章 54: 54. Bruise my face but heal my heart
A/N: So I got inspired by chapter 12 of FateChica's 'be brave and kiss the girl' (and I agree, those two should GET ON WITH IT!). The Zack character is hers, I just changed the spelling and made up this scene because it just popped in my head after I read her scene.
Again, this is nobody's prompt, this is just me trying to keep this story alive. I'll try to write some prompts from the list so I can finally deliver!
Here's the thing.
He liked El Hopper. He liked her a lot. Ever since she started school, she was all soft smiles, gentle eyes and kind words. To everyone, really. But it felt more special when it was directed at him. He thought it'd change when she joined the cheerleaders, his friends told him so, but they were wrong. El was still the same kind-hearted girl who would sit next to him in English class and greet him in the halls whenever they crossed paths.
She was really nice, and that got extended to his friends when she started having lunch with them. She even brought a friend in, one who, although tough and blunt, was funny and sarcastic in a way that they enjoyed (Lucas the most). But, again, it felt even more special when her niceness was for him. Her smiles, her touches, her whispers... reserved just for him. He'd never though that would happen. And yes, he liked to think that she liked him back. Not just because his friends told him so, or because Max subtly tried to tell him to finally make a move, but because El didn't really hide it. He might lack experience when it came to girls, but he wasn't an idiot. He was a nerd for a reason, and that was being smart, which she apparently liked about him too. She was a dream, truly. The whole package.
Which, that's the thing.
He wasn't the only one who liked her.
It wasn't a secret that Zack Heron had chased after her for months, and every time she turned him down. It'd be depressing if it wasn't so annoying. Like, the guy just wouldn't go away; and he made it clear to him one day after he basically stalked his locker until Mike arrived, warning him to step away. But as time progressed and El and him got way closer, that guy just went to the back of his mind.
Until he had him face to face.
It was a Friday, and it was Pep Rally day. El was in cheer uniform, and he'd been distracted all morning after catching her creamy legs in class. It wasn't fair. It wasn't fair at all. And that distraction came to an end as he and the boys walked into the cafeteria to grab lunch. They'd barely made it past the door when he heard a sharp intake of breath and he turned around just in time to catch a glimpse of Will being thrown into a wall before his sight was obscured by a fist.
Pain erupted in his whole being. It felt like he could see the waves of it crashing through him, red flags rising everywhere, when he felt a second punch land on his eye, and then the color changed to black.
He could hear his friends yelling his name, but it was faint. As if he was underwater and the sound was above the surface.
He felt another punch, and then he felt warmth trickling past his chin. A foot connected with his stomach and he doubled over, feeling his world turn upside down as he fell.
Through the haziness, he could make out a familiar face that came with ash blond hair, and a recognizable voice that confirmed his abuser.
"You just don't know where to draw the line, don't you, Wheeler?" Zack Heron was saying, a vicious sneer on his lips as he flexed his bruised knuckles. "Thought I told you to stay away from her. I think I made myself clear when I said I saw her first. But maybe you just needed a little something to, you know, make it kick in."
He felt another kick in his side, his ribs instantly throbbing and his breath escaping him in a huff. Pain rose to his face once more, and he curled into himself with a whimper.
"Leave him alone!" Lucas shouted.
"Michael needs to remember who he is, Sinclair. And maybe so do you." Zack landed another kick to Mike's face, watching blood sprinkle the white tile of the floor, and he would've done it again if the doors to the cafeteria hadn't slammed open with urgency.
Max's notorious red hair bounced into view, alertness on her blue eyes as assessed the situation and held the door open to let someone else in.
Then El came in, ponytail bouncing as she ran after Max, who'd come to find her as soon as she heard what was happening, horror crossing her face as her brain processed the scene.
"Mike!" She yelled in shock as she saw him curled into a bloody ball. At the foot of her annoying shadow. Understanding dawned on her and then all she felt was hot, liquid fury.
No fucks given-as her dad would say-she marched right up between the two boys and pushed as hard as her body allowed against Zack's chest.
"God, what's wrong with you?!" El cried out loudly, an anguished look on her face as she crouched in front of Mike. Her hand had barely reached out for his bruised face when her arm was snatched back.
"Listen," Zack said in a snarl, his hand wrapped around her bicep tightly. "Hopper, I'm sick—".
