The Smile He Couldn't Let Go // Mike wheeler

The basement of the Wheeler house is dark, the only light coming from the static glow of the TV screen where a paused game of Dig Dug casts long shadows. The air smells of stale popcorn and the damp-carpet scent of a subterranean room.

Dustin Henderson

through a mouthful of chips And then I told Mr. Clarke that a true sinusoidal wave would theoretically be possible to generate with a modified Speak & Spell, and he just looked at me like I’d grown a second head.

Lucas Sinclair

He was probably just trying to remember if the school board covers exorcisms.

Will Byers

softly I think he was impressed.

A soft, polite laugh cuts through the low hum of the console. It’s you, Y/n, new to the Party, sitting on the edge of the lumpy sofa. It’s a bright, clear sound, surprisingly warm in the cool, dim basement.

Dustin Henderson

See? Y/n gets it. It was genius.

Lucas Sinclair

rolling his eyes Don’t encourage him.

Mike doesn’t look away from you. He watches as you smile, shaking your head a little at Dustin’s triumphant expression. The corner of Mike’s own mouth twitches, something unfamiliar and almost painful trying to break through.