"El? Can I talk to you a few minutes?" Mrs. Wheeler asked her.

"Is there a problem Mrs. Wheeler?"

"I heard Mike shout out last night. I came down a few minutes later and you were in the sleeping bag with him."

El turned red but she explained why. And then she started a deep crying.

"Oh, what's wrong honey? Did you and Mike have a fight?" She pulled her into a hug.

"N-N-No…" Between her voice hitching uncontrollably and the amount of blubbering she was doing she managed to explain what she and Mike were doing to keep him safe.

"You really like him don't you, El?"

"I love him."

"El, you can't love him, you're too young."

El face darkened scaring her a little, and a light bulb brightened and burnt out.

"Yes I can Mrs. Wheeler. I knew you wouldn't understand."

Mrs. Wheeler was quiet for a minute. El continued to sniff.

"Ok then. I'm going to do something I wouldn't do for my own kids. I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt. You've already shown me that you are a responsible and caring young woman. If you say you love my son. Then you love my son, but El…"

"I know, he doesn't return my feelings... we're just friends. My love is unrequited."

"Unrequited?"

"Yes It means-"

"I know what it means El, you are a smart girl. You are pretty. There's no way Michael doesn't like you. Boys are awkward with girls at your age. You just have to give him time. Only, El, you have to be prepared for… if he doesn't like you that way."

She hung her head. "But he hugged me when he knew I was missing my dad." El tried not to whine.

"You're too young to have a broken heart El."

She nodded, defeated. What if Mike doesn't like me that way? I can't be without him… I just can't!

The grim realization was beginning to settle on her. A dark cloud overhead that settled like a lead weight in the pit of her stomach.

"I don't regret saying this El, but I'm ok with you sleeping beside Mike. He would never take advantage… I don't think he's ready for any of that anyway."

"Don't worry Mrs. Wheeler. Was there something else?"

"Yes, Mike's father and I are going to Chicago for a few days.A little shopping trip for Nancy and Holly. Will you two be ok on your own? The Sinclairs are close, and I know the police would be here in an instant if you called. We are leaving in an hour, are you able to cook for him? I'll leave you some money for pizza. Oh, and we finally got his prescription for a muscle relaxant and painkiller. I think he might have been a little loopy last night after taking that tablet I gave you."

"I will keep care of Mike. You don't need to worry. Yes, I can cook, I'll make sure he doesn't eat junk food."

"Well, a little is ok." Mrs. Wheeler smiled at her. "I wish you two were going out, this would be a perfect time for you to get all the kissing in you wanted."

El turned a deep shade of red, but she didn't smile.

"I'm sorry El, I didn't mean to bring all that up again."

"It's a missed opportunity, I know that Mrs. Wheeler."

XXXXX

Karen Wheeler watched El go back to the basement to update Mike on what was happening. She wiped a tear away. That poor girl, she is in deep. Mike would would be lucky if he ever found someone half as kind and pretty as El is. She knew that Mike had no self-confidence when it came to girls. He'd never had a girlfriend as far as she knew. He was doing a good job of pretending to be El's boyfriend… maybe there was hope for the two of them after all.

XXXXX

Is it possible to be this miserable and be in love at the same time? Yes! It's getting to the point where I can't even look at her. How does a girl get to be that pretty and be that kind to me? It's never happened before, she didn't even know me and she offered to help.

Except for the pain, last night was the best night of his life. El slept behind him, her arm around him.

His shoulder was throbbing a lot today. Every breath and a bolt of pain shot down his arm.

El came down the stairs, "Ok, swee-" She stopped herself.

When she looked into Mike's eyes and explained what what happening with his parents he was barely listening. He was lost in her eyes. He had to catch himself a few times to not lean forward and kiss her.

He couldn't stand it. A tear made its way down his cheek. "El… I."

"Are you in pain? Your mother gave me your prescription, you can take one now." She went to get him a glass of water.

"Are you going to sleep with me again tonight?" When they both realized what he'd said they blushed.

