Chapter Text
I didn't mean to kiss you
I mean I did, but I didn't think it'd go this far
The lunchroom is packed today. Mike, Dustin and I are sitting in our usual spot in the corner, El and Max sitting at the opposite table engrossed in their own conversation. I’m helping Mike with his Spanish 3 class, asking him the prompts on the cards with my decent speaking ability, when Mike says in English, “Man, this Spanish test is gonna kick my ass.” Mike wallows in his self-pity, burying his head against the leftover flashcards in his hands.
“When is Spanish not kicking your ass?” Dustin comments, right when I say, “Come on Mike. It’s not that bad. Let's try again.”
Mike glares at Dustin, then with a lighter look says to me, “Okay, yeah. You’re right.” He pauses to sigh, then says, "What would I do without my favorite tutor?” Mike gives me a sincere smile. I feel redness grow on my face at his words. ‘Get it together, Will.’
“Fail?” Dustin quips with a self-satisfied look, fork in hand. It turns into a grimace as he feels Mike stomp on his shoe. “Hey! Am I wrong?”
I tune out the rest of their bickering, sensing something. Feeling watched, I turn my head to the side. I vaguely recognize the eyes looking back at me. I glance at the rest of the people at the table, spotting Lucas next to the person staring. ‘Chance,’ It hits me.
Every Friday, Lucas sat with his basketball friends, Chance being one of them. My eyes bounce between Chance and Lucas, unable to maintain eye contact with his heavy stare. My eyebrows furrow. ‘Why is he looking at me like that?’
He abruptly looks away as one of the other Basketball players says something to him. I decide to do the same. ‘Weird.’
I didn't mean to kiss you
Now you can't focus on the road when I'm in your car
I listen to the rest of Mike and Dustin's dispute until the bell rings.
“Saved by the bell!” Is what Dustin ends on. As we all grab our bags and Mike packs up his study gear, I feel eyes on me again. I try to ignore them as we walk to our lockers, but it ends up a difficult feat when I hear the recognizable voice of Lucas behind us.
“Yeah dude, I’m not sure. Christian Academy has definitely gotten better over the years. I’m kinda freaked for this upcoming game.” Chance nods in reply.
The two of them catch up as we make it to our destination. Chance leans his side against the wall, waiting for something.
“Hey guys,” Lucas acknowledges, turning the pad of the lock on his locker.
“Hey man.” Mike responds, fiddling with his own lock.
I would give a comment back, but I’m struck by the same eyes from earlier still staring. Goosebumps raise on my neck. ‘Creepy.’ I think, opening up my locker to grab a canvas and some other things for my upcoming art class.
Now we're going 100
Your hands aren't on the wheel
'Cause you're just staring at me like you're not convinced that I am real
I’m spun up in my thoughts when Mike's soothing voice hits my ears. “Hey, Will. I’ll see you later, okay?” I glance at Mike's slightly concerned look and give him a reassuring one. “See you later,” I wave goodbye.
I hear the rest of them make their exits. I’m stuck juggling all my supplies, when a note appears on the shelf in front of my face. I turn my head to the culprit, seeing him walk away after shooting me a discreet wink. ‘Okay, that's Really Weird.’ My curiosity gets the best of me. I set my stuff back down with a sigh, reading the note with wide eyes.
Byers,
Meet me after school Picnic table
behind the school at 2:30
-Chance
I go through the rest of the day slightly paranoid. ‘Why the hell does he want to meet up with me?’ I ask myself during final period. I thought back to the last few years. After Lucas made it with the popular kids and I came back with a sweet tan and cool stories from California, the bullying dialed down by a lot. Yeah, there are still lingering rumors, but I haven't been pushed or shoved in maybe 2 years. ‘What’s his motive? Lucas has said he’s one of the good ones, right?’
Once the last bell of the day rings, I’ve made my decision. ‘Really, what’s the worst that could happen?’ I walk out of the building, backpack on, picking the paint flakes left on my nails from earlier. ‘That one’s gonna stain,’ I think.
I grab my bike and guide it through the grass, then find the trail that leads to the Picnic table. Nervously staring at the ground, I prepare myself for what's to come. ‘Here goes nothing I guess.’
As I trek down the path, I spot the table in the clearing. ‘Empty.’
I prop up my bike on a tree and then check my watch. ‘2:30’ it says. ‘I guess i’ll wait..’
It’s 2:35 when I hear the rustling of a bush. “Byers, you showed,” Chance says casually, hands shoved in his lettermen's' pockets
“Uh. Yeah. What is this about?” I try to respond the same, but I’m unable to hide my nervous energy.
