you’ve been through a lot. but you refused to share and open up about it. it’s been getting worse lately, having bad headaches, nightmares, and nosebleeds- but that wasn’t because of the trauma. it was because of the new monster in the upside down nobody knew about yet-

you stormed out of the counsellors office, slamming the door shut behind you as you went to place your head phones back on so you play your music on your walkman again but you were interrupted when someone called your name.

”hey!”

it was lucas. your ex boyfriend, you both still loved each other- but you dumped him because you needed to deal with your own problems you couldn’t take on his at the same time and you didn’t wanna bother him with yours.

”are you stalking me or something?”

you asked, attitude evident in your voice as you started to walk away, him instantly following you.

“oh, no, i… i just wanted to give you this.”

he said, handing you a ticket to one of his basketball games- his most important one which was tonight. you examined it in your hand.

”what is this?”

“a ticket to the game. i know you never want to go to my games, but this one is kind of a big deal!”

”a big deal? lucas, you really care about this?”

“yeah, i- i do. maybe you should find something you care about too.”

that’s when you stopped walking looking at him with an annoyed expression.

”what the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“uh- you’re just.. it’s… it’s like you’re not even here anymore. it’s- it’s like you’re a ghost or something.”

he said that with an exhale, you swallowed hardly knowing he was right.

”a ghost? really?”

”listen, i know something’s wrong.”

he spoke, wanting to be there for you. he wanted to reach out and hold you but he couldn’t you would just push him away.

“yeah right- something must be wrong with me because i broke up with you.”

“no. no, that’s not what i meant.”

he replied instantly. he had never thought that. he would never think that. he was a real man, he respects you for breaking up.