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Mike has been living in California for almost fourteen years, at eighteen years old he went to college in California and then graduated, got some job in a magazine doing articles and style correcting, that lasted four years, then with a punch of luck and some contacts that Nancy have he got a chance to publish his first novel, under the publishing house Blooming Day the company was just a years old and the director of the house was in words of Nancy “the cousin of the boyfriend of her friend” and also a very easy going dude, Blooming Day had already some of the most promising authors of sci-fi and fantasy, and they got another one with Mike Wheeler. His debut novel Into the Upside Down quickly became a hit. And so, his life as an Author began, he signed a contract with Blooming Day and now in the course of ten years he has published another eight books. Not all of them were well received, but it was enough to live with ease. In between those years he got married, and then got divorced. His life in these fifteen years was a rollercoaster, and just when he thought that he got a break from the ups and downs…
So, there was this meeting, a really important meeting with another company something about “a collaboration with an artist,” which name wasn’t mentioned, “because it’s a surprise” his literary agent had told him “and I’m so excited for you to meet the illustrator” and yada yada Don’t get him wrong, he takes his job very seriously, and he really love his job, but he was under the deadline for his latest novel that didn't have time to really process the other things he needed to do. He only knew about the meeting because his agent called him the day before to remind him of what was happening, and again he didn’t pay too much attention.
And oh boy was that mistake.
Mike arrived twenty minutes earlier at the meeting room, his agent and the rest of the team were preparing everything. The room had a big table with eight chairs, four for his team and the other four for the illustrator team. On the wall they were projecting the presentation of the project, he didn’t have to do much really, he being in the meeting was more a formality and a way to let him know what is happening with his work.
His eyes were heavy, he could feel himself dozing out, his glasses almost falling was the thing that kept him awake, he only sleep three hours, he stayed all night finishing the last touches of his new book, his hands were cramping and were full of ink, now, all his work is in his computer, but he likes to write somethings in paper so he can get it out right from his head and sometimes that process can get a little messy.
After twenty minutes he heard the other team arriving, he settled into his chair and tried to look as presentable as he could. Then four people came into the meeting room, and you really can tell they are artists, the clothes, and the attitude, the room feels a little more alive. He looked at all four of them, and then his head finally registered who was in front of him. And Mike for a moment thought that maybe he was high, or finally going crazy. A man of his age so familiar.
Because after fifteen years of leaving Hawkins and moving to New York, he was there, a little bit older, a little tired, but still bright and brave like always, and so confident.
"This is William Byers; he will be the illustrator of the tenth anniversary edition of your first novel!" Said his agent with enthusiasm like it is the best news to ever happen. Which are for his pocket, but not really for his mental health or his heart. “And this is the team who will be supporting him …” the voice of his agent fades as he presents the other people.
The name echoes in his head, William Byers, Will, his childhood best friend who he hasn't seen in fifteen years, and Mike is quite sure that he hates him or just doesn’t care about him at all. And Mike just can stare at him, no words, no movement can do, he isn’t even sure if he is allowed to breathe near Will.
"Only Will is fine. A pleasure to meet you.” He says with a smile as he reaches his hand towards Mike to shake it.
“I'm looking forward to collaborating with you" Will said, as if is the first time they met, like they didn't save Hawkins and the world with their friends. Like they were strangers. And maybe that’s true, they are strangers, so many years have passed, Mike was sure he wasn’t the same as when he was eleven nor fourteen nor sixteen nor twenty, and Will probably isn’t either.
Mike, still lost in his thoughts, hesitates a little and then takes Will's hand. “Mike Wheeler, I´m looking forward to it too.”
He wants to stay like that for a little longer, the warmth in Will’s hand overlaps his cold hand, just one more second, so Mike can be sure that Will is there, that he is not dreaming, but then Mike feels how Will pulls his hand to remove it, the cold goes back to his hand, and he feels a little awkward and so stupid. He really knows when to lose his ability to speak in important moments. Because he knows he wants to say so many things, but his throat closes.
“Well, now that you know each other, let's get into the project.” His agent said breaking the bubble that the men suddenly went into. All the people in the room got into their place, and the meeting began.
⋆˚☆˖°⋆｡° ✮˖ ࣪ ⊹⋆.˚
After an hour, they were finally free from the meeting. Will and his team had to leave just after the meeting finished, because they had just arrived in California from New York and needed to sort something about the stay.
During the meeting there was a discussion about the dates of release for the special edition, the events that Mike would have to attend, something about marketing, and the number of illustrations Will would make. In the end it was decided that it will be an illustration per chapter and of course the cover.
“For this to work in time, you are going to need to meet with Mike at least twice per week in this month” His agent said.
“Do I really need to, Peter? I’m still busy with other things” Mike said, trying to escape the scenario of him and Will awkwardly sitting in his office —which is his house— twice a week.
“Mike, I know you, and I know that if you don’t see in the illustration exactly what you imagine in your head you are not going to like it, and then you’re going to blame me for that, so this is not negotiable”
His agent was right, he could be a little fussy with his characters, at the end of the day, they were one of the greatest creations he ever made. But if someone can make his words tangible that someone is Will Byers.
“All right” Mike resigned.
“Yes!” Peter said with emotion, he really was all dappy. “I don’t understand why you aren’t as excited as I am. I know you love his work.”
“I… uh.” Mike stutters. “What do you mean?” Mike says trying to sound as calm as possible.
“Come on Mike, I have been in your house a lot of times. You literally have all of his work in your library. I noticed. That’s what makes me a great agent.” Replied Peter with a lot of smugness in his face
“Oh, yeah. You’re right. Thank you so much Peter, it’s just that I’m tired and seeing him in person was kinda like a starstruck” As Mike talks his voice fades softly.
“Yeah yeah, I know, but now all the boring stuff is under my wing and you get to do the fun part. So go.” Peter says as he motions a shoo to Mike. “Go and rest.”
Mike takes Peter’s word to heart, when he arrives at his house, he tumbles down into his bed