The Long Game━ (l. sinclair)

welcome backs and waterboarding

Everything was a mess.

Not letting Mike off the hook, Lucas walked up to him with folded arms and a scowl. He chastised, "You're late. Again."

"Sorry," Mike dismissed quickly, not really seeming to care.

With a frown, Will worried, "We're gonna miss the opening."

"Yeah, if you guys keep whining about it," Mike said, rushing for the mall doors. "Let's go!"

"If you guys keep whining about it. Nyeh-nyeh-nyeh," Lucas mocked him, and Mike sneered, pushing Lucas to follow him.

They all walked inside Starcourt Mall in a fast pace. So fast, Sam didn't even have time to take in the flamboyance and brightness of it all. The mall was the newest and hottest thing in Hawkins – it was large and, ever since summer had started, every kid in town was always here. It had everything anyone needed: food, games, movies, shopping – you name it, and Starcourt had it.

The downside was that the large business of the mall was putting smaller stores out of business, but none of Sam's friends cared much when she tried speaking on the topic.

"Let me guess," Lucas began, making kissy noises as his lips moved together, "you were 'busy.'"

Mike rolled his eyes, scoffing. "Oh, yeah, real mature, Lucas."

"Oh, El! I wish we could make out forever and never hang out with any of our friends!" Lucas mocked him, as Will laughed.

As Max saw Sam was getting upset again – always worried the Party was falling apart in her hands — she warned, "Lucas, stop."

"Will thinks it's funny," Lucas defended himself, gesturing lazily towards the boy behind him at the sound of Will's laughter.

"Because it is," Will said through his giggles.

Sam sighed, sending Mike a sorry look. Then, to the boys, she chided, "Come on, guys, just stop. Can we just have a good time?"

Lucas rolled his eyes, another tease falling silent on his lips.

"Sorry, Sam," Will quit laughing, sending her a half-hearted shrug.

"Sorry, Sam," Lucas and Mike echoed.

A pleased, tiny smile was put onto Sam's face as she successfully got her friends to shut up. Max sent Sam an amused look, barking at a laugh as she had everyone in the Party wrapped around her finger.

"Thank you," cheered Sam, happy mood returned. She got in front of them all to lead them towards their destination in the fastest way possible. "Now, come on!"

The Party rushed down the escalators, pushing by a bunch of people.

"Excuse us! Sorry! Totally my fault!" Sam apologized.

"Sorry," they kept saying, finally getting off. Their speed had them bumping into a group of girls.

"Hey! Watch it!" one of them spat as Mike pushed past her, the two girls behind her following suit with shouts of annoyance.

"Yeah, watch it, nerds!" Erica Sinclair called to them from where she was sat with a group of her friends on the bench, snarling at her brother in distaste.

"Isn't it past your bedtime?" Lucas scoffed.

Erica clicked her tongue. "Isn't it time you died?"

"Psycho!" spat Lucas.

"Butthead!" she shot back.

"Mallrat!"