Strange as IT Seems

Chapter 45: Blast from the Past

The bell has rung, signalling the end of the day, much to the relief of its many students. The once-empty halls fill with noise as students hurry to gather their belongings and begin the journey toward imminent freedom.

The three remaining friends of the Loser's Club who still enjoyed hanging out meet up at Bill's locker. Bill stuffs his sketchbook and coloured pencils, as well as a few felt-tipped pens, into his bag.

"When are you going to tell us about this big secret project you're working on?" Beverly asks.

"N-Not until it's all p-planned out," Bill says.

"You're not exactly subtle with your planning," she jokes, removing the cigarettes and lighter from her back pocket. "You spent the entirety of Biology sketching swords in the margin of the textbook. You know that Mr. Rolland is going to kill you if he finds out."

"F-Fortunately it's only in pencil," Bill says. "E-Easy e-erase."

"But why won't you tell us about it," Ben asks. "We're your friends."

"B-because I want to m-make sure that it's a...a really g-good idea b-before I share it."

"Why? You think that we won't like it?" Bev asks.

"Yeah, it's not like we're not Richie, we're not going to shit all over it," Ben adds. "Plus, we know you're a great artist Bill."

"One of the best I've ever seen," Beverly adds with a smile.

Bill's face flushes slightly and he returns the smile. Ben swallows his jealousy and the twinge of anger at witnessing this exchange and turns back to the conversation to continue boosting his friend's confidence, despite being rivals for Beverly's affection.

"And one hell of a storyteller," he grimaces, grinding his teeth slightly.

"Yes." She agrees.

"Th-Thanks guys, that means a lot, but W-Will and I w-want to make sure it's-s good before sharing. He's not-t sharing w-with his friends either."

"Is that the Will in our Bio class?" Ben asks. "The one with the bowl cut?"

"You're one to talk," Bev teases, mussing his hair that sometimes fell into that style.

Ben turns beet red and moves his bangs out of his face to avoid the comparison.

"Y-Yeah."

"Did you know that in 1983, he went missing and was lost in the woods for a week?" Ben says.

"Really?"

"Yeah, it was a whole big thing for Hawkins. I read about it in the library when I was going through their archives to learn more about the town, including that research lab just outside of the area. They thought he had fallen into a ravine at the quarry and... died, but he was actually lost in the woods. Nealy froze to death."

"Remind me to never go hiking in those woods alone," she shudders.

"And that lab got in trouble and shut down for chemicals leaking into the surrounding area and killing another student, Barbara Holland," Ben continues.

"Is her picture in the front hall in the trophy case?" Bev asks.

"That's her. It was a freak accident, but it's nice to know that she's still being remembered... anyways I'll see you guys later," Ben says.

"Where are you going?" Bev asks. "Isn't Book Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays?"

"It is, but I promised Mr. Clarke, the middle school science teacher that I would be one of the high school representatives for the A/V club."