Stars | Stranger Things x The Goldfinch

Chapter 8 - Soulmates

Ivanna's POV

We're sitting on William's bed, Boris and I taking turns with the cigarette, and William writing in his notebook

I can tell he appreciates us being here, but he doesn't want to talk about it.

William glances up again. He keeps doing that.
This time, his eyes linger on the cigarette resting between Boris' teeth and the smoke coming off of it.

He's not looking at it in a longing way, like he wants to try it, and he's not looking at it in a curious way, like he wants to hold it. He's looking at it as if he's studying it, its shape, color, shadows, texture, and size.
Like he's drawing the cigarette.

'Ah, so William is an artist? Interesting.'

It's not that surprising, though.
A quick glance around his room would tell you either he can draw, or he knows someone who can.

The walls have scattered drawings and posters.
There are multiple cassette tapes, papers, and some art supplies lying out on his desk.
Overall, though, the room is very clean.

Boris hands me the cigarette, and I lean over him, allowing me to get closer to the window.

"It's ok. It's 10:30 now. Jane and my mom are definitely asleep, and if Jonathan is awake, he's stoned."

"Мне бы хотелось, чтобы меня побили камнями." (I'd like to be stoned.)

I hit Boris on the arm.

'Not the time, Boris.'

"Are you sure, William?"

"Yeah." He looks up and smiles. "I'm sure."

I return the smile. "Ok."

We sit and talk off and on, learning some facts about each other.

"What are your family situation like?"

"Oh. I live with my father. My mother died when I was little. She was alcoholic and fell out window while drunk."

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry."

Boris smiles. "Нет, barley knew her. I was small."

"Oh, ok. What about you, Ivanna?"

"Also live with father. My mother was little drunk, took my little sister. Didn't watch as she crossed street. Both mother and sister died that night."

William looks horrified, he is very obviously at a loss for words.

"Sorry to dampen the mood." I smile.

Boris laughs, but William still looks deeply concerned.

"Hey, it ok. Sister was never full sister, mother cheat. Mother was leaving anyway."

William nods. He's a little less out of it.

"I live with my mom, brother, and half sister. El's my half sister, her dad died in a mall fire over the summer, so my mom adopted her. My dad lives in Indianapolis. Him and my mom have been divorced for years. He's an abusive asshole, and we don't talk to or about him."

"I'm sorry you've gone through that."

It's no surprise to me that Boris caught it too. It was obvious this man had done or said awful things to this boy.

"It's alright. He's gone now."

We sit in silence for a moment, all of us reading each others minds, feeling each others feelings.

The magical feeling these two give me warms my heart.

There is something special about them.

I feel connected, in a special way to these boys. Like I could tell them anything.

And of course, with Boris, that makes sense. We've been best friends for years.

William, technically, I don't know him.

But somehow, I do.

As corny as it sounds, my mind goes to soulmates.

When it comes to believing in soulmates, I think you're meant to have more than one.

One who's less responsible than you.

One who's more responsible than you.

And one who's just as responsible as you, just in different ways.

Somehow.

Someway.

I managed to find all three.

All three soulmates, before the age of 15.

'Where's my prize?'

579 Words

A/N:

Omg, why are these so short!?

I apologize for the late posting.

I have literally been procrastinating my life right now, I need to get better! 😭

But, as soon as I get my life together, I will be able to write a lot more. I promise, I'm working on it.

Something I really wanted to focus on this chapter was the nature of Boris, Will, and Iva's friendship.

The way I see them is, they click. I mean, as soon as they started talking, they could tell.

They have the type of friendship where, while they don't know each other very much yet, they could tell each other anything.

I'm going to be honest, that's kind of the reason I'm struggling.

It's the typical, 'I know where I want to go, but not how I want to get there' thing.

Them being so close right away was important to me, but I also don't want to make it to rushed or unrealistic.

Sorry you didn't hear anything about the Wheeler's yet, but I swear it's coming!

Trust the process!

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Please remember to vote!

Have a great day, love you ❤