new beginnings - a byler story

illinois

Before I get started I have a few notes for you!
italicized text - 1st person POV
non italicized text - 3rd person POV
Enjoy the story!

A melancholy Will Byers entered the car with his brother Jonathan. He drove away. Will started sobbing quietly. He couldn't bear the thought of leaving his only friends, but sadly he is. Worst of all Will couldn't help thinking about how much he will miss Mike. More than any of his friends.

Will had a thing for Mike. Clearly.

He didn't know that he liked Mike until he was about twelve. Will had a lot of internalized homophobia ever since he was a little kid. Mostly because of his dad. His dad would call him slurs and derogatory names. Will didn't really care, but he's came to realize that his father was right about him being different.

Anyway, Will, Jonathan, Joyce, and Eleven were headed to Illinois. The car ride took about an hour and fifteen minutes. Will and his brother talked during the drive.

"Are you excited to see the new house?" asked Jonathan. "Uh, sure. I guess." Will didn't sound too excited. "Hey, Will. Everything okay? I know leaving your best friends can be really hard." Will replied, "Yeah I know. I'm alright. I guess I'm just sad because Mike asked me to see a movie today. But, funny thing is we literally left Hawkins today." "When did Mike ask you?" asked his brother. "Last week. We wanted to see The Breakfast Club together."

Jonathan noticed that Will seemed so much happier now that they were talking about Mike. I guess Will really wanted to see that movie with him. How is it that Will was on the verge of tears but now that we're talking about Mike he's perfectly fine? I don't really get it but I guess that's how Will is.

Eventually Jonathan and Will made it to their new house. El and Joyce were a few minutes behind so that gave Jonathan and Will to grab some lunch.

The two got pizza and brought back some for El and Joyce.

The first day in their new house went pretty well. Will unpacked his belongings into his new room. He was digging things out of his bag until he found two pieces of a ripped photo in a ziploc bag. It was a photo of him, Mike, Lucas and Dustin during Halloween of last year. The photo was ripped in between Mike and Will.

Will stared at it for a while. He started to get mad at himself for ripping his favorite picture. He rummaged through his bag for some tape and eventually he found some. Will taped the picture back together and then taped it on his wall right next to his bed.

That night while Will was laying in his bed and ready to sleep he started to hear Joyce talking on the phone. Joyce was in the living room setting up therapy appointments for El. At this hour? Really Mom? I had a huge day I just want to sleep. Will thought to himself.

Hearing El's name made Will think. He thought about how Mike would rather see her before Will. He thought about how much he wanted to be El in all those moments when she would be wrapped around Mike's arms.

It made Will sad.

Sad to know that he will never be able to be wrapped in Mike's arms just like El.

And sad to know that no one will ever view two boys embracing as "right."

Will drifted off. He dreamt of going to the movies with Mike. Just the two of them, together.