False Start

Episode One: The Vanishing of Will Byers

November 6th 1983

The night will byers goes missing...

You work at Melvalds along with Joyce Byers you had the day shift after school shift you often do during the week and work until Mrs Byers comes in to do nights the system you two have at melvalds works out pretty well your shift ends at 8:00pm so as soon as you organize the shelves and do all the go backs cash out the last costumer of your shift you can clock out.

Today was a long shift you had a costumer who was upset about a coupon that she thought was not expired and could still use at melvads and after several times you tell her that she couldn't use the expired coupon she walked away angry you're happy to be free from work though what you love working at melvads is that its close to the theater hawks where jonathan works at the booth, Jonathan is Joyce's eldest son you two have been friends since you and Dustin moved to hawkins, it was jonathan who helped you get the job at melvads, you even did an interview with his mom who helped train you the byers were like family to you, although you think mrs byers always thought you and jonathan were something more than just friends but you assured her that you guys are friends platonic friends.

A bell signifies your arrival at the theater alerting jonathan of your arrival, he was working at the concession stands tonight he looks tired which you can understand it's been a particularly long school year so far with jonathan having to work more shifts to support his family.

"Welcome to the hawk can i interest the young lady anything special tonight?"

You giggled and shook your head and smiled up at jonathan speaking in a fake british accent "No thank you kind sir" and curtseyed.

Jonathan laughs, knowing you say that. It's been a running joke between the two of you for as long as you can remember, you stand now in front of the counter and you lean against it so your in Jonathans space after being friends for so long personal space doesn't exist between you two. You're the only person that Jonathon lets get close to him on a regular basis which melts your heart a bit you feel bad for him his family has been struggling a lot and he puts on a brave face for his mom and will all the time.

"So you're almost done to pick up our idiotic brothers?" Tonight as usual Will and Dustin are at Mike's house playing a game of D&D they would bike over as soon as school is out while Jonathon took you to work tonight so he was your ride back for the night.

He busies himself behind the counter wincing at your question, "I can't Joelean called out so i picked up and extra shift, and it's good money" he rambles on as he tries to organize the straws holders.

You nood in understanding. He doesn't have to explain himself to you, which he is relived by.

"It's ok. Is my bike still in your trunk?" you asked Jonathon.

"Yea I can get it for you since im kinda ditching you tonight" Jonathon said.

You waved him off reaching over the counter to grab his car keys from him, "no need I'll go get it myself so you don't get in trouble with the boss" Jonathon's boss is an older guy creepy and kinda scary.

"Im assuming that im taking Will home tonight?" you looked at jonathon raising your eyebrows at him.

"It'll be late by the time you get the boys, and you'll have Dustin. We only live a couple blocks apart, you can just bike with Will until you get to your street." Jonathon said.

"Are you sure you asked? I know Will is afraid of the dark."

"It's fine Stacey, You're already doing enough being there for the most of the ride, Im sure Will can survive the last five minutes alone."