“Nothing much. I just have a favor to ask.” ‘Favor?'
“What kind of favor? Do you need, like, a tutor or something?” I think back to mike because when am I not.
He chuckles, shaking his head “Uh, no, nothing like that.” He’s playful in his reply. I grow more confused.
Picking at the paint again, I finally get out, “Then.. What is it?”
There's a pause, then a breath, and then Chance says something I’d never expected. “I just wanted to see if the rumors were true” I feel the blood leave my face. We are enveloped in silence; the only sound is the wind swaying the trees.
Wanting to escape the silence, I say, “What?” quite enough I’m afraid he can’t hear me.
“The rumors. Are they true?” He appears careless, but I can tell from his surveying that he’s just as nervous as I am.
“I don’t know what you're talking about,” Is what I say, even if I definitely do.
“You’re gay, right? Look man, I won't tell anyone.” Chance still looks around nervously, then, “I’m kind of... In the same boat.”
“You’re, you’re what?” The blood comes back to my face. ‘What did he just say?’ “That's what this is about. I figured if anybody, you at least, might understand.” He looks at the ground, ashamed.
“Oh,”
“Yeah.”
Silence. Very awkward silence.
I decide to be the one to break it. “So, the favor... What. what do you mean?” I grow nervous again. Chance makes me uneasy even with the reveal. A favor could mean a lot of things.
“I was thinking. Maybe you would want to, I don't know, come over or something. My parents shouldn’t be home for a couple hours. Nobody would find out,”
‘I’m going insane. Some sort of wizard must have cast a spell on me, and this is some kind of fucked up vision.’
“Look. I know this is weird. But I figured you might be up for it. Y'know, being one of the only rumored queers in town. It’s not like you try to hide it” Okay, I should say no, especially with that last comment.
But then he says,
“Just think about it. When's the next time you'll get some action like this?” And he has a point. Before today, I had felt completely alone. The only gay guy in Hawkins.
And now we're at 180
And I can finally see
But then it's over in a second, crashed the car into the tree
I’m desperately trying to get over Mike. Maybe this is my chance. ‘Ha. Chance.’
After much debating, I say, “Okay.” If Chance is surprised, he doesn’t show it.
“Okay.” He looks at me with that weird stare again. ‘Maybe this is a mistake. I mean, I still don’t know what he wants from me besides coming over.’
“Just kissing, alright? I’m not. I don’t want to do anything else.” Chance looks surprised by that, not expecting me to say his motives out loud.
“Yeah, sure. We can just make out.”
“Cool”
“Uh huh. Yeah. Just,” Chance looks over to the bike
“Bike over in about 30. Leave it on the side of the house behind the bushes. I don’t want anyone to see.”
“Sure.”
Y eah, I can see it all happen
You'd rather die than take your eyes off me
“Okay,” Chance walks up to me, looks around paranoid, then grabs my face quick. I have no time to think before his lips hit mine. My eyes are left open in shock. ‘My first kiss.’
“I’ll see you, yeah?” He backs up, looking sheepish. He hands me a paper from his pocket with his address and a short description of his house. I’m stunned but manage to get out a short, “Yeah.”
He leaves quickly through the bushes, and I’m left with my sentiments. ‘What just happened?’
I stand there for I don’t know how long. I realize I need to get going before I lose precious time. I look at the address one more time before grabbing my bike and heading to his house. On the way, my internal monologue is a mess.
‘What if someone finds out? Bad idea. This is a BAD IDEA. Do I even like Chance like that? I don’t even know the guy all that much. I mean, he is attractive. With his dark hair, tan skin, and lean muscles. Okay, definitely attractive. But Mike… What the hell do you mean, ‘but mike,’? You are trying to GET OVER HIM. There is no way he likes you like that. I mean, he dated El freshman year! He’s straight as an arrow,'
‘Finally.'
I see his house standing tall in the middle of the neighborhood. It towers over me as I approach. I slip off of my bike and quickly tuck it in the bushes next to the house. I make a brisk walk to the front door, ringing once and glancing around at the rest of the houses.
I don't love you like that
I'm a careful driver
And I tell you all the time to keep your eyes on the road
But you love me like that
You're a reckless driver
And one day it'll kill us if I don't let go
Chance answers, pulling me in fast, and glances around in the same manner. Then he closes the door and locks us in.
“Hey Byers. Long time no see.” He shoots me a wink.
“Uh, yeah, sure.” I give a small laugh. He chuckles back.
“Alright, this way.”