Who Knew - Byler

27

It was recess time. The first periods they hadn't really done much except give out the books for this year (that Jane had stared at curiously in an attempt of understanding some words and not succeeding) and talk about non important stuff such as the school rules and "there's gonna be a meeting later today to officially begin the new school year".

The party was walking outside, Jane clasped to Max's side like she'd been all day, and Lucas by his girlfriend's side, creating two small different groups. Mike, Will and Dustin were together, walking a few steps before them.

Dustin kept looking around like an idiot, looking for the new girl, Claire. He had searched for her in class, but didn't see her. Maybe she got put in a different class? That would suck, he really wanted to be able to spend as much time with her as possible. As they walked outside, he recognized a girl with blond hair by the door.

He smiled fondly and quickly turned to the couple. "Hey guys, I have to go, I'll be back when recess is over," he said, and quickly left, Mike and Will shrugging it off.

"Better this way," Will thought. "More time to ourselves."

"Hey babe," Mike started, and Will felt as if he were gonna die right there right now, "come with me. I know a place where no one will bother us." Will nodded and smiled. Alone time with his amazing boyfriend? A big yes.

The two boyfriends rushed off leaving the other three behind. "What the hell?" Lucas said. "It's the first day of school, Dustin leaves to look for the girl he has a crush on and Will and Mike just disappear?"

"Dustin has a crush on a girl?" Jane asked, curiously. "Yeah, the other day at the swimming pool he wouldn't stop talking to this girl that I've never seen before," Lucas replied.

"Well, whatever," Max said, turning to Jane and smiling at her. "More time for ourselves."

They both started walking towards a bench and Lucas sighed in defeat and followed them. Apparently the party wasn't going to spend as much time together.

-

Mike sat down on the grass, his legs spread so Will could sit between them and lean back on him.

"Where do you think Dustin rushed off to?" Will asked, resting his head in Mike's shoulder.

"I don't know. Lucas said he was talking to a girl the other day, though. Maybe he likes her," Mike replied, playing with his hair.

"Don't you think the party has been kind of, more separated lately?"

Mike stopped touching his hair. "Well, maybe. But that isn't necessarily something bad, is it? We also need time for ourselves."

Will nodded, agreeing. "If that means I get to spend more time with you."

-

Joyce was putting some new products that had been brought over in a shelf when suddenly the door opened. Hopper walked in, wearing his usual clothes. He dropped his car keys on the counter and walked over to her.

"Hey, Hop," she said, with a smile.

"Can I talk to you? It's about Jane."

-

"... and Mike broke up with her like, right before school started, and I'm just so worried about how she's gonna handle all of this. Was it a mistake to take her to school? They said it wasn't dangerous, but I don't know, what if it is? What if someone recognizes her? And she doesn't know anyone, she's never really seen many kids before and now all of a sudden she's surrounded by hundreds of them and all of this might be just too much for her-"

"Hopper. Breathe."

Jim sighed. "Sorry."

"Now, I understand you're worried. You should be," Joyce said. They were both sitting in the candy isle, next to each other.

"I should?"

"Jane is so young, Hopper. She's like a baby and an adult at the same time. She doesn't know anything about the real world- she's had nearly 13 years of her life taken away from her! But, she's so strong. And she's seen so much, and lived so much." Joyce stopped for a moment and took a deep breath. "If you want my honest opinion, I don't think it was a good idea to take her to school already."

Hopper stood up. "It wasn't?" he asked, with a worried face.

"I mean, no, not really. Not because of seeing many kids, with the party by her side she'll be fine, but... I don't know, the kid can't read. She doesn't even have basic knowledge. She might get overwhelmed, or, I don't know... I just think this wasn't a good idea overall. But you're her dad, you're the one that has to make the decision. I don't mean to tell you what you have to do."

Hopper started massaging his temple. "No, no, you're right. I think I made a mistake."

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This chapter is a) super short b) super boring and c) just super bad in general i'm sorry

ALSO TYSM FOR 21k READS????? I STILL CANT BELIEVE THIS SHIT YALL IM- TYTYTY