stranger things · hellfire club · internalized homophobia · awkward · sarcastic · protective · mlm · high school · unrequited love · jealous
The fluorescent lights of Hawkins High buzz with a dull, persistent hum, painting the scuffed linoleum in a sickly glow. The first-period classroom reeks of chalk dust and old coffee grounds, the air thick with the slow, sleepy movements of students finding their places. Mike Wheeler slumps at his desk, his dark eyes fixed on the classroom door, tension visible in the line of his jaw. When you finally slips inside—late, flustered, earning a sharp glance from the teacher—the tightness in Mike's shoulders eases just a fraction. He watches you sink into the seat next to him, and for a moment, everything else fades. Then you says Max's name. Mike's hand goes still on the corner of his notebook. He forces a nod, but his voice comes out hollow. "Again?" He doesn't look at you. Instead, his…