'𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑' - eleven hopper

002

The next morning, Daniel got himself up on time for school, he quickly ate two eggos before getting dressed in a dark red polar top with a dark blue plaited button up shirt and some baggy jeans, with some beat up converse.

After putting a glass of water next to his mother's table and some hangover pills, he grabbed his backpack, quickly brushed his teeth and made his way to the garage where his bike, which had stickers from all his favourite bands, was waiting for him.

He walked his bike out before hopping on it, soon enough he was pedalling down the road towards Hawkins Middle School.

After a ten minute bike ride, he had finally arrived at his destination, he walked his bike over to the bike rack which is where his friends we're waiting for him.

"Hi guys!" Daniel said enthusiastically but slightly faltered when he saw their, more like Mike's, confused faces, he chewed on his bottom lip, an old habit he's done ever since he was young, as he observed his friends unusual behaviour in concern, only then did he notice that Will was no where to be seen.

"Where's Will?" Daniel questioned, knowing that if Will was of sick, he would've radioed in on the channel, which Daniel knew Will didn't, because Daniel always likes to keep the static on, so if any of his friends needed someone to speak to or worse case scenario - was hurt, he would know.

"Hi Daniel" Mike and the other boys greeted him, shooting their friend a quick smile before Mike started speaking "that's weird... i don't see him?" he muttered as Daniel parked his bike before walking closer to his friends and leaning against the rack.

"Yeah, where is Will? I have the comic i was meant to lend to him the other day but forgot" Daniel was even more confused when he saw his friends we're just as clueless as he was.

"Man, that comic was good" Lucas grins at Daniel before reassuming to the topic, "His mom thinks he went to class early because he wasn't home" Lucas explained as they slowly started to walk towards the school "I think she's right"

Daniel furrowed his eyebrows, knowing something's not quite right, he's known Will ever since 4th grade when he moved here from Italy, and he knows that he wouldn't go to school early without telling him or mike, which he didn't.

Before he could voice his opinion, Dustin quickly spoke up "yeah, he's always paranoid Gurtsky's gonna give him another pop quiz" Dustin snickered, just as Daniel was going to speak up, an all to familiar voice, that set a feeling of dread in their stomachs, decided to speak up,

"Step right up, ladies and gentlemen" he and the other boys groaned, Daniel didn't think this day could get worse, Will isn't at school and now what? Troy and his friend James, which Daniel considered unworthy of his attention, decided it would be funny to announce their presence and pick on them.

"Step right up and get your tickets to the freak show" Troy grins and turns to James, "who do you think would make the most money in a freaks show?"

"Midnight" he shoved Lucas on the shoulder "Frogface" he then proceeded to shove Mike on the shoulder "Toothless" he repeated his actions with Dustin, until he came face to face with Daniel "or beaver-teeth" Troy shoved Daniel on the shoulder.

Daniel's cheeks flushed in embarrassment, as he pinched his lips together almost subconsciously, Daniel's front two teeth are slightly turned in, since Troy noticed it, he never failed to point it out, having the time of his life making fun of his teeth or intimidating stereotypical Italian people to get him riled up, he didn't stop, not until Daniel punched him in the face last year and nearly got excluded, but then 4 months later when he didn't want to be seen as a wimp, decided to bully them again.