Chapter Text
“It’s impossible, man” Lucas said almost for the third time since they had sat down at their usual table in the cafeteria. Mike rolled his eyes.
“Why do you keep saying that?” Mike’s annoyed tone became evident.
“Because it is!” Lucas shot back.
“Dustin?” Mike’s eyes traveled to his curly-haired friend, with a faint voice of hope.
“Sorry Mike, I’m with Lucas on this” he responded almost disinterestedly, making a gesture with his arms. Mike rolled his eyes again.
“I mean, why do you say it’s impossible for him to like Dungeons and Dragons? We talk about it all the time, all the time!” Mike explained almost exasperated, catching the attention of everyone around them for a few short seconds.
“Oh no man, we don't doubt that he likes DnD, or that he likes all the important movies, and even comics,” Lucas answered. Dustin nodded.
“What? Then why have you been repeating to me that it’s impossible all this time!”
“No, no, no, what we mean is that he definitely can’t look like that, right Dustin?” The person in question nodded.
“Exactly! Mike think about it, a person is either a nerd, or good-looking, but both? Not possible” Dustin added.
“Exactly!” Lucas said. “Because think about it, if something like that happened, it would be like going against the natural balance”
“What is all this shit?” Mike answered visibly irritated. “I know him!”
“You’re saying that because of this photo?” Lucas points to the polaroid on the table and shakes his head, with a mocking undertone. “I bet it’s not even him, or why would he only send one?”
“It’s true,” the curly-haired boy joined in. “Besides, look at this photo, it looks very staged, don't you think? Nobody looks that good!”
“Exactly! I mean, what if he’s not even the age he says he is? You might actually be talking to some old guy” Lucas makes a gesture of disgust and a shudder at the same time. “Grotesque.”
“How is he going to be an old guy?! I’ve talked to him many times on the phone, his voice sounds normal!” Mike rushed to say.
“Yeah, but, nowadays you can even buy a voice modulator at Radio Shack.”
“Oh my god, you guys sound so paranoid, I’m telling you guys, he’s real!” Mike looks at Lucas and Dustin. “If you don’t believe me, you can come with me to the airport next weekend.”
“To the airport? Wait, he...” Lucas says halfway, processing the new information in his brain. Mike smiles sideways triumphantly.
“That’s right, he’s coming to Hawkins,” Mike says with self-sufficiency, crossing his arms behind his neck.
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For Mike the week passed slower than usual, summer vacation had just begun, but throughout all that time it was impossible for him to take his eyes off the calendar, it’s curious because usually you want vacation time to pass more peacefully, but for Mike it was quite the opposite. —or at least regarding that first week— Every night before going to sleep, he crossed out one more day on his calendar, longing for the weekend to arrive soon, after all, you don't always get the chance to meet your pen pal boyfriend in person.
The black-haired boy lay back on his bed, letting out a sigh thinking about that boy who lately wouldn't leave his mind, he imagined him at every moment, when he woke up, when he slept, when he read those beautiful letters he sent him —and which he had perfectly regarded in his binder—, it was simply something he couldn't avoid. He smiled in the quiet of his room, remembering how it had all started.
At first, when he saw that “Pen Pals” advertisement on the public library bulletin board, he thought it was silly, who would want to talk to a stranger?, he must admit, that at first he only signed up out of mere curiosity, but, since the first letter he received from Will, there was something, a kind of connection, a click that managed to make him feel things he never thought possible, and even less for a boy!, after all there are times when he still struggles to accept who he is, and it is something that took him even longer to be able to admit to his family and close friends, but since that boy with beautiful hazel eyes entered his life, Mike must admit that he has managed to set aside those fears that tormented him, and of course he is glad of not having to keep hiding who he is and how he is. It simply feels like a relief inside of him. Immersed in his thoughts, Mike took his boyfriend's photo in his hands again and smiled, his interior filled with enthusiasm, finally, the long-awaited day would be tomorrow.