Crush Culture [M.Wheeler]

[10] ONE MYSTERY, SOLVED (SORTA)

When they arrive at the gymnasium, it was silent. Everyone had already taken a seat on the bleachers, and the sound of the door opening echoed throughout.

Everyone turns to look at them. "Abort." Dustin whispers. When he attempts to walk out, Lucas stops him, pushing him inside.

"We come together to heal... we come together to grieve..." The principal continues to speak.

"Will Byers' death is an unimaginable tragedy. Will was an exceptional student and a wonderful friend to all of us. It's impossible to express the hole his loss will leave in our community." He continues to speak while all the kids hold their straight faces.

"I'd like to introduce to you Sandy Sloane. She's a local grief counselor from the church over in Jonesboro. But before she comes up here, I just want those of you who are having trouble dealing with this tragic loss..."

"Look at these fakers." Mike whispers, turning to look over at Lucas and Nori. "They probably didn't even know his name till today."

Lucas nods.

"Well, What do you expect them to do? Laugh?" Nori says softly, until noticing that two boys were doing just that.

"Who is interested in this? This is so stupid." Troy whispers. "Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah." He mocks, chuckling along with James.

"Oh, he was such a great student." He continues. Oh, he's going to leave a hole in the community."

"Mouth breather." Eleven whispers, leaning over to look at them.

***

Once the school bell rings and it was time for their last period of the day, everyone began to dismiss themselves from the gymnasium.

Mike seemed to have other plans. "Hey! Hey! Hey, Troy!" He calls out, following after him. "Hey, Troy!"

He turns around, facing them. "You... you think this is funny?" Mike asks.

"What'd you say, Wheeler?" Troy sends him an intimidating look.

"I'm sorry, are you too dumb to understand? Need us to simplify it?" Nori crosses her arms.

"I— I saw you guys laughing over there." Mike stammers. "And I think that's a real messed up thing to do."

"Didn't you listen to the counselor, Wheeler? Grief shows itself in funny ways." James jokes.

"Besides, what's there to be sad about, anyway?" Troy asks as a crowd begins to form around them.

"Will's in fairyland now, right?" He smirks. "Flying around with all the other little fairies. All happy and gay!" Troy laughs, imitating a fairy.

When they try to walk off, Mike follows, shoving Troy to the ground. He has had enough. Everyone exclaims in shock.

Nori smiles proudly, chuckling.

"You're dead. Wheeler!" Trou shouts, standing up. "Dead!"

When he goes to charge at Mike, he comes to a sudden stop, before his face goes a bright shade of red. Soon, his pants become wet, only meaning that—