Burning Love | Max Mayfield X Maleoc |

1.2

Hawkins, Indiana, October 29th of 1984. Maldonado residence.

Jay was playing close attention to a new book his mother recently bought him, Dune by Frank Herbert. His head almost against the pages, his finger constantly pushing his glasses up. He was fully engrossed on his own world of books and thoughts, he was imagining himself living in the desert planet of Arrakis, having his own journey through the vast universe, being the chosen one, and maybe having a redhead Fremen girl like Chani. A unconscious smile tugged the corner of his lips as he nodded to himself, completely forgetting about he had to hang out with his friends and cousins at the arcade.

"Hey, buddy." called out his father Arthur, pulling Jay out of his thoughts who jumped a little in surprise, his father snorted softly and leaned on the door frame, his arms crossed over his chest, "C'mon, William and Joyce are waiting."

"Shit- I'm sorry! Bad word!" replied Jay throwing the book to his desk and standing up. Arthur could only chuckle at the sight of his only son rapidly sliding his shoes on and rushing out of the room heading downstairs, he followed after his son.

Jay spotted his mother and walked towards her, she was doing some paperwork of the family Real State business and Jay stood at her side, "Momma... Can you give me like... One million quarters, please?" he requested with a appealing tone, his face resting on the table as he gave the best charming smile to his mother.

Elizabeth raised her brows and glanced at her son, unimpressed, her eyes momentary drifted towards her husband who just shrugged softly, "But, Hayden, we own the strip mall." she stated, a bit confused of why Jay would want money if he could perfectly ask Keith for free credits.

"But it's not for me, it's for the others, Keith doesn't let the others key free games."

She sighed, still not understanding but she just nodded, "Well, I'm giving you 5 dollars, and be grateful young man." she reached her purse, pulling out her wallet and giving him the so precious quarters Jay wanted.

"Thank you! Love you mom!" Jay hugged her mother tightly before walking out of the house with his father, spotting a familiar green 76's Ford Pinto parked besides his father 84's 380sl Benz. He walked to the car of his aunt and greeted both Will and Joyce with a hug, Arthur did as well.

"You sure you don't want me to take them? You can stay with Lizzy and have some coffee." offered Arthur to Joyce, his thumb pointing at the house behind.

"Oh, no, Art, I'm fine taking them but say hi to Elizabeth from my part. Come on kids." Joyce denied with a kind smile, hugging her brother goodbye before getting inside the car, Will and Jay did as well as the car drove off.

After a few minutes on the road, Joyce finally dropped off her son and nephew at Palace Arcade, reminding Will for around ten times to stay close to his cousin in case something happened.

Now, reunited with the rest of the party, all the boys were around Dragon's Lair, watching and cheering for Dustin to win the unnecessary hard game that is.

"To slay the dragon, use the magic sword." spoke the woman's of the game, a certain seductiveness laced on her voice.

"Oh, Jesus! I'm in unchartered territory here, guys." exclaimed Dustin, his eyes focused on the screen as one of his hands moved the stick and other one pressed a button.

"Down! Down! Down!" repeated all the others, trying to help Dustin pass the game.

Dustin did what his friends told, advancing further on the game. The boys continued yelling and trying to advise Dustin but his comments did the contrary, Dustin just grew more tense and in a wrong move, the dragon in the game burned the knight into ashes.