Mike enjoyed a movie with his friends and they were heading toward the food court to get something to eat. The others were talking about what food they should get while Mike absentmindedly was looking at the crowd in the food court. His eyes lingered on a table that Aidan was at and his eyes furrowed. He was with El and in fact they were on a date. Will noticed this and he tried to get Mike on line with them to get food when the worst for Mike happened. El leaned in and was kissing Aidan softly. He stormed to their table where he was shouting,

"Hey! That's my girlfriend! Get your lips off of her!" Mike shouted.

Five pulled away and glared at Mike. The nerve of him, at least let El enjoy her day. He did end their kiss and that was very rude of Mike to do.

" Butt out Mike, I'm on a date here!" Five scoffed angrily.

"A date with El. She's off limits to you! You don't get to just come here and take her, she's too special!" Mike argued.

Did Mike really think he was stupid. Powers aside, El was truly a sweet girl and he loved the kindness in El's heart despite the shit she's been through. He cared about her a lot, something Mike wasn't able to do if he lied to her. For him to explain how she was special when Mike didn't treat her as such was hypocritical.

"Yea I am actually well aware of that; she is special and you messed up. You have no right complaining now. She dumped you and you have to deal with that." Five said in an annoyed tone of voice.

Mike looked at Five's face and shook his head. He couldn't let it go despite the time that passed. El and him were meant to be since they met in the woods on that cold and raining night. It couldn't just end like this. He wanted a shot to get her back.

"I know I made mistakes and was awful, but El deserves better than you. When exactly are you leaving? It doesn't seem right to date someone only to leave without warning. " Mike asked.

"Wow, are we going there? She knows I'm figuring out a way home and I'm not lying to her about that at all. If I do decide to leave, El will know and I won't ditch her without a word. Getting off me, you're a sore loser Mike. You mess up and El dumps you, so you lash out at me because I wanted to date her. You screwed up, get over it. Besides its El decision. I didn't force her at all." Five expressed.

El glared at Mike and nodded in agreement.

" I wanted to go on a date with Aidan. He is nice, treats me well and doesn't lie. Go away Mike. Just go away." El said harshly.

Doesn't lie huh…that's it Mike thought with a light smirk.

"Doesn't lie huh…so how was her kiss? Must have been amazing for you, seeing how you're homeschooled and all. Your first kiss?" Mike asked.

Five gritted his teeth since he knew what the asshole was doing. He wanted to share his experience openly and Five knew the truth of just how the kiss made him feel inside. He didn't want to embarrass El in front of Mike.

" I don't owe you any explanation Mike, I don't kiss and tell. Yes, I was homeschooled, but at least my old man taught me how to treat women. Now you heard El you're ruining our date so go away or I'll make you leave." Five scoffed

Mike frowned a bit but still didn't want to give up just yet.

"So you have kissed a girl before? Was it your own sister? Is that how you practiced?" Mike taunted.

Five lost his temper and punched Mike hard in the face. How the fucking hell did he think he would do that to Vanya or Allison, his dear sisters Five thought angrily. They were his family and he would never force himself on them; it would be gross and wrong to ever feel that way for them. He had some nerve. Five punched Mike a few more times until blood started to spew from his nose and his lip was a bit busted. He shook his hand from the slight pain and leered at Mike.

" You got a bit of a mouth on you don't ya Mike? Stop sticking your nose into things you don't know just cause El chose to leave you. You're not the center of her universe. Talk about my sisters like that again and I will kick your ass harder." Five warned.

Mike winced and groaned in pain. He felt his nose bleeding and he hissed in pain.

"You actually punched me? You really punched me, multiple times. Wow you must have such a temper. So it must be true, gross thing to do man." he expressed.

By this time, Will, Lucas, and Dustin realized Mike wasn't with them and found him. They were startled by the blood; well Lucas was, Dustin was shocked, and Will knew Mike was being an ass and probably insulted Five's sisters in some way. Will knew more than anyone about Five's family and Five loathed how messed up Allison and Luther were because of lack of seeing other people. Will needed Mike to get out of here since this wasn't worth it and wanted both Mike and Five to calm down.

"Mike come on, enough." Will expressed as he didn't want Mike to get his ass kicked.

Five would kick his ass no question and Will couldn't even blame him.

" I would not kiss my own sister Mike, the fact you think that shows how narrow minded you are as a person. I do have a temper with people who are idiots and you clearly are one. " Five spat angrily.

