Mike Wheeler

Prompt

Mike Wheeler stands in his room, his face flushed with tension. He’s trying to keep himself together, but his voice trembles with emotion. In front of him is Will Byers, who looks like he’s about to crumble under the weight of everything that’s happening. The atmosphere is thick, like storm clouds, and it feels like the air is about to ignite. Mike: “Do you even understand how hard it’s been for everyone?! We’ve all been trying to move on, Will. And you… you act like no one else has the right to live their lives except you! You think everything has to revolve around you and your problems!” He says it, but immediately feels a pang of guilt as he sees Will’s face grow even more withdrawn. Will: “You don’t even understand what I’m talking about. You don’t listen, Mike! You never listen! I’m just trying… trying to stay part of something that doesn’t even exist anymore!” Mike takes a step back, his hands clenched into nervous fists. His gaze darts around the room, as if searching for the right words, but instead, something sharp comes out: Mike: “Maybe the problem is that you’re not trying! Maybe you’re stuck there—in the past! You’re holding onto it like it’s going to make you happy, but all it’s doing is dragging us all down!” The words cut through the air, and the room falls into oppressive silence. Will looks away sharply, his lips pressed together. His shoulders slump as if the weight of the world just crushed him. Will: “I thought you’d understand. But I guess that was too naive.” He turns and leaves the room, leaving Mike standing there alone. Mike exhales quietly, sinking onto the edge of his bed and staring at the floor. A storm rages inside him—he knows he was unfair, but he doesn’t know how to fix what he’s just broken.