Keep me Closer - Billy Hargrove - Stranger Things

4: Different

One night when everyone was asleep, except for me of corse, I got up to get water. I was walking in the kitchen and just stared out the window for a while. I was tired but my head was spinning and it wouldn't calm down. So I was hoping a walk would help me think more clearly and when I got back I could go to sleep. At least for a couple hours. So I did. I went on a walk. By myself. At night.

I was walking in the street towards town. Our house seemed in the middle of no where but honestly it was only like a 40 minute walk to town and like 5 minute drive. I mean I guess it depends what part of town, but still. Every once and a while a car would pass. I walked to the nearest play ground which was a good 25 minute walk and I just sat on the swings.

The sound of footsteps behind me interrupted my thoughts.

"Am I seeing things? Or is that really you Byers?"

I looked behind me. "How did you know I was here?"

" I saw you walk in here on my way home. "

" Oh. "

" What brings you here this late?"

" My thoughts I guess." I simply said.

"Yeah, what's does a girl like you think a about?" He asked. Not being rude but just as a general question.

" Freak stuff." I teased and half smiled glancing at him.

" I bet. But no for real." He said pulling a lighter and a cigarette out of his back pocket of his jeans and sitting on the swing next to me.

" Oh nothing interesting I'm sure."

" Well it must be to keep you awake this late. "

" Oh just wondering if there's other intelligent life out there. And if so, how intelligent?"

" Hmm.. that's pretty deep for a freak." He teased back.

"I suppose."

" How come I'm always asking all the questions?" He gave a small smile.

" I don't know, why do you?"

" Well, come on ask me something. I can take it."

" Why is there a bruise on your lip and above your eye brow?"

"How did you notice you barley glanced at me?"

" I notice what I expect I guess. Or maybe I notice because you're not the first."

"First what?"

"I- I don't know. I don't even know why I said that. First.. guy I've seen with a bruise? I don't know. Honestly." He just stared at me. "Wow that was annoying." I nervously laughed. "But seriously you didn't answer."

" Oh I just.. tripped earlier. "

"Mmm.. a trip. Wow. How original. "

"What?"

" What did you trip into?"

"A- pole. "

" How?"

"Shoelace. "

" When?"

" Earlier after school."

" Who hit you?"

" My da- eh- How did you do that?"

"I have a gift." I half smiled. " Why did he hit you?"

" I raised my voice at my step sister."

"I'm sorry."

" It's okay."

" You can say it's okay all you want. But that doesn't mean it is. I hope you know that."

"Why weren't you at school today?" He asked.

" Doctors appointment."

" No no, see you used that excuse the other day. Doesn't work two times in one week."

" Fine, I skipped."

" Why?"

" I didn't feel like going. "

" Wow Byers, I didn't take you as a skipper."

" What did you take me as?"

" A freak mostly."

" Mm.. were you right?"

"Not sure yet." - " Well.. do you need a ride home?"

"Um.. sure.. I guess." I half smiled.

We walked to his car and he threw his cigarette on the ground and got in the car and I got I the passenger seat.

"Where do you live Byers?"

" Ohhh..now I see."

" What?"

" The other day you wanted me to go to the party but I said you didn't know where I lived so you couldn't pick me up. But now, you'll know where I live."

" Actually that wasn't my intention but thanks for giving me that idea." He winked and I didn't say anything back I just sighed. "You're smart Byers, what college are you wanting to go to?"

" I haven't decided. Maybe NYU or maybe..? I-I don't know. I'm undecided."

" Okay for real I need to know where to turn Byers, where do you live?"

" Go right then the first left and then keep going straight until I tell you to sto-" I started and was cut off by the real world glitching into the appearance of the UpsideDown.

" Quinn?" I heard his voice echo. " Quinn you okay?" I rubbed my eyes and everything went back to normal. I blinked a few times and took a deep breath. I looked at him and he glanced at me and back at the road a couple times. "You okay?"

" I- I- I-" I tried to speak but words wouldn't form.

"Byers, what's wrong."

" I don't- I just-" I blinked a few more times and breathed a few times. " I- it's nothing. Just my eyes playing tricks on me." I said looking out the window.

" Byers what ha-"

" It's nothing Billy, it's just dark and I thought I saw something. It's nothing. I'm sorry. "

" Why are you sorry?"

" I-I don't know. Okay my house is the next one on the left." I said clearing my throat and unbuckling. " Thanks for uh, taking me home. I'll see you Monday." I said fragilely.

He looked at me seeing past my facial expression and seeing the fear hidden in my eyes. " Night Byers." He said and I walked to my porch and he drove away.