But he never finished his sentence as his mouth dropped open in a loud yell when El's knee made contact with his crotch. She shoved him back with fury and watched as he fell to the ground with a pained groan.
"Touch me again and I'll break your fucking hand." She hissed, a dark glare etched on her usually serene face. "You want to talk about sick? How about this? I'm sick of you. I'm sick of you not getting how disgusting you are to me. You think I'll eventually cave in and go out with you but the truth is, Zack, that no matter how many times you corner me in the hallway or how many guys you try to scare off, I'll never date you. And 'it's not me'," she said mockingly. "It's you. You're a pig and an asshole and I rather chew glass for a living than actually talk to you."
With one finally glare at the fallen boy, she turned back around and finally came face to face with Mike, who was being held up by the underarms by Lucas, with Dustin by their side.
His eye was swollen, but he still blinked dazedly up at her. She really was quite the girl, wasn't she?
"His eye is gonna swell shut." Max muttered in a hiss as she stood beside her.
"We need to get you to the infirmary." El mumbled worriedly, cold fingertips grazing his throbbing chin.
"C'mon, Mike." Lucas finally said, snapping out of it. With a pointed look in Dustin's way, both boys helped their bruised friend up, grimacing under the weight of him.
Zack had sat up, propped up by one of his sidekicks and mostly shame, and he made a sound in his throat as the boys moved towards the doors, where Will was holding them open, but El put herself between them.
Her lip curled up in disgust, strands of hair falling from her high ponytail, and she eyed him for a few dead seconds before she walked away, head held high.
"Oh," she paused next to Will, Max behind her; Dustin, Lucas and Mike waiting in the hallway. "And if you try to hurt him again, or come near me, just remember who my Dad is. I'm sure he could arrange a thing or two to make sure you get the message. That goes for your little band of goons, too." She threw them pointed looks, not caring about the witnesses hearing her implied misuse of influence, and let the doors of the cafeteria slam closed behind her.
Once they were totally out of there, the only sound echoing in the hall were their hurried footsteps and Mike's hushed but pained breathing.
Until, of course, it had to be broken.
"So, like, I know it's super out of order here, but that was the most badass thing I've ever seen." Dustin said to her over his shoulder, eyes wide with awe.
"Dude." Mike muttered.
"Not the best timing," Lucas rolled his eyes at the cap-wearing boy, but still turned his head to look at the cheerleaders trailing behind them. "But I have to agree."
"Same." Will gave her a tiny smile, fear still fading from his eyes, and her heart gave a pang when she remembered it all started when he was pushed against the wall first.
"Are you okay?" She questioned worriedly, eyes checking him out for any signs of trauma.
"Yeah, yeah," Will waved a hand, hair flying as he shook his head. "I just freaked out. I wasn't hurt."
"Okay." She mumbled, biting her lip.
It was all her fault.
These guys had been nothing but nice to her since the day they met her, and because of her, they had gotten involved in a fight that didn't even concern them.
"Boys?" She stopped them just as they reached the nurse's office door. "I'm sorry."
Three pairs of eyes, one totally focused and the rest over their occupied shoulders, turned to her.
"I'm so sorry this happened." Her voice took a tremble, her stomach felt tight and her eyes began to sting. Max slid her hand in hers.
"It's not your fault." Lucas assured her, an unexpected smile forming on his lips, before they opened the door.
As soon as they stepped inside, the nurse took one look at Mike and gasped. She sat him on the little cot by the window and immediately started firing questions.
"What happened?" The older woman asked as she took the first aid kit out.
"Fight." Mike mumbled.
"I mean, what happened to you?" The nurse rephrased, taking a gauze and dabbing at his busted lip.
Mike hissed. "Somebody fought me? Punched me—ow!"
"This might sting."
"I noticed," Mike hissed, trying to talk but finding the task difficult as she cleaned his bloody mouth up. "Punsh'e indaye...punsh'd m'nose and lip. Thin'ee kicked m'jaw too."
"Oh, yeah, he definitely kicked him in the face. Then some more to the stomach." Dustin added, causing the nurse to turn to them.
"Are any of you hurt?"
They eyed each other up, shaking their heads and emitting a 'no' in unison.
"Okay, good." The nurse nodded, turning back to Mike. "Then I need you to get out."
"But—".
"Out, Mr. Henderson. It's not a request."
