Just Breathe (Max Mayfield x Male OC)

Hopper

Avery's POV

I was walking around the school parking lot with Will. All of our friends were able to go home by themselves. Not us. Joyce always wanted Will to be picked up now, so that includes me too.

"So Max asked you out?" Will says with a smirk.

I turn to him. "What? No. We are just meeting up at the arcade. Well, if Joyce says I can." I tell him.

"Wow you are in denial. You saw how anti-social she was in class, but then she asks your about the arcade. She totally likes you." He says.

Does she really? She just met me. I hope she does.

Joyce pulls up in her car and honks the horn to let us know that she's here. We both walk over and get in the car. Will takes the back seat while I sit in the front.

"So how was school?" Joyce asks.

"It was pretty good. Mr. Clarke was cool with letting Avery tag along. The boys like him too." Will says back.

I smile. This is one of the first times I've actually felt welcome somewhere, and not like an object.

"How about you Avery? Would this be something you want to do regularly?" She says as she looks over at me quickly before putting her eyes back on the road.

I look over at here and immediately say, "Yeah, I think so. I had fun today. Speaking of, can I go to the arcade later tonight?" I ask.

"Avery, I'd like to talk to my friend Jim before letting you go. You are from the lab, and they would most likely be keeping their eyes out for you. I know you want to go to school and the arcade, and I want you to be able to. I just want to make sure that we are doing this safely." She says while keeping her eyes on the road.

"Oh um... okay. Don't worry about it. I'll just tell her I can't." I say looking down. My eyes lock to the digits on my arm and my heart sinks. Of course I won't be able to go. They are looking for me.

"No no honey. Just hold on. We'll figure something out." She tells me.

I just nod my head while keeping my eyes down.

The rest of the car ride was silent until we made it back to the Byers' home. Joyce walked straight to the phone and called her friend.

"Hey Jim, could you come over to my house right now? I have something to talk to you about.... Yeah.... Okay, thank you. I'll see you soon... Bye." She hangs up the phone.

"So he will be here in 5 minutes and we'll talk about what to do." She says.

"Okay." I mumble and go to the couch.

Will was in his room and Jonathan was gone so I just sit and stare off into space.

My thoughts start to cloud my mind. I think about my life. I know that's deep for a 13 year old. How am I supposed to ever have a normal life? I move things with my mind and light things on fire with my body or mind. I'm a freak. I'll never be normal.

My thoughts were cut off by the front door opening.

"Hey Joyce" He says.

I quickly spin to see who it was. It was him. The guy who found me in the woods. I remember, he's a cop. I jump up and back away from the door. I feel someone's hands on me to stop me, I let out a scream and cry.

"Hey hey. It's okay. This is Jim. He's the chief of police here in Hawkins." Joyce said, trying to calm him down.

"No. No. I'm sorry, I don't know what I did wrong. I'll just go. Please don't send me back! I'll just leave and you'll never see me again!" I said. I can't go back. They'll kill me. I tried to get away from Joyce so I can run. She holds me tight and doesn't let go.