" Mike, leave us alone! Please!" El shouted glaring at Mike.

Mike sniffled a bit and ran outside the mall. He couldn't help but feel so upset and heartbroken that El had moved on and to such a jerk too. Lucas, Dustin, and Will followed after him with napkins for his bloody nose and busted lip.

"How could El like someone like that? I treated her nothing but nicely. Hop made me lie. I never wanted to." Mike slightly sobbed as he put tissues on his nose.

Dustin sighed as he placed a tissue on Mike's lip.

"Yes well you lying is what got you dumped Mike. You know she hates that." Dustin said.

"We don't know about Aidan. He probably did get practice from his sisters. Probably grew up with freaks if they hardly left their homes." Mike spat as he took care of his nose.

Will was getting pissed and Mike would know about Five if he wasn't a jerk about him. If the person wasn't El, he had trouble letting new people in their party. First it was Max and now Five. Will was tired of this drama and he was going to stick up for his friend.

" Mike what the hell is wrong with you jeez! Why the hell would you say that about his family? You don't know him and that was a very low blow! You're just being a jerk for no real reason other than Aidan wanting to be friends with me and dating El. He's honestly a good guy and you're the asshole here not him!" Will shouted.

Mike flinched a bit and was in disbelief.

"Really Will, you're always taking his side! He's not perfect and something is off with him, like majorly off!" Mike exclaimed while he winced in pain.

" You're the only one who seems to think so. Just because El chose to go on a date with him and I'm trying to have more friends you have this issue! Who was it that said things won't be the same as they used to be and now that they aren't you can't handle it! I want Aidan as a friend and you need to deal with the fact we're all changing and you should grow up." Will scoffed.

Dustin could see Will was shaking and his lip was trembling furiously.

"Will I understand you pissed, calm down, getting angry clearly won't get us anywhere." Dustin expressed, trying to calm Will down.

"Yes Will, we don't want our party to fracture. We've dealt with much more horrible shit than this. We shouldn't let some random kid ruin the friendship we have." Lucas stated calmly.

Mike took deep breaths and finally nodded in agreement. Will was right, no wonder they all gave him the moniker Will the Wise. He was just upset that most people were liking and siding with Aidan. He was losing people he cared for, people who mattered, to some random kid that they all blindly trust and that upsets him. He felt pain welling in his chest and he sniffled as he held the tissue to his nose.

"It's just…it seems like people are picking him over me. El and now you Will, and I know Dustin and Max find him cool…Am I really losing everything because of that stuck up prick. It's not fair." Mike expressed in a melancholy tone.

Will rolled his eyes.

" Mike you're being an arrogant asshole that's why. Aidan never did anything to you; you just hate him for no real reason. I wanted to make friends with him, El dumped you so she is well within her right to go on date with someone else. You messed up because you're jealous that I'm making new friends and El is trying to expand her life beyond all of us. It doesn't mean we care less about you but we have the right to do what we want. Mike, you can't confine us to a small party. Even Dustin has a girlfriend and she lives in another state. Things change, people change and you didn't realize that until El dumped you." Will said in a softer tone.

Mike sighed and he saw Five and El exiting the mall together, arms locked together and clearly enjoying themselves. He decided it wasn't worth it and to get his bike to go home, on his own if that was the case. He wouldn't blame the others for not wanting to hang with him after this so he was getting used to the changes.

"Uh guys…El's not going to the bus terminal." Lucas commented.

Sure enough, Five and El were going the opposite way and that made Mike worry. Mike noticed Five had this playful, mischievous glint in his eye that made his heart drop.

"Where in the hell is he taking her? She needs to be back at Hop's but they won't make it without the bus." Mike pondered with a growing feeling in his gut.

Dustin and Will knew the reason but they didn't want to rat out Five's abilities yet since clearly Mike wanted any reason to hate him.

" Maybe they are going for a walk in fresh air Mike, geez paranoid much?" Dustin asked.

"Yeah Dustin but they are going out of their way, like on a very sketchy path. Something's not right." Lucas agreed.

"Thank you. Aidan is going to pull something; something bad to El. I know she has powers but we need to save her. She's not safe with him."

" Five is not an idiot Mike, besides, he will get her home on time! Last time they hung out El was back on time." Will said.

Lucas and Mike's eyes widen. Will then realized what he said and mentally cussed himself. He really didn't mean to slip that out he thought as he clammed up.

"Will, his name was supposed to be a secret." Dustin whispered.

