don't know if I ever will." He collapsed onto the ground, covering his face.

He felt Mike's hand on his shoulder. There was hesitation there. "I'm making things worse, I should have said any of this."

Mike gently squeezed his shoulder, "Thank you for telling me. I know I said this earlier but it's still true: You are going to find someone that will love you. You deserve happiness. I know it's going to be tough. But I'm here."

Will felt a pair of arms wrap around him. "We're here for you, Will." Eleven said.

He leaned his head on her shoulder. Mike wrapped his arms around them both.

Will lifted his head, "Who else knows."

Mike replied, "Just Eleven. She's the only one that's going to know until you're ready to tell the others."

Will shook his head, "They'll hate me."

Mike replied, "We've been friends for over half our lives, way too long for them to care about that."

Will was about to retort but Eleven cut him off, "Boys can't like boys is a bullshit rule. Max hates bullshit rules. So do Lucas and Dustin."

"I don't think I'm ready, yet."

"You don't have to be," said Mike. "But we'll be here for you."

Will put an arm around Eleven and Mike. They were still his rock.