Chapter Text
1991
Mike
There, standing before him were Erica and Lucas. In Dustin’s room covered floor to ceiling with niche movie posters, the floor cluttered with video games.
The very same one where Dustin’s ‘pet’ demo dog was raised all those years ago. Mike remembered what it felt like when that was his biggest problem. He envied little Mike sometimes, he had no idea back then.
They were arguing about something, when were they not?
Mike waved awkwardly as if waiting for someone to acknowledge his arrival “Hey guys”
“Oh great, another nerd!” Erica muttered, just loud enough for him to hear.
“Come over and join the fun!”
It was then that Dustin walked through the door, perfectly timed.
He nodded at Mike, as if to say hey dude, sorry you gotta put up with this now! “What is it with you girls and your sarcasm?”
He sounded a little salty, maybe Erica usually gave him a hard time.
Erica crossed her arms over her chest “I think it’s just you, you really bring it out of us!”
“Might I remind you I have a girlfriend! She’s perfectly wonderful and her name is-
Erica didn’t let him finish. “Susie! Yes, how could we forget, Dusty bun?”
She laughed, and suddenly her and Lucas were bursting into song.
And he had to admit their rendition of Never Ending Story was almost better than the classic that was Susie and Dustin’s.
“Spot on.” Encouraged Mike, finally adding to the conversation.
That sparked quite the debate between him and Dustin, the sibling laughing in between insults.
They quickly fell into that easy rhythm, like they had been friends forever because they had.
Before they knew it, it was 3 pm, and the group had migrated to the living room. Mike and Lucas took the couch, while Dustin and Erica settled for the two arm chairs. Watching tv just like old times.
For a while they sat comfortably in the quiet, laughing occasionally, until Lucas broke the silence.
“So,” he said, sitting up. “Have any of you heard from Will lately?”
“No, why?” Mike was the first to answer, practically jumping at the mention of Wills name. And god, he hated himself for it. But Mike could deny, he was curious.” “Oh, really?” Lucas seemed surprised. “Yeah.” “Well I just thought if he called me, he would’ve cal, you. Are you guys alright?” He seemed genuinely concerned. Mike honestly didn’t know what him and Will were anymore, whether they were still best friends or not. But he said the same thing he always did. The thing he said when Nancy or his mother ran out of icebreakers. “Yeah, we’re fine, what did he say.” Mike tried to seem uninterested, but his fingernails were digging into the cushioning underneath him. “Just asked me how I was, how you guys were,” he gestured at the rest of the crowd. Just when Mike assumed he was done, Lucas leaned in, a grin plastered across his face like he was about to deliver the gossip of the century. “And get this, he said he met someone!l Lucas smirked like this was a scandalous topic to be discussing. He didn’t know why, but Mike felt a tinge of jealousy. Why didn’t Will tell him? This topic finally peeked Erica’s interest, a look of slight shock on her face. “Wow, good for him! Doing better than these two,” she pointed at Dustin and Lucas. Dustin shook his head in disbelief, “We literally both have girlfriends!” Lucas nodded along, “Yeah me and Max are going on two years!” He said proudly, as if they were engaged. “Only because you broke up so many times!” She countered. “Hey!” “I’m just saying eventually I lost count!” Mike interrupted, rising from his seat on the couch he hadn’t once left for five hours. “Well that’s good for him, you should go visit sometime.” Lucas looked surprised at that. “We all should.” Before he knew it, Mike started to spiral. “I don’t know, flights cost a lot. And moneys tight you know? Plus New York is a bit of a journey. Not to mention all the planning you’d have to do. It’s just not worth the trouble, he’ll come for holidays any way, right?” “Just go to god damn New York!” Erica protested, although it was less of a ‘go on’, and more of a ‘I’m just saying this to shut you up’. Mike looked at her, “Nah, it’s fine.” The next day
When Mike woke up the house was empty, everyone had left for work and school, leaving him home alone.
He stumbled into the kitchen, hungry for breakfast after sleeping for hours.
Sometimes he wished his mother would wake him up, he hated sleeping in. The best inspiration came in the morning. It was unlike any other time of day, but so short lived. Always hard to capture with just words.