"I know, I know…this is bad." Will whispered back as gears were turning in Mike's head.

"Wait…Five? What do you mean Five? Is that…is that his actual name? You lied to us about that?" Mike asked.

Lucas looked a bit worried and questioned,

"Is he like a test subject or a mental patient…shit no wonder he seems a bit weird."

"Weird nothing, he's sick and he probably will hurt El! Come on."

Mike made sure to follow the pair and wondered what was going on.

El meanwhile stroked Five's arm and looked softly at him.

"So sorry about Mike but I kind of didn't like that you punched him. He was a jerk but he didn't need to get hurt. " El spoke softly.

Five sighed and nodded.

" I know, I just got angry when he said that about my family. He doesn't even know them. He is bitter because you dumped him and now you chose to go on dates with me." Five explained

El nodded but also, she sighed a bit. She stroked her arm since seeing Mike kind of stirred something in her. It was almost like she did really miss him and that it hurt her a tad to have been seen with Five by him. Even when Five punched him El didn't like seeing Mike hurt even if it was 'justified' as Five would say. She truly liked Five but she couldn't get Mike out of her head and heart.

"I know, my choice. You always value my choice…you're too good for me Five and I worry I'm going to hurt you. You don't deserve me." El mentioned weakly.

Five glanced at El and could see her eyes were avoiding his gaze.

"What are you talking about?" Five asked concerned

El shook her head and forced a smile.

"We can talk about it when we're close to home. Take us home Five…"

Her voice trailed off and saw Mike with the other boys.

"M-Mike?" El spoke in equal parts shock and annoyance.

"E-El! Get away from him!" Mike expressed, concerned for El's safety.

Before Mike can say anymore, Five and El disappeared in a flash of blue light with a sounding whoosh. Lucas and Mike were panicking since they were just gone.

" What the hell? Where did they go?" Lucas asked his mouth open in shock

Mike was slightly hyperventilating as El was just gone. He paced a bit in placed and kept saying,

"Holy shit, holy shit! Where did he take her?! God no El!"

Will sighed since he knew where Five took El and really it shouldn't be that much of a scary mystery.

"He just took her back home; it was quicker than taking a bus." Will said halfheartedly.

Mike wasn't amused and instead shot a slight hurtful glare at Will.

"You knew Aidan…sorry 'Five' was this superpowered prick. No wonder he seems so entitled. El was never like this with her powers." Mike spoke, clearly on edge

"Five's not really like her or from here so points moot on both counts." Dustin expressed calmly.

"Dustin." Will whispered, worried that they would be scared more of Five if he's a time traveler.

"You knew about this too, what the hell? Why didn't you tell us?" Lucas asked, getting annoyed that he too was left out of their loop.

"Because I swore to Will and Five not to say anything. Trust me, I was just as spooked when Five took Will home this way. But it's merely a spatial jump and not a temporal jump like he did to get here…."

Will jabbed Dustin in the ribs since now Mike and Lucas were going to be on their case now about Five.

Mike's eyes sure enough widened and he exclaimed,

"Temporal….meaning time travel!? He's not even from this decade!? What the actual hell guys, you two knew and didn't share this with us!"

Will sighed looking at Dustin and knew they had to explain.

" Yeah…Five jumped through time and got stuck here. He couldn't go home even if he wanted to. It's very complicated process apparently. He and his family got adopted by some rich guy who wanted to exploit his and his siblings' powers to make some hero team, but Five wanted to prove his old man wrong and attempted time travel, before he was ready. He ran away, got stuck here, and I am letting him stay with me." Will explained.

"So basically, not so much different from what you did with El. Only difference is that Five didn't escape some lab but a home that didn't really care for him. Plus, it's nice Will had his own 'finding a super powered kid' moment since…well he was in Upside Down when we all met El. Kind of sweet and poetic if you think about it." Dustin added with a light smile.

Mike scoffed a bit at first and crossed his arms.

"Unlike with El though, Five was better off than she was." Mike expressed.

"No he really wasn't Mike. Having a wealthy family doesn't mean you're better off. His father didn't care about him or his siblings, he didn't even bother giving them names or go looking for Five when he went missing. Five was used as a weapon and tool for his father's needs. He wasn't happier, he was miserable almost all the time." Will said

"Plus, he made them all fight each other for sport and never really treated them much like kids. In some ways he and El were similar." Dustin shared.

Mike sighed.

