Insomnia Boys BYLER

Chapter 2

TW HOMOPHOBIC SLURS

Will Byers biked home, It was late and he was supposed to have been home hours ago.

No one would know he wasn't home unless someone got home early, Which was very unlikely for the Byers household.

The three of them rarely spoke unless it was dinner or early morning before school, Joyce Byers worked all day while Jonathan went straight to work after school. They both were out till 10 usually but sometimes later, Leaving Will alone.

Will hated being alone in the house, He would much rather get made fun of while drawing. At least then he knew he wasn't utterly alone.

William Byers arrived home, Just like he thought no one was home.

He put his bike up and went inside, Making himself a snack and heading to his bedroom. He had to make it seem like he had been home for the past 5 hours.

He grabbed his pencils from his bag and displayed them messily onto his desk. Added unfinished work to the mess. No one would know he wasn't home.

——
Mike Wheeler had arrived home fairly quickly, He knew his mother would go off on him for staying out to late.

He had no reason to stay at school for so long, He just fell asleep often in his last class and no one would wake him. Mike knew no one tried because they all either didn't know him well, or they didn't care.

Mike slowly opened the door, He placed his jacket on the rack and put his shoes at the bottom.

He walked carefully hoping to avoid his mom and run to his bedroom. Maybe she wouldn't notice him just getting home and would think he was in his room the entire time.

But no, His older Sister made eye contact with him and smirked. He was confused, Why was she smirking? He glanced up towards the kitchen and there was his younger sister coloring. Mike instantly knew he was going to be caught.

His sister, Holly. She always screamed when he got home. He loved her lots and would often play with her when he got home, Just not this year.

So when Holly noticed Mike standing utterly still she yelled, "MIKE MIKE MIKE MIKE!!" she jumped up from her chair and ran to him. He forced a smile on his face, He knew what was about to happen and he couldn't stop it.

Before Holly could get close to Mike, Mrs Wheeler popped her head out.

"Michael Wheeler." She said sternly, "Where were you so late?" His mother questioned.

"I fell asleep.." He mumbled.

Karen Wheeler shook her head, Disapproving of his choices. "Go to your room." His mom started to turn away but his elder sister wanted to see him in more trouble.

"Don't fall asleep up there now." Nancy said with a grin.

He rolled his eyes.

"You've been having these problems all year now! You can't be falling asleep almost everyday?" Mike couldn't see His mothers face but he knew what she looked like.

She probably had a frown on her face, her eyebrows furrowed slightly and she would most likely aggressively cook.

And guess what? Mike was right.

Mike Wheeler had been having trouble sleeping recently, He often kept his eyes closed for hours until he finally fell asleep. He would wake up feeling horrible. He was always sleepy when he didn't want to be and he was always wide awake when he wanted to sleep.

His mother took him to a doctor and found out he had Insomnia. They suggested that it was related to stress but none of his family realized how hard it was to sleep. They figured it took a few extra minutes and he was just staying up late.

Mike walked up the stairs, He was still so tired but he knew if he fell asleep his mom would throw a fit.

He sat down at his desk, Grabbing his homework. He did a few questions but his brain was all mixed up. He couldn't concentrate.

He gave in, letting his head lay down on his desk just for a moment. But that moment was enough to make him fall asleep.

—-
The next day was like any other for the boys, Except now they had a small little memory that only those two shared.

Will met up with his friends, Max and El.

El, or better known as Jane to the teachers, Is Will's good friend. He wouldn't count them as best friends and neither would she.

They both shared a best friend though, making them be in the same social group. Neither were very social though. Max on the other hand was extremely loud, She often introduced them to new people who they hated.

Because of Max's social life, She had a boyfriend. He wasn't popular by any means, Even got made fun of. But he wasn't bullied for being "Girly" or a fag, He was for being nerdy. Making him and Will nothing alike.

"Morning!" Max shouted once Will was in a close enough range.

El smiled at Will before they all started fast walking towards Lucas, Max's boyfriend.

Will awkwardly stood beside El as they watched them kiss, This happened every morning for the past 4 months.

While standing there watching them talk and be all "couplely" Something caught Will's eyes.

The boy from yesterday, Mike.

Mike had eye-bags and he looked dead. But for whatever reason Will thought he looked nice.

He stared at Mike for a bit. Taking in all his features he couldn't the day before. He had brown eyes and his eyelashes were fairly long. He had on a red sweater today and the same jacket he wore yesterday.

But suddenly El was nudging him in the shoulder, "Will come on." she whispered. "The bell rang." El continued on, Grabbing hold of Will's arm and dragging him to English