Mike opened the fridge to find the usual assortment of breakfast foods, cereal, crumpets, toast, familiar and boring. But something caught his eye. Stuffed in the back of the fridge, on the top shelf was a box of Eggo’s. Mike remembered he wouldn’t let his mum throw them out, in case El ever came over, not that she could. Mike had never understood Els liking for Eggo’s, and frankly found it quite strange, he himself hated there flavourless taste. But he slapped one on his plate and sat down at the table. He was eating in silence until he heard a sharp knock on the door. Mike had no idea who would be at his house now, maybe Lucas, or Dustin he might have left something over there. He got up and opened the door, only to be surprised for the second time that week. Standing there in the doorway was Erica, hands on her hips, sassy as ever.
What the hell was she doing here?
She looked over his shoulder at his recently abandoned breakfast.
“Waffles, huh?” She asked this question like she already knew the answer, but Mike gave it to her anyway.
“Yeah they were El’s favourite.”
He looked at her, then down at his feet. For some reason he felt embarrassed
She nodded, a flash of judgment gracing her face, even if only short, Mike noticed.
He was still confused as to why she was here.
“So um, why are you here again?
She smiled like he had finally gotten it right.
“Come with me.”
“Wait, what! Where?”
She started walking back to her bike.
“Come on Wheeler!”
He followed her, almost tripping over the ground.
She turned around and grinned ear to ear, making fun of Mike like always.
He kept walking, “Whatever,” Mike muttered
She just laughed.
And he had to admit he wasn’t hating this.
Mike was surprised when Erica stopped her bike at some run down warehouse, but hey he was going with the flow today.
She leaned it against the wall and began walking towards the door, which looked like it might come off it’s hinges.
He just stood there for a second, confused as to why Erica would take her there.
But Mike followed her when she yelled at him.
“Hurry up Wheeler, we don’t have all day!”
It’s not that she scared him, just that she made his legs shake, his heart beat and his palms sweat.
“Coming.”
Erica knocked on the door.
A loud voice came out, making Mike jump.
Erica was clearly trying not to laugh.
The voice said, “Go away, I’m busy!”
To Mike’s surprise it sounder familiar, he recognised the annoyance and frustration to be non other that Murray.
She replied, “It’s Erica!”
Murray sighed “Come in!”
Mike was delighted for what might be on the other side of the door.
Murray welcomed them with open arms, code for he didn’t seem to exited to see them.
He leaned in towards Erica, gritting his teeth as he asked, “Already? Are you sure?”
She nodded and shot Mike a quick glance. “Yeah, I’m sure.”
Murray sat down on the couch, gesturing for them to join him.
He cleared his throat, “So Mike, what ya have for breakfast?l
Great, Mike thought, more small talk.
“Waffles.”
Murray smiled to himself, clearly pleased with this answer.
“Hmm, they were El’s favourite weren’t they?”
“Um, yeah. Yeah they were.” Mike shifted in his seat, he had a feeling this conversation was about to get uncomfortable.
“What’s Wills?”
“Um-“ He was surprised at this question, what did that have to do with anything.
“You do know?l
Before Mike could stop himself he got defensive.
“Of course, eggs with syrup.”
Erica made a face but he ignored her.
“Anytime he would come over to my house he would have them, cuz Mum always let him. They made him feel better, he usually came over when his Dad-“ He stopped himself, he shouldn’t be telling anyone this.
Murray edged him on. “When his dad what?”
Mike swallowed the lump in his throat. “Um…”
“It’s okay. What, hurt him, yelled at him?”
Mike felt heat riding in his neck, why would you ask this?
“Why are you asking me this?”
He wasn’t going to share something like that from Wills life. That was a secret that only belonged to the two of them.
“This is a complete violation of Will’s privacy!”
Murray looked at him like was both the answer he wanted and expected.
“And why are you so defensive?”
Mike couldn’t stop the rage spilling from his mouth.
“Why are you asking me this?” There were no answers in the silence, so he asked again. Louder this time angry for Will, tears welling up in his eyes, threatening to spill down his reddened face.
“Why are you asking me this!?” He was almost screaming now.
Murray kept pushing.
“What is he too you Micheal?”