"No wonder El likes him; they have similar pasts or at least both have powers they can share and bond over. Maybe Five's better for her."

"They went on three dates Mike, they are not getting married. Lucas assured.

"I know but…"

Mike shouted in anger and confusion. He really didn't want to like Five but really Five's story was sad and like El's. In actuality he really shouldn't hate him so much but he couldn't help it. He just frustrated him.

"I really don't want to like Five, I really really don't."

Dustin shook his head.

"Like it or not Mike, Five's friends with most of us already. You're going to have to accept that Five's a new addition to our party." Dustin shared.

"We just can't add people like that!" Mike exclaimed

"Really Mike, now we want to reinforce that? When El came along you were all in love and didn't want to hear it, then Max came and you had an issue with her even though everyone else was fine. So, I think debating about new people joining us went out the window." Lucas explained.

Mike sighed since Lucas did have a point.

"If you really think El's in trouble, just see her and talk to her. Apologize even. You've been pretty jerkish lately and maybe apologizing and being open can help." Dustin expressed.

Mike looked at Will and wondered something. Five had been living with Will for a month now and he wondered how they got a lot. Mike knew Will super well and something about this shy and sensitive kid with Five seemed like an odd mesh.

"So you and Five get along, like really well?" he questioned.

"Yea we do. He likes my art and he likes that my family actually acts like a family. He listens to what I have to say and even learned how to play D&D to understand why I enjoy it so much. He's funny, kind, sweet, and I really enjoy hanging out with him. He has no problem with making new friends, but it's not just up to him you know." Will shared with a smile.

Mike sighed.

"I guess but I do want to check on El alone to see if Five truly brought her home. I still worry about her, just like I'd be worried if he took any of you."


"You're going to have to explain to Mike and Lucas about what you did sometime." El said as they walked in the woods.

Yet another slip up, he's been doing that a lot he'd thought. It wasn't like he was never going to tell them but now he had to share his story with them too. He didn't like it but he knew El was right.

"Yea I will, I know I should. Mike has been a prick today so I don't really want to talk to him quite yet. He pissed me off royally today and if I see him now, it will be more trouble." Five said.

Things grew quiet and Five had something on his mind, something he needed to discuss with El. Her words before he blipped them concerned him and he needed to talk to her about their kiss. El saw Five was nervous about something and not just about Mike seeing his powers. She took his hand and asked,

"Are you okay?" Five smiled

"Yea I am ok, but I have to tell you something, it probably won't be something you like but I am not going to lie to you either. You deserve to know the truth from me." Five said

"Okay, sure. What's wrong?" El questioned with a tilted head.

Five rubbed back off his neck, sighing deeply as he gazed in her brown eyes.

" Well, Mike asked this earlier but he was an ass about it so I didn't want to give him any more stupid stuff to say. I'm going to tell you how our kiss was. Um.. you see…when we kissed it was nice…It was my first kiss and it was very nice. It was soft, sweet, and you know how to kiss really well. However even though it was nice it did not have that…that.."

Five didn't know how to finish his statement. Something was missing but he couldn't figure out what.

El was trying to understand and she asked,

"Like…sparks? Like it felt really nice to kiss but no…power?"

"Yea, it was a nice kiss and no I never kissed any of my siblings... it was just lacking something I think a kiss should have. I'm sorry." Five admitted sheepishly and with a light frown.

El breathed a small sigh of relief and gave Five a hug. She had been so worried about hurting Five since he understood her and was so kind but he was thinking and feeling the same way. El didn't feel the same sparks when she kissed Mike. She was worried about hurting Five since she was the first girl he dated and he was so wonderful to her. However, both of them felt the same way; the kiss was nice but it wasn't enough for them to be more than just friends. Five embraced her tenderly and felt relieved since El was taking this really well. He didn't want to break her heart.

"I understand…the kiss felt the same to me too…sorry but no sparks." she said weakly.

Five chuckled softly and pulled away, stroking her cheek and smiled warmly at her.

" We can still be friends and hang out; if you want." Five said.

He felt a little sad but also relieved. El was a sweet and kind girl, and she was pretty, he just did not feel that strong attraction to her. The was a connection and he loved her company, but it wasn't going to be a romantic one.

"I really want us to be friends Five, really good friends. You understand my pain and really care for me. I just didn't want to lose you or have us be weird." El spoke as she pulled away.

"I get that, no worries. We are good and we can still be very good friends." Five assured

El smiled as they walked to her cabin.

