Back to Hawkins || ➵ Byler

Chapter 17 ➵ Robin Buckley

Will's Pov:

"Ooh, this looks cool." I mumble to myself as I slide a book off the shelf into one of my hands.

"The Magician Apprentice." I read from the cover. "Huh."

I place the other book in my arm onto the floor as I examine back cover of the new one.

I slide the book back on the shelf.

I can't find anything.

"Ooh. What's this?" I pull out another book that says "It".

On the cover, there were a pair of scary orange eyes inside of a drain, and a red balloon floating by it.

"Maybe it's some kind of dragon in the sewers." I say.

I don't know? I'm in the fantasy section, for all I know, it could be a unicorn or a creepy fairy.

But by the looks of it, it looks more like a horror novel or somethin. (No pun intended)

"I wouldn't read that if I were you." I hear a whispering voice from behind me.

"I wasn't planning on it?" I turn around and see that the voice I heard was Robin's.

"Robin?" I ask.

"Will. How are ya? Why are you here? Didn't you move to New York?"

I am stunned by all of her questions.

"Yeah, I moved. My family is just here to visit the Wheelers." I give her a small smile.

"Sounds cool.." she says

I go to pick up the book that I dropped on the floor earlier and place it between my hands.

"Oh- that's a good book." Robin points.

"Is it?"

"Yeah, its about- uh. Two princes falling in love. I didn't know if you read that on the cover.." Robin trails off.

"Oh yeah... I did read that. I just thought it would be different... or cool to read something like that because... um, because-"

"Dude, its chill. I won't tell anyone." She chuckles.

"Yeah, totally. Its fine." I stammer. "If anyone found I was reading books with boy love, I would get beat up." I let out a soft chuckle.

"Wow, you're the only person I know who didn't call it a "faggot book"." She nods.

"Why would I call it something that I am—"

My eyes widen.

Shit.

"Wait-" Robin's eyes widen as well and she points a finger at me.

"You're gay?" Robin shakes.

"N-n-no.." I stutter.

Robin looks at me with disbelief.

"Y-yeah..." I answer. "Please don't beat me up." I frown.

"Oh my gosh. I would never."

Suddenly, Robin has both of her arms wrapped around me in a hug.

Truthfully, I've only talked to her a few times in the past because of the whole... thing happening, but I never actually got to know her.

Mostly cause, that would be weird? Shes like, 3 years older than me. Why would I be her friend?

But apparently we are now, since, she's hugging me.