The boys harrumphed and groaned their unwillingness out, but still shuffled to the hallway, not before saying some encouraging words to Mike.
El took a long look at him, meeting his eyes (maybe not the swollen one) and nearly melting into a puddle when he still managed to give her a reassuring smile.
"C'mon." Max tugged on her hand, closing the door behind them once they were out.
For a moment nobody said anything, just leaned against the walls of the hallway.
And again, that didn't last long.
"So, how long do you guys think it'll be before that douche tries to get revenge?" Dustin mused out loud.
Max snorted.
"I wasn't kidding, you know?" El eyed them.
"About what?"
"You are telling the Chief about this, right?" Max raised an eyebrow.
"If he approaches him, any of you included, I'll handle him. Rightly this time." She promised, crossing her arms. A thought occurred her. "Not that I don't think you guys are capable of defending yourselves, is just—".
"El, who are we kidding?" Will snorted sardonically. "Zack could blow on my face and I'd probably fly in the air."
"He's got like 30 pounds on us." Dusting agreed with a grimace.
"We're nerds, Hopper," Lucas said with ease, like he'd come to terms with it a long time ago. Which he probably did. "We're not fighters."
"Oh, I don't know," Max said, looking down at her shoes. "I've seen you at practice. Your swing's not bad at all."
Lucas cleared his throat, a pleased look fighting to break on his face. "Did I—Did I hear that right? Was that a compliment?"
Max huffed, trying to mask her amusement. "Oh, don't flatter yourself, Sinclair."
"Hey, you said it, not me."
"Yeah, so what?"
"Nothing. I just think it's interesting how you've been clearly stalking me at practice." Lucas smirked.
The redhead had to laugh at that. "So now I'm the stalker?"
"Evidence points that way."
"The only evidence you allegedly have is my word. What if I just made that up to make you feel better?" Max taunted.
Lucas' face shook. "Did you?"
Even if she tried to hide it, she couldn't help the way her heart clenched. Her lips softened out of the grin she had, and she gave the boy a tiny smile. "No. I did not."
Will grinned quietly, watching the whole thing.
Dustin rolled his eyes.
El turned the handle on the door.
She was happy for the progress in her friend's pursuit, she really was, but her mind was on something else. Or rather, someone.
She met the nurse's eye as soon as her friends' voices were muffled by the closed door.
"Miss Hopper, I thought I told you—".
"Oh," El interrupted, looking at Mike. She fought a grin. "My wrist. I forgot to say it hurts a little. Maybe I twisted it when I pushed that guy. Could I get an ice pack?" She smiled sweetly, dimples showing and eyes shiny, and Mike had to cough to bury the laugh that wanted to burst out. The movement made his stomach hurt and he couldn't help but groan, making El's eyes snap to him in worry.
The nurse rolled her eyes, finishing putting anti-swelling cream on Mike's eye.
She said nothing, grabbing a piece of cloth from the rack by the tiny sink in the corner and running it under the faucet. "Here," she held it out until it was tied up around El's right wrist. It was cold and damp, and it made goosebumps appear on her skin. "This should make the ache go away. Though I'm sure it'll go away in..." she looked between the two teens, mild annoyance in her gaze. "A few minutes."
El bit her lips, sharing an amused look with Mike, before rubbing at the cloth. "Thank you so much."
"Yeah, yeah," the older woman dismissed. "I'm going to step out to... get more gauze. Or something. I'll give you a few minutes." She rolled her eyes, shaking her head as she walked away. "Kids." She sighed under her breath, closing the door behind her.
Once her eyes left the nurse's back, she swung then back to catch Mike staring at her.
"Hi." El whispered, shuffling closer until his parted knees were nearly touching the outside of her thighs.
"Hey."
His eye was definitely going to swell shut. No amount of cream would prevent that. His nose was red from squeezing the blood out, but it didn't seem to be flowing anything out anymore, so she was sure it wasn't broken. His lip was purple and scraped, as well as his jaw, and his breath kind of rattled when he breathed, probably because of his ribs.
He looked well beaten up and it hurt.
"Hey, now," Mike spoke softly, catching her expression. "Nobody's dead."
"I'm sure your mom will be on the verge of it when she finds out." El said, lower lip pouting out a little as she lifted a hand to his face. Her finger lightly grazed the beginnings of his black eye, cream sliding underneath her skin. "I'm sorry, Mike."
