𝗯𝗼𝘆𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗴𝘀 • 𝘀𝘁 𝘅 𝘁𝗯𝗽

chapter four

vance got out of the car and looked at the school in front of him. he and griffin had moved into their new home two weeks ago. it had gone pretty smoothly and the two boys had warmed up to everyone pretty quickly, griffin much quicker than vance. although things were relevantly better for vance, he still had his problems to work through. hopper and joyce were very understanding. atleast, they were understanding of what he told them about. they weren't aware of the fact he was a kleptomaniac. he didn't intend on them ever being aware of it, either. he could get through it just fine by himself, as usual. they were very aware of his anger issues, and mildly aware of his depression, but he told them those things were getting better. which, they were of course, but they weren't getting better as quickly as he had made it sound. but, joyce and hopper didn't have to know that.

after they got decently settled in, it was agreed upon that they should both start school. griffin hadn't been going to school before because their stepdad just hadn't wanted to sign him up, so it was a pretty big adjustment for him. but, he was excited — although, he was excited for most things. vance on the other hand, was not excited. it always sucked getting enrolled into a new school in the middle of the year. not to mention, he couldn't even hope for a nice start, because everyone and their mother had heard about his little incident over pinball. it didn't help that he would be older than most of the kids in his grade, since he had been held back, because that always caused another reason for people to avoid him. it was mostly because he beat the shit out of a kid, but he liked to think that there might be other reasons.

hopper set his hand on vance's shoulder shaking him out of his thoughts. "c'mon, kiddo, you're gonna get left behind." vance looked at the other two — eleven, and will — making their way into the school while talking. apparently, argyle usually took everyone to school, but hopper wanted to help vance on his first day, as he had for the other two on their first day. jonathan had still rode with argyle since they were practically attached at the waist. vance assumed they probably just wanted to smoke until they were high before class, but he didn't point it out to anyone. vance's first day was a little harder than it had been for will and el, though, as his was in the middle of the year. vance inhaled sharply. "okay." hopper patted him on the back. "you got this." vance gave a weak smile before hurrying to catch up with the others.

"you could've waited for me-" vance grumbled as he caught up. will looked at him. "sorry- you were in your own world, we didn't want to be late— my first teacher is pretty stern." el frowned at that. "but, he never left this world? he is still here with us. are you suggesting something with the upsi—" she spoke, panic starting to lace her voice. will lightly hit her in the arm. vance had gotten used to never hearing the end of the sentences, apparently there was things they weren't 'legally' allowed to tell him. vance thought it was bullshit, but he didn't express that. will cleared his throat. "it's an expression, el." eleven muttered a small 'oh' and silence fell over the three.

when they made their way inside, it seemed like the school had grown three times in size. vance flinched when will set his hand on his shoulder, earning a questioning glance from will. vance shrugged his hand off. "what?" he asked. will pointed down a hallway. "down that hall to the left will get you to the principal's office, where they'll give you your schedule, and someone will probably show you around. are you good going alone? i can take you if you want." vance scoffed. "i'm perfectly capable." will held his hands up defensively. "gosh, sorry- i was just asking." vance felt regret wash over him when he noticed the frown crossing will's face.

he sighed. "i'm sorry, i didnt mean to snap like that. its just— you guys keep treating me like a baby, and i'm not. i can do little things; like walk myself to the principal's office." will gave a small smile. "yeah, i'm sorry. i guess we just want to make you feel safe and cared for." that made vance physically recoil. he wasn't used to that. "whatever." he muttered. "i'll see you at lunch, or something." will started to reply, but before he could, vance was gone.

vance walked to the principals office in silence. he noticed every judgemental glare, he just pretended they weren't there. it was better than interacting, because that always led to fight, and then his reputation got worse, practically digging his own grave.

he stopped when he got to the door with the sign 'principal's office' in big, bold, capital letters. he was clearly in the right place. he hesitantly knocked on the door, and a very tired voice replied with a come in. vance pushed the door opened and walked in.

a young lady with dark brown hair pinned into a bun was sitting at a desk. sat across from her was a boy. he had dark brown hair and he looked very cheerful. too cheerful. it almost annoyed vance. but, as much as the word 'annoying' repeated in his head, he found himself staring — not in annoyance, in awe. the boy was absolutely stunning, and he couldn't deny that. he was like in almost a trance, it felt like. the principal knocked him out of that trance, though. "take a seat, will you?"

vance practically jumped. "right, yeah- sorry." he sat down on the other chair. the principal looked him up and down, rather  judgementally. "so.. just so we're clear, you are vance hopper, right?" vance scoffed. "duh." he rolled his eyes. she inhaled sharply. "great." she muttered sarcastically, and vance barely caught it. she looked back down at her laptop, before gesturing to the other boy. "this is bruce yamada, he'll be showing you around today." the boy immediately sat up and gave a wave.

vance could feel his face heat up and he just.. froze. that had never happened before. well, now he looked like a total dick, he couldn't even wave back. the other boy—bruce— hesitantly set his hand back in his lap, awkwardly. a sudden heavy silence fell over them. the principal cleared her throat. "okay, out with the both of you. you have classes to intend." both boys stood up, quickly leaving the room. the principal didn't exactly seem like she was in the best mood, and they didn't want to test their luck with her.

they walked in silence for a couple minutes — the hallways were practically empty now — but eventually bruce spoke up. "so! vance, right?" he looked at him with that same bright, charming smile and held his hand out. vance felt his heart stop and he almost froze again. luckily, this time he hesitantly shook his hand. "uhm.. yeah. nice to meet you.. bruce?" bruce nodded. "yeah! that's me." he let go of his hand, and vance just stared at his own hand. it felt all tingly and weird. he shoved it in his pocket and tried not to think about it. first day nerves?

bruce led him throughout the school, pointing out where everything was. they also went over his schedule and they easiest ways to get from one class to another. there was a short break between classes and it was a big school, so it was easy to be late. vance was kinda disappointed when the tour was over — most because he knew bruce wouldnt ever want to interact with him again.

"by the way, if you ever need anything, you can always come to me! we have a couple classes in common so you should see me there. but, if you cant find me, i'm most likely in the student council meeting room!" he grinned. "i'm the president." he threw out a subtle brag. vance couldnt help a small smile. "..okay. thanks. i'll keep that in mind." he said, rather quietly. "of course!" bruce shook his hand again. before stopping in front of a classroom. "alright, this is your stop! i'll see you around." he gave a wave, and vance could've sworn he saw the younger boy blink. he shook his head. that would've been weird. and crazy. his mind was wandering and he was imagining stuff. maybe he was going insane.
——————————————————
word count: 1,472
i am also going insane vance dw !!