The other Mayfield (Will Byers X Reader)

001. Day of the dead

Life was... pretty good, for once. It had been a full year since Eleven closed the Gate, and honestly? Things were finally starting to feel normal again.

Me and Will were together now — which still felt weird to say out loud, but in a good way. Max and Lucas... well, let's just say they're still a thing, mostly. They argue like every other day but somehow always end up holding hands again ten minutes later. It's confusing, but it's them. Mike and El were still inseparable — no surprise there.

Billy somehow managed to land a job as a lifeguard at the Hawkins pool, and Dustin was off at some nerd camp for the summer. Steve worked at Scoops Ahoy in the new Starcourt Mall, which was actually kind of awesome because it meant we could sneak into movies whenever we wanted. And that's exactly what we were doing tonight.

"Come on, Max! I see Lucas and Will!" I called, jogging down the stairs.

"Coming!" she shouted back. A second later, I heard the slam of her door and the thud of her sneakers on the steps.

We stepped outside into the warm summer air, cicadas buzzing in the distance, and spotted the guys waiting by their bikes.

"Hey," I said with a grin, leaning over to kiss Will on the cheek before hopping onto the back of his bike.

"Hey," he said, smiling in that shy Will way before we started pedaling toward Starcourt.

The mall glowed in the distance like some neon dream — loud, bright, and full of life. We ditched our bikes out front and waited near the entrance, watching crowds of people filter in and out.

Mike was the only one missing. Shocker.

"He's probably off sucking face with El," Max said, rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, probably," Lucas muttered, but he was smirking too.

A minute later, Mike finally appeared at the end of the hall, and we all went quiet, watching him make his way over.

"You're late," Lucas said, crossing his arms.

"I know."

"Again."

"We're going to miss the opening," Will complained, glancing toward the theater doors.

"Yeah, if you guys keep whining about it! Let's go," Mike said, already pushing ahead.

"If you guys keep whining about it, nye, nye, nye," Lucas mocked in a high-pitched tone, imitating him.

Max and I rolled our eyes at his childish antics as we walked toward the entrance, the boys close behind. Will fell into step beside me, sliding his hand into mine in a quick, familiar gesture.
"Guess some things never change," he whispered, a small, shy smile tugging at his lips. I nodded, chuckling softly.

"Just please stop talking, dude," Mike groaned from ahead.

"Let me guess, you were busy..." Lucas said, smacking his lips together in mock contemplation. I giggled, and Will smiled quietly at the display.

"Oh yeah, real mature, Lucas," Mike muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Oh, El, I wish we could make out forever, and never hang out with any of our friends," Lucas added, imitating Mike dramatically.

"Lucas, stop," Max complained while I laughed.

"Y/N and Will think it's funny," Lucas defended, grinning.

"Because it is," Will and I said in sync, laughing.

"Yeah, it's so funny that I want to spend romantic time with my girlfriend," Mike said, rolling his eyes.

"I'm spending romantic time with my girlfriend," Lucas said, wrapping an arm around my sister.

"Same here," Will added, giving me a small, awkward smile. I smiled back, shaking my head at him quietly.

We pushed through the crowd, muttering quick 'sorry' as we headed down the elevator. Once we reached the bottom, Lucas accidentally bumped into a girl.

"Watch it!!" she shouted.

"Yeah, watch it, nerd," Erica Sinclair added.

"Isn't it past your bedtime?" Lucas teased.

"Isn't it time you died?" she shot back.

"Psycho."

"Butthead."

"Mall rat!"

"Fart face."

Lucas blew a raspberry at her, and I rolled my eyes.

"Oh, now that was mature," Max muttered, shaking her head.

We pushed through the crowd and walked into Scoops Ahoy. Mike rang the bell repeatedly until Robin, one of the workers, finally had enough.

"Hey dingus, your children are here!" she called out sarcastically as Steve slid the window hatch open.

"Again? Seriously?" he groaned. I stepped forward and rang the bell again, a cheeky smile on my face. He let us in through the back.

"Come on, come on... I swear if anybody hears about this—" he started.

"We're dead!" we all finished for him. He let out a long sigh before heading back into Scoops Ahoy.

Mike peered through the door of the movie theater.

"All clear," he stated, pushing the doors open and heading for Day of the Dead, all of us following. We slid through the rows of people and finally plopped down in some unoccupied seats.

"See, Lucas? We made it," Mike said, leaning back in his chair.

"We missed the previews!" Lucas complained, crossing his arms.

"Still made it, fart face," Max said, making me giggle.

Will started handing out all the snacks, passing Lucas and Max Sprite and Skittles. Mike got some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, while Will and I shared a pack of M&Ms.

"You're welcome," he replied softly. I leaned up and gave him a quick peck on the lips before resting my head on his shoulder, letting the warmth of his presence calm me as we settled in to watch the movie.

The film had barely started when the theater lights flickered and the power went out. Groans and shouts of frustration rippled through the crowd, people stomping and complaining in the sudden darkness. I squeezed Will's hand, laughing lightly to keep my own nerves in check.

Eventually, the lights flickered back on, and the movie resumed to cheers from everyone around us. I glanced up at Will, expecting him to share the excitement, but my smile faltered. He wasn't smiling at all. His eyes were wide, fixed on the screen—or maybe something beyond it—and I could see the unease flickering there.

He touched the back of his neck, a subtle tremor running through his hand, and his breathing became shallow and uneven. I shifted slightly to rest my head closer to his shoulder, careful not to startle him, and whispered, "Will... are you okay?"

He gave me a faint, forced smile, but I could see the tension in his jaw and the way his eyes darted around, lingering on shadows that didn't exist for anyone else.

"Y-yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay," I said, glancing at him with a hint of suspicion before turning my attention back to the movie. I jumped as hands suddenly reached out from the screen, and Will laughed, making me swat his arm. He raised his hands in mock surrender, and I settled back into my seat, smiling as I focused on the movie, completely unaware of what the next few days would bring.

One summer has the power to change everything...