"I know what you mean Mike, I think it we need to keep you from rolling in your sleep. So I'll sleep behind you again."

You could put your arm around my waist again too, El. I wouldn't mind. Mike wondered if she would do that again.

XXXXX

"Wow El, that was really good. I wouldn't have thought to put chicken into Rice A Roni."

El looked to the ceiling, "It came to me from an alternate universe." She smiled at him. "You can go back to the basement if you want, I'll do the dishes and cleanup.

"I'm sorry I can't help. But I can stay and talk?"

She gave him an even bigger smile, "Ok."

El was very efficient with the cleanup, at one point Mike said to her. "You are going to make a nice wife one day, you can cook and clean." He seemed to stop himself short.

El couldn't look at him, her face felt hot, but mostly she didn't want to cry in front of him. I'll make you a good wife Mike. I promise.

"Mike? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure El, what's on your mind?"

"If I ever make you mad, just tell me ok? Don't let it bother you for more than ten seconds. I don't want you to be mad at me.

Mike seemed confused and frowned, but then he said, "Sure El. I don't think there's anything you could do that would make me get mad at you."

"What if your pretend girlfriend started kissing other boys?" El said trying to be mischievous. She regretted it immediately when she saw the crestfallen look on his face. "I'm kidding Mike, I wouldn't do that. I have to be your pretend girlfriend for… for a long time I think."

El was secretly thrilled. Wait a minute! If we can't stop pretending when his shoulder heals, Troy will just go back to bullying him. El thought she would start crying again. I may never get to be anything else but his pretend girlfriend. This sucks.

"Do you want to watch some TV before we go to bed?"

"No. I don't feel like it."

She again regretted it, he looked hurt. "Um, well, ok. Um, we can do whatever you want."

I want to kiss you a thousand times Mike. Can't you feel my love? Argh, this is driving me crazy. "Why don't you teach me the rules to your favourite game?"

"Teaching you the rules to my favourite game would put you into a coma through sheer boredom from listening."

"Try me. Ok? I'll let you know if I'm about to slip into a coma."

Mike giggled. "Ok, but if there was ever away for a pretend girlfriend to dump her pretend boyfriend, this is going to be it."

Not a chance, Mike. I love you too much.

El sat attentively at the little card table set up in the basement as Mike explained in excruciating detail the rules for a game called Dungeons and Dragons. She was fascinated by his story telling abilities as he gave examples. She was even able to interject the odd question that showed that she was not only paying attention but was remembering the details.

"So if I cast a spell, I can target myself? Why would I do that?"

"A healing spell. You can cast on party members of course, but you could also heal yourself."

"Oh, that makes sense! Those rules aren't that hard, there's just a lot of them."

"Dustin knows more of the game's lore than I do, but I'm the Dungeon Master and I know more of the rules. At least I think I do."

"Will I be able to play with everyone?"

Mike looked shocked. "Uh, sure! I mean, I don't think anyone else would have a problem with that. It would be nice to get a girl's perspective on the adventures."

"Max doesn't play does she?"

"No, she thinks it's juvenile." Mike didn't look all that disappointed.

"It's not juvenile to play games and have fun with your friends. Thanks for teaching me… and letting me play."

He gave her the most beautiful smile she'd ever seen on a boy. " I can't believe you're interested."

"I want to be a spellcaster… that was a Mage right?"

"You would be the perfect Mage."

"Mike I hate to be your mother, but it's time for you to go to bed."

"Aww, El, just a few more minutes?" Mike pretended to whine and El started to giggle. They both ended up giggling until they were exhausted.

"You are fun to be with El Hopper."

"You are fun to be with too, Mike Wheeler."

They both got into their pajamas and El scooted up close to Mike. To prevent him from rolling over onto his shoulder of course.

She gave him a peck on the cheek, but made the excuse, "A kiss on the cheek for my pretend sweetie."

You are my real sweetie Mike. You just don't know it yet.