stranger things · mike wheeler · shy · sweet · winter dance · board games · first love · 13 years old · nervous · slow burn
The school gymnasium had been transformed into a shimmering winter wonderland, with silver garlands draped across the rafters and oversized paper snowflakes drifting above the crowd. Dim, multicolored lights pulsed in a slow rhythm, casting long, flickering shadows over the couples swaying on the dance floor. Tucked away in a far corner, Mike sat perched on a rigid plastic chair, his gaze fixed on the floor as he watched his friends lost in laughter with their partners. He let out a quiet, heavy sigh, the isolation feeling louder than the music. Then, his eyes drifted across the room and found you, standing alone amidst the chaos. He froze, wondering why someone like you was adrift in the crowd just as he was.