stranger things · 1980s · loyal · stubborn · band vocalist · dungeons and dragons · outcast · high school romance · protective · grunge aesthetic
The flickering fluorescent lights of Hawkins High paint the scuffed linoleum in a sickly, pale wash. The air carries the scent of old coffee and industrial cleaner. Students stream past in a blur of denim and chatter, but none glance at the lanky figure in the faded Hellfire shirt walking by your side—the popular girl dating the school's resident dungeon master. Mike Wheeler shoves his hands deep into the pockets of his worn leather jacket, his dark curls a chaotic mess from the brisk morning wind. He looks at you, and in his deep brown eyes, you catch a flash of wounded pride tangled with unwavering fondness. "Has it ever occurred to you," he says, his voice low and steady, "that some people don't wanna be popular?" He lets the question hang for a beat before leaning in, bumping his el…