the new kid

Chapter 2 - Ice

Mike turned to face Troy. "Why the hell did you punch him in the face?"

Troy grunted. "Because this asshole is the reason I'm suspended for two weeks." Mike laughed. "Two weeks? I can't believe he did it." Troy pushed him up against the wall.

"You wanna play Wheeler? Because I can play." Troy spit in his face and dropped him to the ground, leaving a lasting pain in Mike's back. Troy grabbed the blacked out Will and proceeded to beat him. Mike moved but was stopped by Mike's smaller friend James.

Watching his new friend get beat made him mad. He liked Will. He really did. And their connection felt stronger than a friendship. He had to do something. Mike kicked James somewhere he won't repeat and jumped on Troy.

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Will felt a headache and started to open his eyes. It was blurry and he tasted blood in his mouth. Mike turned around. "Will! Will are you okay? I'm so sorry. Troy blamed you for getting suspended and then I got in a fight with them and beat their asses but they are still in here and, do you need ice? You look like you need ice. W-Willy? Byers? Hello?

Will could hardly sit up. He just felt his pounding headache and could only hear Mike through a strange echo. He heard ice. He nodded several times and saw Mike run to the kitchen. He fell back on the ground.

As Mike rushed to find ice, Will noticed the two bigger boys on the ground. It looked like a messy fight.

Mike quickly rushed to Will's side with a bag of frozen peas. Will looked at his friend and saw blood dropping down the side of his face and a huge wound on his forehead. Mike kneeled and brought the bag close to Will's head. He smacked it away. "Wait wait what happened to you?" Mike rolled his eyes.

"Nothing, I'm fine." Mike tried to ice him again and Will smacked it. "Really? Can you just cooperate please?" Will saw the frustration on his face. He nodded.

Mike iced Will and looked at his watch. "Ugh, my mom's going to be home soon. I don't think you should go home like this. You can sleep here tonight, if you want. I mean, if it's okay with your parents." Will sighed. "I'll call her. Do you have a phone?" Mike pointed to one in the kitchen.

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Will: Mom?

Joyce: Will is that you? I've been worried sick. The school said you left in the middle of first period. What is going on with you? You've been acting out since we moved here.

Will: I'm sorry. I just– I got in trouble so a...a friend brought me home with him. Can–can I sleep here? I just am far away and I–

Joyce: No. Not on a school night. Maybe this Friday. But I want you home by dinner, okay? I can't keep track of you these days. Just please come home Will.

Will: Oh okay. Love you mom.

Joyce: Love you too.

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"Could I sleepover on Friday? I mean n-not if you have plans or anything. If you're free. Actually, never mind. You have friends and hardly kno–"

"Yeah cool. See you tomorrow! Wait are you okay to get home?" Mike looked genuinely concerned for Will. "Uh, I was just going to walk. I live close to Mirkwood so–" "No, no, that's way too far. You can ride on the back of my bike. It's cool." Will nodded and grabbed his backpack.

As the two walked to the bike, Mike noticed Will staring at him. To avoid making the situation awkward, he didn't say anything and just smiled a little to himself.

Mike wasn't sure if he liked Will. Well he liked him, but not sure if he liked Will as a crush. Mike new he was bi when he realized he had a crush on his best friend. One night Mike told him and their friendship was ruined forever. He wasn't going to let that happen again.

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Will spent the long bike ride staring at Mike's pretty hair. It was long and waved in the wind. He was so distracted he almost missed the turn to his street. "This is the end of my street, you can drop me off here," Will was a little embarrassed about his house. It was a lot smaller than Mike's house. "No really, it's okay. I can take you all the way."

"This is it," The Byers lived in a short one story home that looked a little run down. Mike then realized why Will didn't want to go all the way to his house. Poor Will.

"I'll just wait here to make sure you get inside safely." Will smiled. "Uh, o-okay. Thanks Mike." They stared at each other with bright faces for a few seconds until Will turned red. He quickly said goodbye and started to walk to his house.

When Will got to the front door, he knock and Joyce opened it. "H-hi mom." "What happened to you? Did you get in a fight? Who is that?" Will looked at Mike from across his yard embarrassed. He stepped inside and shut the door.

"No I didn't get in a fight I just tripped. It's no big deal, really. And that's my friend, Mike. I'm not really hungry for dinner I think I'm going to go to bed. 'Night, mom." Joyce was too stunned to speak. Will went to his room. It was small and very neat. He had drawings of his all over the walls and a couple posters from his older brothers favorite band.

By now it was close to 4, but Will was already tired. He had a long day. He got out his sketchbook and drew a picture of Mike. He was an interesting subject to draw. He had a lot to him. His big eyes. His freckles. His long wavy hair. Will stared at his drawing in awe. It captured the perfect boy. What? He's not perfect. And I don't even like him. I hardly know him.

He took a deep breath. It was going to be a long week until they hung out.

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Tuesday

"Morning, Will. Mom left for work so I'm driving you to school today." Will rubbed his eyes and saw his older brother standing at his door. Will sat up in his bed and yawned.

"What happened to you? Did you get in a fight?" "It's no big deal Jonathon. Honestly, don't worry about it. Can you just get me some cereal? I'll be in the kitchen in like five minutes." He didn't feel like talking about his fight. He just felt like talking about Mike.

Will got dressed in some clothes that weren't still in boxes. He walked to the kitchen and got a banana. "Will, let's go!" Jonathon honked. "Ugh, I'm coming!"

The drive felt long and weird. It felt like there was some awkward tension. Neither of them knew why. Maybe it was the bruises all over Will's body. Maybe it was the move. Maybe it was dad–

"Will. Are you going to school or not?" "What?" Apparently they had gotten to school and Will didn't even notice.

"Oh, yeah I'm going. Bye, Jonathon." He got out of the car and walked inside the school. Here we go again. Except this time I actually have to stay the whole day. He once again entered the principal's office and once again saw the five kids standing there.

They all turned around. Mike smiled. "William, can I help you?" The principal was clearly annoyed that he interrupted her again.

"Uh, yeah. I just don't know my schedule or where my locker is."

She sighed and pulled out a clipboard. "First you have English and your locker number is 127. Oh and William, before you leave?"

He turned around. "Yeah?"

"Don't forget about your detention this afternoon."