“Stop! I’m not like him! I’m not like that!” He screamed it like he was trying to prove it to the world.
“I like girls! I like El!” He shouldn’t have to.
“El’s dead!” Murray shouted back at him.
The tears spilled freely now. Mike staggered backwards and ran to the door.
“Mike wait!” Erica called after him, but he ignored her. He ran to his bike and started peddling.
Away from this.
Will
Will looked in the mirror, yep he looked like himself.
He was meeting with Zara and Leena tonight.
They were kind of like his best friends here, they had gotten through the first year of college together.
Will still remembered when he told them about him, they had accepted him immediately. They told him the world was ridiculous and nothing would ever change how much they loved him.
He had never cried harder then he had that day, but for once it was from happiness. Will slept over that night, and they held him while he cried.
That was when he knew they were gonna be friends forever.
Tonight they were going to some club Zara found. Of course, dancing, drinking and talking to strangers was literally her hobby.
He heard a knock on the door, but Will didn’t move.
Just like he knew they would, Zara and Leena opened the door, inviting themselves in.
Zara whistled. “Ooh, we’re dressed up tonight! Looking hot, party boy.”
Leena came up beside her, “I can see it now, Will Byers, boy magnet!”
Will sighed “Oh shut up!”
Leena nudged his shoulder, “Alright let’s go! Race you Zara!”
She smirked, “Oh you are so on.”
They rushed out the door, like a pair of eight year olds.
Will just watched them, before heading out.
Material Girl blasted through the speakers, loud enough to make them partially deaf. Not that they cared.
Leena, of course, the only stable one in the group was on the wheel, while Zara screamed along to Madonna in the back seat.
“CUZ WE ARE LIVING IN A MATERIAL WORLD!” She pointed the imaginary microphone at Will.
“AND I AM A MATERIAL GIRL!”
They pulled up to the club, jumping out of the car.
They found a spot at the bar inside.
Leena sat down, “Ahh, perfect for gossiping.”
Will shook his head, “We know, your favourite sport.”
Zara slung her arms around them, “Plus it’s where the drinks are!”
Despite all the noise coming from the dance floor, it felt they were the only people in the room.
“So,” the second Zara opened her mouth, Will knew this wouldn’t be good.
“How’s Carlton?” She asked playfully.
Bingo.
“I wouldn’t know!”
“Wait, did he end-“ Leena made a face like she was searching for the words.
“Whatever this is.”
“No,” sighed Will. “He just hasn’t spoken to me since our last date.”
“Ugh, typical!” Groaned Zara.
She raised her glass, “Here’s to stupid boys, who make us bend over backwards even though they know there just the average douchbag, who’s not even hot!”
Leena laughed, “I’ll drink to that.”
They clinked there half empty glasses.
“To stupid boys!”
Will gulped the rest of his drink down. “Amen!”
“Damn, slow down there!”
“Never! Well, that one maybe, tasted like gasoline and regret.”
They collapsed laughing.
“Alright, boys and girls, let’s take this to the dance floor!”
“Woo!” Yelled Will, alcohol rushing though his veins.
When they made it to the floor Leena practically fainted.
She gasped, “Omg, there playing my song!”
Will smiled, “Hell yeah they are, let’s dance!”
Lara laughed, “That’s the spirit party boy!”
You spin me round (like a record) was blaring through the speakers, at what was hopefully max volume.
Zara screamed, “YOU SPIN ME RIGHT ROUND!”
Grabbing Wills hand, and he spun her.
“LIKE A RECORD BABY!”
They danced like that for hours, only leaving the floor to get another drink.
They lost count of how many they’d had hours ago.
Eventually people started rolling out, maybe because it was getting late, or because they were being completely obnoxious.
Leena, who was the only one who had stayed remotely sober, pulled them out and into the car.
She drove them to NYU.
Leena opened the door and hauled Zara and Will out of the car.
Will stepped onto the pavement, “IM DRUNK,” he screamed.
“Yeah, you sure are buddy!”
Zara walking behind them spoke up. “Hey I’m drunk too!”
Will gasped, “Twins!”
Leena pinched the bridge of her nose, “oh my god.” She sighed, but she was smiling despite herself.
She loved these guys.