True Hues

Yellow

October 14th, 1985

It's been two weeks, I still miss home. Lenora Hills, California, this is all still new to me. Eleven's been taking the move rather well, I haven't, if I'm honest. I start high school today, and with no new friends or transferring in the middle of the month, surely I'll be nervous. Jane isn't, she's been excited to go to school, like a normal kid, and experience it first hand. I just want to graduate...

[ Will's Schedule ]
Algebra
Englid
Physical Sciences
US History A
Drawing 1

Making new friends is hard, I understood that with Mike, Dustin and Lucas. Even walking into my classes is tough enough, I don't know anyone here, and in my first two classes, I just kind of sat there... of course I paid attention but I can't help but feel so awkward.

At least Physical Science can't be that bad...

"Class." The teacher announces as I walked in, "we have a new student, come introduce yourself."

I felt so embarrassed. I stood at the front of the class, now I kind of realize how Max felt a year ago. "My name is..." I pause, I was so embarrassed, maybe looking at someone will calm my nerves. I look around the room and focus on someone whose eyes are down on their paper, they sat alone. "My name is... Will Byers." I said. just focus on them... "I moved from Hawkins, Indiana..."

The teacher seemed to scour the room, looking for an empty spot, looking at the kid I was watching. "You can sit next to Ramirez in the back."

I gulp a little, and nod before walking over to the back desk and going to sit next to the kid I was watching, my seat was near the window. I looked at the kid, they seemed to focused on what they were doing, I sat down next to them. "Hi..?" I said, trying to stir up some conversation.

"Hi..." the kid says finally, putting their stuff down to look at me instead, they rested their head on their arm. "I'm listening..." they added. "My name is Fernando, Ramirez." They said. "Fern, is what I go by." They added quickly after.

"That's um... that's cool!" I say, trying not to seem awkward.

Fern laughs a little. "It's not cool, my name is... well..."

"Different?" I asked.

Fern laughs a little and adjusts their posture, now more focused in me. "You could say that..." they said and looks at me. "And you're Will Byers... from Hawkins, Indiana." They teased.

I went to say something else in response when the bell rang.

Fern turns forward to pay attention to the class. I just remain confused. What else was I going to say? I didn't know how else to respond, but I turned to focus on the class, anything but physical science, usually that's boring... it won't be like Mr. Clarke's class, but Fern seemed nice enough. I wonder if this is the only class I have with them.

By the time I finish that thought, class is over and Fern gets up and starts walking away. I quickly get up and grab my backpack, attempting to catch up with them, but I lost them, maybe they had the same lunch? My next class had lunch before next period, so hopefully they're in my lunch.

Fern's POV

Walking to lunch is hard, especially in all the crowds, I found a seat though and pulled out my makeshift lunch, my mom was always a bit rushed to get my lunch done, and I told her I could do it but she insisted.

I think Will Byers is a great kid, I think they're interesting, well, here we are, me sulking and eating lunch.

I wonder if Mateo's picking me u—

A clatter of a lunch tray was set down in front of me, and it was Will, from Science Class.

I smile. "Hello, how did you find me?"

"You're the only kid sitting alone at lunch..." Will joked and smiled.

"Oh! Right." I say and pick at my food, I turn to look at him. "Do you play DND?" I asked him, I couldn't help but question him.

"I used to..." Will admits.

"You should join Lenora Dragons." I insisted. "It's a DND club that I run with a few of my friends."

"You guys have a DND club?" Will asked, almost surprised.

I gently nod, I didn't know Will would be so interested. I wish I made flashcards or something. "I started the club, my best friend Owen is Vice President and Co-Dungeon Master."

Will seemed more excited the more I spoke about but his expression changed, like he remembered something. "....I can't..."

I seemed confused before smiling. "I totally understand!"

Will seemed surprised, why? Was it because I didn't question why he didn't want to join? "It's not because of you... it's just my friends in Hawkins promised we wouldn't join any other campaigns..."

I nod. "I totally understand, it's okay. It's not like I'm forcing you."

Will seemed distraught, like he missed home.

I look at him. "It's okay."

A part of me inside felt different.
Like the hue turned from yellow to a pink,
I felt like this... friendship...? was perfect for us
It can't be that... can it?

"I guess I should be asking if you're okay." Will says, and his voice now suddenly seemed clearer, like I zoned out.

"Sorry, I'm distant today." I excuse myself, smiling at him.

Will seemed concerned, then again, it was fair to be that way.

I start to hand something over to Will? A notebook, I only let friends close to me see it.

Will's cheeks flushed to a soft pink, I could see it. "What's in it?"

"I don't usually show people this..." I admit and taps my sketchbook cover. "I draw a lot."

Will slowly looks through the drawings Fern had in his sketchbook, smiling a bit, he liked the sense of familiarity, since he too also doodled. "Wow, these are so cool!!! You drew these?"

"Yeah... it's a bit embarrassing." I said and scratch the back of my neck.

"Hey, do you want to come to my house? Maybe we can hang out, you can meet my brother and sister!" Will exclaimed and smiled at me. He seemed really excited about it.

I smile at Will. "I like that idea." I say to him, slowly reaching for my sketchbook.

Will formed a small smile across his face and his cheeks flushed to a pink. "It's a... date... then."

I laugh. "Sure! It's a date."

A/N: I finally got around to writing chapter 1 of this story, I hope people like this dumb oc x canon character fic I have going on. <33 thanks for being patient.