After that, Will went into another "episode" which left Mike to be concerned. In fact, he was so concerned he almost decided on going to Will's straight away.

However, he stops himself when he sees Goldie's locker and is reminded of his much needed attempt at making an apology.

"702 Cherry Road," he mumbles repeatedly, biking down the street.

He wonders what he should say when he gets there. Will she be mad at him?

When he finally gets to the house, he drops his bike and slowly makes his way onto the porch. The floorboards cream beneath them, but he pays them no mind, more focused on the appearance of outside the house.

It's a decent home, about the same size as his own.

Standing at the front door, he hesitates. He isn't so sure that he wants to do this now, swallowing the newly formed lump in his throat.

Then, he remembers how upset Goldie looked.

He reaches out, and knocks on the door.

There's a few moments of silence before he hears shuffling behind the door and people yelling indistinct words at each other before it's finally pulled open.

A lady is stood there. She's tired looking, and resembles Marigold in so many ways.

"Um, Hi," Mike speaks up. "I'm here to see, Mar— Goldie."

She gives him a suspicious look before turning her head and yelling over her shoulder.

"Marigold! There's a boy here to see you!" She shouts, before turning back to him. "You can go upstairs. Her room is the first one to the left."

She moves aside, allowing him entrance. Mike is quick to walk up the stairs and away from the awkward tension that was beginning to form between him and the woman. Before he's completely up the stairs, he hears muffled music blasting loudly.

As he gets closer, he realizes it's coming from Marigold's room.

He knocks as loudly as he can, hoping she'll hear him over the music.

Thankfully, he knows his knock is heard when the music is shut off, and shuffling comes towards the closed door.

"What do you—" Marigold stares in shock at the boy in front of her.

He doesn't say anything, just waves and smirks awkwardly.

She takes a second to glance around him, seeing if her mother followed. When she's sure that the woman is going to leave them be, she pulls Mike into the room and shuts the door.

As soon as he's pulled in, he's in awe.

Her bedroom is one of the coolest he's ever seen. It's a deep indigo shade with the constellations painted over all along the roof. He can tell from the way the paint illuminates that the stars are painted in one of those glow in the dark brands. He can only imagine what they look like at night.

"What're you doing here, Mike?" Goldie questions, leaning against her door with her arms crossed over her chest.

The boy snaps out of his daze, turning quickly to face her.

"I came to say sorry," he nods. "I'm sorry for snapping at you like that."

"You came to apologize?" She snorts. "Yeah, okay. Now, tell me why you really came here."

He seems a little annoyed that she doesn't believe him, but quickly masks it with a soft patient smile.

"I'm serious," he insists. "I really came to apologize! I'm sorry, Goldie."

"Someone told you about my dad, didn't they?" She scoffs, shaking her head. "Didn't they?"

He's taken aback by her accusations, but she isn't wrong. Saying nothing, he begins to notice that seems to be becoming upset quickly by his silence.

"I knew it," she scoffs, rolling her eyes. "Well, guess what, Mike— I don't need your pity! I don't need it. You can leave, and you'll never have to worry about me being weird, creepy, or annoying—"

"Marigold, I'm not here out of pity!" He argues.

"Yeah, right," she blinks. "Whatever you heard about me, you don't have to worry. I can take care of myself. I can take care of myself this time.."

He can see that she's becoming frantic, and immediately begins to relate to her. Just like him, she seems to be translating her pain into anger. The same way he acts out because he misses El, she does because she has pint up anger.

"I'm sorry," he lightly pleads. "I'm not here because I heard anything about you or your dad. Is that why you've been acting weird though? Is it because of your dad?"

Goldie stares at him for a second or two, making him fidget in his place before she moves to sit on her large bed. She pats the spot beside her and her quickly moves to sit down.

"I'm surprised you noticed anything about me," she admits. "I still don't understand why you're here. Do you just want me to tell you why I'm upset?"

He sighs, "why can't you just believe I came to say sorry?"

"Why are you always so mean to me?" She retaliates, staring down at her hands. "At first I thought it wasn't so bad, but now I have to ask you— do you want me to leave you alone? Like, really? Cause, I will if you want."

He shakes his head, "no, no, I don't want that. I really was just over reacting— I thought I saw someone, but I didn't. I just got so disappointed and it made me mad and I took it out on you. I'm sorry."

Marigold nods her head understandingly.

"Are you sure you don't want me to leave you alone?" She repeats. "I know I can be a bit much sometimes."

"No," he insists. "I....like...havinguousroujd..."

The last part comes out a bit mumbles and mixed together.

"What was that?" She smiles.

Mike sighs, and falls back into her bed dramatically.

"I said I like having you around," he groans. "Now, shut up and don't tell anyone I said that."

"I knew it!" She cheers, giggling. "I knew you liked me! I could just tell. No one can resist Goldie Sullivan!"

"Don't let it go to your head," Mike states, rolling his eyes playfully. "I just feel bad that you started crying like that. I mean, you've made me feel bad twice! That's considered guilt tripping."

"Don't play victim! You made me cry, remember that," she reminds.

"Yeah," he huffs.

"I could tell you care because you came all the way to my house," she states. "By the way, how did you know where I live?"

"Max," he simply states.

"Ooooh," she nods. "Well, I'm just letting you know, you aren't forgiven that easily, Wheeler."

Mike quickly sits up, giving her a confused look.

"What? Why?" He whines. "I said I'm sorry, what else do you want?"

"You're staying the night," she states. "And you're gonna be nice to me all night long."

"I'm not allowed to stay the night at a girls house! Plus, it's a school night," He grins, "so I guess we're gonna have to call it off."

"Ummmm, no," Goldie argues. "What you do is call your mom and tell her you have to stay over at your friends house to finish a really important project and hang up before she can ask which friend."

"What about your mom?" Mike nervously asks.

"My mom lets me do whatever I want," she shrugs. "She owes."

Mike pretends not to know what she means by that, and swallows the nervous lump in his throat. It's not like he's never lied to his mom before. However, sleeping over at her house? Who knows what could happen.

"Fine. I'll do it," Mike sighs. "What am I supposed to sleep in? And what do I wear to school tomorrow?"

"Do you know Steve Harrington?" She questions.

Mike snorts, "he's dating my sister."

"Wait? Really?" She blinks, "no way!"

"Yeah," he nods. "They've been dating since last year."

"Oh, well," she smiles, "do you think you'd fit into his clothes?"

Mike isn't really sure what she's trying to get out, and stares at her with a deep confusion. He's clueless about their friendship and assumes she only knows him through his school popularity.

"Yeah, probably?" He raises a brow.

"Okay, I'll tell Steve to bring some spare clothes for you to sleep in and wear tomorrow," She claps. "Problem solved!"

"Woah woah, wait," he stops her, "you know Steve Harrington?"

"Pfft," She giggles, "know him? He's more of a mother to me than my own! He gives me a ride every morning, and most afternoons. He brings me breakfast, and packs me lunch!"

Mike laughs a little.

"Are you serious? I've never even seen you two—"

A glimpse of the first day school comes to mind, and he distinctly recalls Steve peaking his head in and interrupting her introduction.

"Oh yeah! I have seen you guys together before," he nods. "Well, I guess I could borrow some of his clothes."

"Cool!" Marigold cheers, clearly excited. "Then, we're really doing this! We're gonna have so much fun!"

Mike smiles.

He can tell he's doing the right thing because that sparkle in her eye that had been missing for a bit is finally back and shining more than ever.