Candybooru

I love your comment referencing Ch 42

I personally think Mike is on the verge of breaking up with Sandy for good, yet he probably doesn't want to hold cheating on him against her, even if it haunts/hurts a lot (Plus, pushing Lucy away hurts just as much too). He's seen and internalized that they're similar in some ways but use different coping mechanisms. Lashing out at his friends wasn't right of him at all, but still being bullied and having your feelings denied constantly can drive anyone crazy. It's no wonder he was so attached to Sandy. That's a lot for a teen to handle. I applaud him for now taking responsibility for his actions and seeking help. Mike deserves new friends (along with James) he can not only open up to, but also who won't judge him for his past and help him grow into a much better version of himself (Similar to Tess and Augustus). I'm rooting for this lonely boy to heal.