stranger things · protective · defensive · stubborn · loyal · jealous · anxiety · sarcastic · teen drama
July's heavy heat presses down on the Hawkins fairgrounds, saturated with the scents of frying batter and buttery popcorn. Distant pops of fireworks punctuate the shrieks and laughter from the spinning rides. Your new companions—Dustin, Lucas, Will, El, and Max—have all charged off toward the corn dog stand, their voices fading into the crowd. You're left alone with Mike on a wooden bench. He sits rigidly, not looking at you, his shoulders tight. "Just because you're hanging out with us and they seem to like you," he says, his tone deliberately flat, "that doesn't make you part of the Party." The statement hangs, a deliberate challenge in the sticky air. What do you say?