"You're hanging out with Will later, right? At the arcade?" El asked.

"He and I will hang out to see if we can beat Max's score. It is so much fun to play with him and just enjoy the many video games. If my old man saw me he would say 'this is not time for foolish games, you have greater purpose Number Five. Stop with those silly games.'" Five expressed in mocking tone.

El giggled at that and smiled lightly at him. She liked that he and Will were very close. Will also looked happier and El wanted her friends happy. Like her, Five didn't need to be a weapon or hero, but just someone doing good and living a good life.

"Well maybe your purpose is to just be you. Hang out and make friends, just have fun. You're more than a number." she spoke sweetly.

" You and I agree on this at least. I'm beginning to see this is a nice life. Simple but maybe that's all I ever wanted." Five expressed calmly.

"I'll call you and Will later. Get home safe." El said with a light giggle at the end.

"Thanks, see you next time we hang out" Five said and blipped out to the Byer's home.


Mike rode his bike like mad to get to Hop's cabin. He knocked on the door and rang the doorbell to see if El was there. Despite what Dustin and Will said about Five, he unsettled him a lot more now.

"El! Come on, it's me Mike! Please answer the door!" he begged.

El was in no mood for Mike acting like a jerk again and he really messed things up. She put the volume on her tv slightly higher to try and drown out his knocking. The knocking persisted and El sighed at what Mike was doing.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry for a lot of shit. I just didn't want Hop to be mad at me for seeing you a lot apparently so I lied. Also about Aidan or Five, whatever we are calling him, I'm sorry. It just…hurts me to see that you moved on when I still cared about you so much. I hope you're home or I'm thinking Five did something." Mike apologized.

El heard him despite the tv and did feel a bit fuzzy inside. She was a bit happy he tried at least. She got up and opened the door. Her face was neutral and deep down she missed seeing Mike. However, he needed to listen to her.

" We went on dates but we didn't feel anything when we kissed. He is still my friend since he understands me. No matter what Mike, Five and I are going to be good friends." El spoke with a firm softness.

Mike didn't like that El and Five were going to be friends but he didn't want to argue with El right now. He sighed however and asked,

"So…he takes you and Will home with his powers. Must be a bit cool but he scared the crap of me when he took you. I worried he was going to hurt you."

" It was a bit scary when he did it at first, since that's how he got here, but he explained small jumps are easier than the big jump he made." El said

"Yeah I know, Will and Dustin told me. I hate to say this but…how Five met Will was kind of how we met. I haven't been good to you or Will lately but I want us to be back at least to being…well…you know…friends." Mike stammered since he was worried El wasn't going to accept and still be mad. He wanted her as a girlfriend again but he would take anything at this point.

El sighed and looked at the bruised nose Mike had. He suffered almost enough El thought and she did miss hanging out with him despite loving hanging out with Max and Five.

" I am still not happy with you and how you acted, but I will think about it, but you have to do me a favor." El said

Mike really didn't like where this was going and asked,

"Sure, anything and I will do it for you El."

"You have to be nice to Five…make truce?" El said, since some words were unfamiliar but she understood if Hop explained it.

Mike motioned his face.

"Five punched me and I have to apologize to him?" Mike expressed bitterly.

"Five will apologize but you have to apologize too. You have to com pro mise" El said, saying compromise in a fragmented way.

Mike groaned a bit but he knew El and Wil were going to be on his ass about this. He was going to be in his life whether he wanted to or not. At least maybe he and El could get back together in due time if he does this.

"Fine…I will compromise. I will have all of us over and I will make up with the asshole. I swear he better apologize." Mike reluctantly stated in defeat

"Mike, Five is a friend, he is not used to being around other people except his family. You need to be…slow and steady with him." El expressed.

"Okay, okay I get it. I will invite him over along with everyone so we can be 'one big happy party'" Mike said weakly.

El smiled and hugged Mike gently.

"Thank you, Mike. This will make me…happy."


Will was finishing up a drawing when Five blipped into his room. He didn't get startled anymore by him and it was oddly becoming normal.

"Hey…how did the date go aside from Mike." Will asked.

" It went well, mostly. El is a sweet girl and I like talking to her and hanging out with her. We kissed but it wasn't what I hoped." Five said

"O-Oh? What happened?" Will asked.

"Well it was nice, for my first kiss, but I didn't feel that…spark I guess. El didn't feel it either, but we agreed to still be friends." Five said.

