Stranger Things: Will The Wise (A Prequel Novel)

Chapter 2: "I've never had to hide as much as I do now."

It's Halloween, I've been dreading this day for so long. I keep thinking about how all my other friends are out there hanging out with each other living to their fullest and I'm here sat alone in my bedroom. 

I used to like the idea of being anyone I'd want and be the furthest from me as I could but this time round, we're not dressing up, we're not celebrating. It's a bad time time for everyone all around, my mom thinks about Bob even more now, they met around this time I think. School has been draining all my energy, I use it all hiding, I was always told I could hide well but it feels like every hallway in school is collapsing in on me, suffocating me. 

I've never had to hide as much as I do now, I'm scared that if anyone gets close enough to me, I'll blurt out everything that I was holding in. I'm not sure there would be anyone who would actively want to listen to me anyways. Mike is visiting in November and it's the only thing keeping me and El going. Once again, this makes me feel like shit because every time I plan on telling him everything, I start hiding again. It's gotten to the point where I prefer just not saying anything but it still gets harder to contain.

Neither me and El have made any friends at our new school, we sit at the table together like any other day. Sometimes I feel that she pushes me away or it's just me thinking that up; She has these moments where she's completely zoned out until I bring her back to Earth. I ask her how she's doing but she just hits me with an "I'm fine".

Unlike us, Jonathan actually managed to become friends with this weird but funny stoner guy. He was there for Jonathan when he was seriously distraught about Nancy and had no outlet, now his outlet is pot but that's a whole other subject. I honestly don't know how Joyce doesn't notice, she is really busy nowhere days with her telemarketing that she's never as close anymore. Jonathan's out all the time and El is non-receptive to me and she retrieves hundreds of letters from Mike in the post.

Every letter he sends to El makes me grow with more and more frustration, he hasn't thought once of sending me a letter, his 'best friend'. I feel like a paperweight to him, he only cares when El isn't around and I let it happen. I don't want to resent El for being with him because she deserves him but there's always this jealously that lingers over me that makes me feel like shit. 

I completely stopped drawing for ages since the whole mind flayer thing so I decide that I could try it to get my mind off everything. My mother isn't really present but she still thinks I take up drawing so she buys these bright coloured mechanical pencils that she thinks I use. 

I might as well put them into use now, I grab the pencil firm in my hand and grab an old book from my dusty shelf to try it. I'm not exactly sure what to draw. The thought of the swings, with Mike, come to mind. I remember it so vividly as if it happened yesterday, I wish he could save me from this school. I was sat alone on the swings during break since I had no friends and was too scared to make them. The swings were under willow trees and the grass was shadowed by them, the swings were casted under the noon sunset. 

Then I started drawing, I let my mind draw across the page from memory. It was when it all happened and I can't forget that moment even if I wanted to. I outlined everything, then drew in everything, shading it all. 

When I finished, I stood up to get a closer look. It was honestly surprising to me and I'm a tough audience, I haven't drawn environments in years. I'm tempted to add more into it but decided against it, I tear off tape from the dispenser next to me and stick the drawing right above my bed, it'll be there as a reminder and something to reflect upon. I stand back admiring it until I hear the door handle click, I swing around with great velocity to see Jonathan.

"Hey Will, do you want to go out? Like to watch a movie or something?"

I'd pretty much do anything other than stay here and be on candy duty, I'll leave that to mom.