At the Wheeler house, the morning wasn't any calmer.
Mike shoveled cereal into his mouth like he was in a speed-eating competition. Milk sloshed, spoon clinked, zero table manners in sight.
Nancy watched him with pure disgust.
"Disgusting."
Mike didn't even pause chewing. "Yeah? How was last night's studying?"
Nancy stiffened. "It was… fine."
Mike raised a brow, unimpressed. "Right. What class was that again? Human anatomy?"
The sarcasm landed hard. Nancy's spoon froze halfway to her mouth.
Her eyes narrowed. "What is that supposed to mean?"
Mike leaned back in his chair, smirking.
"Oh, nothing. Just wondering why Steve 'Totally-Not-Suspicious' Harrington was climbing into your room last night. Thought maybe he was helping you with… homework."
Nancy flushed, instantly defensive. "He wasn't climbing. And he didn't come in."
"He was halfway through your window," Mike shot back. "Pretty sure that counts as extra credit."
Nancy leaned closer, voice sharp but hushed. "You're not telling Mom and Dad."
Mike shrugged with fake innocence. "Depends. How nice are you going to be to me from now on?"
Nancy glared. Murderous.
"Mike Wheeler, I swear to God—"
Before she could finish, Karen Wheeler appeared with Holly on her hip.
"Everything okay?" Karen asked sweetly.
"Perfect!" Mike and Nancy replied in synchronized fake harmony.
Karen eyed them suspiciously, then moved on.
Nancy leaned forward one more time, voice dangerously low. "If you snitch, I will personally end you."
Mike grinned. "Guess you better be a really good sister, then."
Nancy scoffed, rolling her eyes and stabbing her cereal like it offended her, while Mike continued eating—smug, victorious, and maybe a little too satisfied for someone who still had to survive middle school that day.
🂼
After enjoying his little victory upstairs, Mike headed down to the basement, quietly slipping a few Eggos out of his pocket.
Eleven was still tucked inside the blanket fort. Mike knelt down and lifted the sheet slightly.
"Hey," he said softly. "Brought you something."
He held out the Eggos. She hesitated for half a second, then took one and bit into it carefully.
Her eyes brightened just a little.
"Good, right?" Mike said.
That was all the encouragement she needed. She finished it quickly, crumbs dusting her fingers. Mike couldn't help a small smile.
"There's more where that came from," he said, almost proud of himself for figuring out step one of "Taking Care of Mysterious Girl in the Basement."
Eleven didn't say much. But she gave him a small nod.
After that, Mike started to get ready to go to school.
🂽
Evan, Dustin, and Lucas walked into school, scanning the halls automatically for Mike.
No sign of him anywhere.
Dustin sighed. "Yeah… he definitely stayed home. Bet he's with the girl."
Neither Evan nor Lucas argued with that. They just exchanged a look, both thinking the same thing, even if they didn't say it out loud.
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So, how are you guys liking it so far?
If you're enjoying it, please leave some reviews, comments, longer thoughts or paragraph comments, and don't forget to send some power stones.
If you're not enjoying it, let me know where I can improve—and still send me some stones.
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Number of Chapters in P@treon: 20
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