Chapter Text
The story starts on the first day of kindergarten.
Specifically, during recess, on the swings, with a little boy who just wants a friend. And another little boy who is about to fulfill that wish. See, the first boy was told by his brother and mother that school is fun and he would make a lot of friends. His father, however, barely acknowledged his existence. But that was okay, when he did it always made the boy upset.
He was told he would make a lot of friends, but so far he had none. None of the other kids seem to like him too much, they laugh at him whenever he catches their eyes. He can't figure out why, but it makes him want to go home and never come back. It makes him feel alone.
The second boy was also told he would make friends but once he got to the school he lost interest in it. The other kids clearly had already formed friend groups, he would just be left out. And he already had enough of that at home. Even at five years old he can tell his parents preferred his sister. It's just... he thought... here would be different, would be his chance to find people who like him. But nobody ever does. It makes him feel alone.
But maybe he doesn't have to be. Maybe that other boy on the swing set is alone too. Only one way to find out.
"Do you want to be my friend?"
The first boy looks up. This boy isn't laughing like the others. This boy looks, nervous? This is his chance to make a friend, and something inside of him is telling him to say, "Yes."
"I'm Mike." The second boy says.
"Will." The first boy says. The second boy, Mike, sits on the swing next to the first boy, Will.
And thus begins the first chapter.
For a while the first chapter is alright, Will and Mike quickly become inseparable and even make a new friend, Lucas. School is fun, the three of them found out that they loved learning. They especially loved science class. And when they're not at school they're usually hanging out, normally at Mike's house. Sure, Will's home life isn't the greatest and Mike only continues to feel more and more ignored by his parents, but it's so easy to forget about that stuff when they're with each other.
And then second grade brings bullies.
The thing the boys quickly learn about bullies is that they're cruel and can make you insecure about things you don't even know are a problem. The second thing they learn is that they play dirty.
Or more specifically, Will learns that.
They catch him during a rare time he's alone and before he even knows what's happening he's on the ground, being called names he doesn't understand. He doesn't fight back, he learned from his mom it's worst to fight back. His friends haven't learned that.
"Will!" He suddenly hears. Mike. He doesn't see him, but he knows he's making his way over. "Leave him alone!"
"Stay out of this, Wheeler!" One of the bullies says, shoving him. Mike, of course, shoves back. The bully doesn't like that. But before he can do anything a teacher starts coming over and both bullies take off. Not wanting to deal with an adult, and knowing Will probably doesn't want to either, he helps him off the ground and they both take off to where Lucas is.
"You guys okay?" He asks as soon as they reach him.
Mike huffs annoyed, "They're mouthbreathers." Will and Lucas look at him funny. "You know, stupid people. They're too dumb to know how to breathe through their noises so they use their mouths, Nancy told me about it." He turns to Will and softens up. "Are you okay? I'm sorry I wasn't with you."
Will smiles minusculely, "I'm fine. It's okay, we can't be together all the time." Mike furrows his eyebrows at that, they totally can be. Especially if stuff like this keeps happening. "Thanks for saving me."
Mike grins, "Always."
The first chapter continues, Will and Mike get closer, school remains to be fun, and a fourth friend is made. The Party is complete. The announcement of a third Wheeler child puts a damper on things, for Mike at least. His parents and sister are excited, all he sees is something else for his parents to ignore him for. They think he is just jealous, his friends think he is just jealous,
Will gets it.
Okay, he doesn't quite understand but he knows Mike is upset and is there for his Best Friend- because Lucas and Dustin are great, but they're no Mike. So he is there for Mike whenever he needs him and he doesn't hold his feelings against him. And Mike thinks he is the best person who's ever existed, but maybe he's always thought that.
All of this is why Will is the only one currently over at Mike's house. Mike is currently mad at Lucas and Dustin because they think he is being ridiculous about this whole thing. Mike knows he is not so they are not allowed over. He hopes they will realize he's right eventually because he does miss them, but for now he's fine with just Will being there. It isn't the first time and it probably won't be the last.
The two of them are currently reading a comic book which Will is making a face at word choices. He doesn't get it. "Why don't people write what they're thinking?"
Mike tilts his head in thought, "Sometimes it's too hard to put into words or you don't know what you're thinking. Symbolism makes it easier."
Oh. "I get it, that's why I draw. When it's too hard to describe what you're feeling, it's easier just to create it."
They fall silent for a few minutes but Mike is thankful for the change in thought. He's always really liked literature. "I wanna be a writer when I grow up." He says suddenly. Will looks at him.
"Cool, I wanna be an artist." Mike beams at him,
"You'd be great at that!"
Will grins, "You think so?" Mike nods enthusiastically. His grin widens. "Wait, I have an idea. What if we did a comic book together one day?"
Mike seizes him in a side hug, "Byers, you're a genius!"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah! Let's do it! We'll make the best comic book ever!" And, well, Mike's excitement is infectious. In the best way- always in the best way.
"Let's do it!"
The first chapter has come to a halt. Lonnie Byers has left. His family is happy to see him go but Will still misses his dad. His brother says it's fine to have conflicting feelings and his mother is trying her best to make everything okay again. He doesn't tell either of them he feels like it's his fault he left.
He doesn't tell anyone actually, but it turns out there's one person who knows anyway. One person who just has to look at him and knows. And when in their six years of friendship Mike had learned to read him so well he doesn't know but also, kinda, really doesn't care. Besides, he can read Mike just as well.
So when Mike invites himself over after school he has a feeling he knows the reason why.
Not that he's objecting.
No, he knows he needs to talk about this with someone, and who better than Mike?
"Do you think I could come over more now that... Lonnie's gone?" Mike asks on the way to his house and Will thinks he is not the only one that needs to talk. His dad had been mean to Mike too, said mean things about him just like he did Will. It's why he came over less and less over the years. Will never blamed him.
He wanted to get away from it too. "'Course, Mom loves you."
Mike smiles, "Cool. So, speaking of that..." There it is. "How are you doing?"
"It's... complicated." He admits. Mike nods. "He hurt mom, he hurt Jonathan. I'm happy he's gone, but he's still my dad, you know?" Will sighs. "I'm glad he's gone, I just wish I wasn't the reason why." There, it's out in the open. Why doesn't he feel better?
"Why do you think you're the reason why?"
"I heard him and Mom fighting before he left, it was about me. He said he didn't want a fag for a son, that I was too weak- a sissy. Mom kicked him out. If I wasn't-"
"No!" Mike cuts him off, swerving his bike and bringing them both to a stop. He won't let Will talk bad about himself. "There's nothing wrong with you, Will, you hear me? Nothing at all. Lonnie's a jackass and you're all better off without him." Will doesn't say anything and Mike is afraid he went too far. But then Will gets off his bike and flings himself at him in a hug. Oh. "Will?"
Will sniffles, "Thank you." Mike hugs back of course, he'll always be there to hug Will, as far as he's concerned there's no other option. And he knows Will will always be there to hug him too. "Thank you for being my best friend."
Mike rests his head on Will's, "Thanks for being mine."
The halt has been ended. The first chapter continues on.