it's my feeling we'll win in the end

Chapter 1: don't you try and pretend

"I'm just saying," grumbles Steve while opening yet another box of tapes to shelve, "you could at least talk to him."

"And I'm just saying that I don't think it's a good idea," whispers Robin.

"What, do you think I'm wrong about him being, you know..."

"No," sighs Robin, "I think he definitely is."

"Well then shouldn't you try to reach out? Tell him he's not alone and stuff?"

"I don't want to push him..."

"Then don't! Just talk to him," pleads Steve. "I would do it myself, but it's not exactly my area of expertise."

"No shit. Look, I know you like playing Yoda for these kids, but I'm still not sure-" starts Robin, before she's elbowed silent by Steve as he spots Will approaching the checkout.

"Hi guys!" beams Will as he sets down three tapes on the counter.

"Hey buddy! What is it tonight?" asks Steve, looking at the tapes. "Ah, The Goonies, Back to the Future, and The Breakfast Club. Awesome choices."

"Thanks! I've seen them all before, but they're too good not to rewatch."

"Nice, bud!" He clears his throat awkwardly. "Well, uh, I have to go... unpack some boxes in the back now. I'll let Robin check you out." He nudges her with an almost impressive lack of subtlety as he leaves.

"Oh ok, bye Steve! See you later!"

"So, The Breakfast Club , huh? That's one of my favourites," says Robin as she puts in a bag for him.

"Me too," grins Will. "I sort of like how... like, they're all weirdos but they find each other and then they're weirdos together."

"Yeah, that's really cool," she nods. Then, thinking of Steve's pleas, she continues, "So, uh, are you watching it with any other weirdos tonight?"

"No, Mom and Jonathan are working and everyone in the Party is busy, so tonight it's just me." He sounds a little sad when he says it.

"Well you know what, I've been meaning to rewatch that one again. Do you think we could watch it together?" She sees the panic in the boy's eyes and hastily adds, "As friends."

"Oh. Yeah! That would be great," says Will. He accepts partly because he doesn't want to be rude, but mostly because he's been lonelier than he cares to admit lately and wasn't looking forward to a night by himself. "How about seven?"

"Sounds good! I'll bring snacks," smiles Robin.

And bring snacks she does. When she shows up to the Byers house a few minutes past seven, her arms are burdened with no less than six grocery bags filled with chips, pop, candy, chocolate, and every other snack food imaginable.

"Woah," says Will as he opens the door.

"Yeah. I may have gone overboard," she says, dumping some of the bags into his arms. "But you're a growing boy and I skipped dinner so I think we might be able to do it."

Will somewhat awkwardly welcomes her in and shows her around. They hangout sometimes with Steve and the rest of the Party, but they've never hung out alone before. Earlier, when she had suggested they watch the movie together, Will had actually thought for one horrifying moment that she meant as a date. But once she had cleared that up, he actually started to look forward to the movie night. Now that she's actually here, though, in his living room, arms piled high with more junk food than he's ever seen, he's not exactly sure what to say. Luckily for him, Robin talks enough for the both of them.