"And as Lucas said, it's not your fault." He answered in a heartbeat, watching the way her eyes drank every bruise up.
"Yes, it is," she nearly whined. "This wouldn't have happened if I—".
"What? Didn't talk to me? Didn't stand near me? Made sure he didn't see us together?"
"No," El hurried to say. "I don't regret talking to you at all. I just wish... I don't know, maybe I should've been way harsher since the first time he asked me out so he got the message loud and clear."
"El," Mike sighed, fighting the urge to lick his lip. "Zack Heron doesn't take a no for an answer. Not even if you spelled it for him in glitter letters that flew around his head and sang 'NoNoNoNooooo' in B flat."
She couldn't help but giggle. "That was very specific."
He shrugged. "Came to mind. The thing is, you said no and he was the one to take that as a challenge. It's not your fault the way other people react. You can't control that."
"But look how that ended up." She said sadly, brushing her thumb on the underside of his jaw. At some point she had gotten way closer. His legs were trapping her in, one of his hands gripping loosely the ends of her skirt, while the other held her elbow.
"Not your fault. Just sucks I can't throw a punch to save my life." Mike shrugged.
"You're not a fighter," she smiled softly, letting her hand trail to his ear, flicking the lobe lightly. He chuckled. "You're a lover."
"I'm a nerd."
"Fine, you're a nerdy lover."
"Oh," he rose his eyebrows in flirty amusement. "Whose lover, though?"
He had to fight a dopey sigh as he watched color spread on her cheeks.
"I don't know..." she mumbled shyly, eyelashes fluttering as her fingers slid into his hair.
"You don't know?" His voice got lower. Damn, he loved when she played with his hair. Not that she'd done it often, but he loved it. She also felt a lot closer, or was the room getting smaller?
"No."
"Then who?"
"Huh?" She was definitely closer. Or maybe he was having a panic attack.
"Who knows?"
"Knows what?" Her other hand rose, thumb on his chin, and he shuddered as her warm breath hit his face.
"I don't know."
"No?"
"Nuh-uh."
They weren't making any sense. But did it matter? No. Was she closer? Yes. Was she beautiful? Hell yes. Was he going to kiss her? Yeah. Or maybe she would kiss him. Did it matter? Also, no.
It was like that amazing climax on a good book. Or that 'fuck yeah!' Moment on a movie. There should be fireworks or a song playing in the background.
Instead, there were giggles and muffled conversation from their friends and the sound of a leaking faucet as they finally-God, finally-stopped playing around and pressed their lips together for a kiss.
It was magical. Her lips felt soft and lush. Her mouth was warm and her skin too. Her hand lowered down to grip the back of his neck, and he, unconsciously, gripped one of her legs in support while the other one rested against her strongly beating pulse.
But, of course, the moment had to be broken.
Although magical, divine, heavenly, otherworldly, orgasm-inducing, life-changing, you name it, the kiss didn't have healing powers, so after a few seconds, his busted lip began to protest its usage, and he pulled back with a yelp.
"Oh, God, I'm so sorry," El widened her eyes, a little breathless. Her mouth was pink, her cheeks even more so, and her fingers touched her lips as if to prolong the tingles. "Your lip, it could bleed again and I—"
"No," he laughed, wincing as he stretched his lip again. "It's fine. I'm fine."
Her guilt melted into a blushing giggle, brown eyes shining with mirth. "You don't know how long I've wanted to kiss you."
"Oh, believe me, if it's anywhere near how much I've wanted to, I know. Boy, do I know." He shook his head, grinning again.
El laughed, ducking her chin in shyness, before she looked up again. Her face twisted into a grimace as she placed both hands on the sides of his face. "God, you're so beat up."
"Worth it," he mumbled as she touched his forehead with hers. "Totally worth it."
El grinned, shaking her head. "You're really something else, Mike Wheeler." She kissed him again, careful of not pulling on his lip this time.
And he wasn't lying. Even if it hurt to be sitting up, he would go through all of it again if it meant he could finally kiss the girl of his dreams at the end of the day.
A/N #2: God, that ending was soooo cheesy. I'm sorry.
Hope you enjoyed this and if you haven't read FateChica's story... what the hell are you waiting for? GO! Leave me a comment pls. I need encouragement :(
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