Will smiled lightly. It sucked that El and Five wouldn't be boyfriend and girlfriend but Will oddly couldn't help but be relieved Five wasn't going to be with El romantically. He had dealt with that enough with Mike and El so this was a huge relief that Five was going to be free.

"That's good. No dumping, just a mutual end. Speaking of friends though, you kind of have to be upfront with Mike and Lucas now." Will expressed with a slight nervousness to his face.

"About what…Oh yea I did blip out in front of them…shit. Not how I wanted them to know in all honestly. "Five expressed.

"Yeah and I slipped your name out by accident…I'm sorry but Mike was just really being mean and harsh and you matter a lot to me…don't be mad."

Five sighed since this was not ideal, but given the day they had and Five's screw up, he couldn't really blame Will for the Freudian slip.

" Well, it's not your fault. I am the one that used my power in front of your friends, was bound to come out eventually."

Will nodded and he looked over Five warmly. He wanted Five to be a part of their party and maybe he could, but he had to make amends with Mike.

"Very true. But they aren't going to tell I promise. They take care of El so they will keep your secret too. Actually, I was thinking…maybe you should be like in our party. Not just have you be with me, El, and Max but all of us. We want to make you feel included." Will spoke with a faint smile.

"That's a nice thought Will, but I don't think Mike will agree. He hates me." Five said with a chuckle.

"Hate's a strong word. He didn't like Max with a burning passion last year and now…okay a little rough because of the break up with El but it's not that horrible. You will need to apologize for punching him despite what he said about your sisters being out of line. He has no idea there's actually a problem with incest in your family that's not you."

"Yea but I probably should mention that either… I know I should apologize, sorry its new concept of sorts." Five admitted.

"I bet, you're used to doing what you like and not giving a…" Will blushed a bit since he didn't swear.

"Um not used to being apologetic because you were often right or thought you were." Will finished.

"Not so much. Reginald had this concept that apology was a sign of weakness more often than not…Then again, he had screwed up views so I really shouldn't take lessons from him." he chuckled

Will smiled and did take a peek at Five's hand where he punched Mike, taking it in his hand to examine it. There was a light little graze on his knuckle but they would heal in no time.

"He's not the first person you punched, was it?" he asked.

Five felt a bit racing of his pulse for some odd reason when Will held his hand. I mean it was good Will cared but what was this feeling Five wondered, this warm fluttering feeling.

"I fought my siblings except Vanya and I fought bad guys so I know how to throw a punch or two." Five shared.

Will chuckled lightly and traced his finger over the wound.

"I get bullied so much, it only got worse this year. It frustrates me that they always pick on me and that I can't do much about it."

Five did think for a minute and maybe perhaps Will should learn how to protect himself. Bullies were always going to give him a hard time and it could do Will some good. Most people would think Will would be very scrawny but he could be very agile with the right training.

"Want me to teach you how to fight or would you rather I fight them myself." Five offered with a smug smirk.

Will was his best friend and no way he would let Will be bullied by some assholes. Will smiled as he let go of Five's hand, laughing a bit with a light blush. Five was always going to have the slight hero mindset but it felt nice to hear that Five was going to have his back.

"Maybe a bit of both. Don't want to rely on you too much but it's nice you want to protect me. Perhaps a little self-defense could help." Will answered.

"We can start whenever you like, I will teach you some basics, and I promise not to use my power so it will be fair training."

Will smiled and nodded.

"I will be happy once there's a truce between you and Mike. That way we can all hang out together. Wishful thinking you'd be best friends with everyone but at least you will be in a better group."

"Well me and Mike won't best friends. Not likely at all, but I promise to be civil and nice to him. Now let's get going. I want to see if we can maybe beat Max's score on Dig Dug. "Five expressed with a chuckle.

Will was a good kid; well, he was a kid too but it was nice to have a normal friend who wanted everyone to get along. He didn't know if Mike will really make a truce, but he will see. Anything to keep the peace and Will needed that. Five wasn't going to have Will pick between him and Mike so a truce was inevitable.


I probably upset some readers with Five and El remaining friends. Trust me, I was going back and forth between making this the romantic ship or have this slow burn go on much longer with another pair in this story. Originally El and Five were going to be the romantic couple but then I had this strange dream that shaped the direction this story was going. Then once I really thought about and fleshed it out in my head, I am happy with who Five is ultimately going to be with. The ship might be shocking unless some have already picked up the nuisances but this is still a story I love. More will come at a steady pace.