Complicated • Stranger Things

1 - The Vanishing of Will Byres

I rolled my eyes for what seemed like the millionth time as I listened to Nancy gush about her boyfriend, Steve Harrington, to Barb on the phone. Since she started dating him, he's all she seems to talk about. Barb is nice enough to let Nancy go on about that douchebag, but I've made it clear that I don't want to hear anything about him. Unfortunately, Barb called Nancy while I was here and now I'm forced to listen to her talk about her oh-so-wonderful boyfriend.

"Hey," Dustin was standing in the doorway with a pizza box, "there's a slice left if either of you want it, sausage and pepperoni."

"I'll have it." I accepted as I stood up and took the slice from Dustin, thankful that there was finally something else to occupy my mind. "Oh, do you need a ride home? I'm leaving soon."

"Nah, I'll just ride my bike." He declined.

"Alright, see you tomorrow?" I asked.

"Yeah, sure. Bye." He waved as he walked back downstairs. I've babysat for him often since his mom is so overprotective. I've become somewhat close with the kid, along with his group of friends.

I decided that I didn't want to hear Nancy and Barb drool over Steve anymore, so I said a quick goodbye to Nancy before heading home. As I walked out of the house I saw the four boys still in the Wheelers' driveway.

"Goodnight boys, see you guys tomorrow." I said to them as I walked to my car.

"Goodnight." They all said in unison before riding off on their bikes, except Will who stayed to say something to Mike.

"Hey, Will. Want a ride?" I offered to the boy before he left.

"No, thank you." He replied.

"Okay, I'll see you later." Will gave me a smile in response before he rode off.

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"Where were you?" I jumped at the sound of my father's voice.

"Dad, you scared me." I laughed. "And don't worry, I was at Nancy's."

"Tell me next time you go somewhere." He demanded.

"Okay, okay. You know you don't need to worry about me so much. I'm almost an adult, Dad." I assured him.

"I know, I know. You should get some sleep. You got school in the morning." He reminded me.

"Yeah, I know Dad. Goodnight, love you." I gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before heading to my room.

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The next day before school I met up with Nancy as we entered the building and Barb joined us not long after.

"So, did he call?" Barb asked as she approached us. I let out an annoyed sigh, knowing exactly who she was talking about.

"Keep your voice down!" Nancy told Barb.

"Did he?" Barb repeated in a quieter tone.

"I told you it's not like that. Okay, I mean yes, he likes me, but not like that. We just... made out a couple times." Nancy admitted and I gagged at the thought.

"'We just... made out a couple times.'" Barb mocked her. "Nance, seriously. You're gonna be so cool now, it's ridiculous."

"No I'm not." Nancy denied.

"You better still hang out with me, that's all I'm saying. If you become friends with Tommy H. or Carol-"

"Oh, that's gross!" Nancy cut her off.

"Not as gross as dating Steve Harrington." I commented and Nancy shot me a glare.

"It was only a one time...two time thing." Nancy said as she opened her locker, where a note was left waiting for her.

Meet me. Bathroom -Steve.

"Ew." I cringed.

"You were saying?" Barb teased.

I rolled my eyes before leaving the two girls and heading to class. In between classes I spotted Jonathan at his locker. I smiled and walked over to him.

"Hey Jon. How have you been?" I asked the quiet boy.

"Okay, I guess." I noticed that he seemed a bit upset.

"What's wrong? Are you alright?" I asked, becoming more serious.

"Will didn't come home last night, and nobody seems to know where he is." He told me.

"Shit. Well, I'm sure he'll turn up. Maybe he just got lost in the woods, and he'll turn up in a few hours, unharmed." I said hopefully.

"I hope you're right." He sighed.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" I asked.

"Mom and I are going to search for him after school." He told me.

"I'll be there." I said.

"Thanks Jordan." Jonathan gave me a weak smile.

"Jordan, I need to talk to you." I turned around to see my dad standing in the hall.

"Dad? What are you doing here?" I questioned.

"Just come with me."

I said a quick goodbye to Jonathan before following my dad into an empty classroom.

"What?" I asked.

"I'm sure you've already heard about the missing boy." I didn't respond so he continued. "So until Will is found I don't want you leaving the house."

"What?! That's not fair, I was going to help Jon search for him after school -"

"It's not your problem. It's between the Byers and the police." He cut me off.

"But Jonathan's my best friend and I told him I'd help." I continued to argue.

"Jordan, please just listen to me. I'm asking you as your father and as the Chief of this town, stay home where it's safe." He pleaded.

I glared at him before leaving the room. I walked around to find Jonathan before class started.

"Hey." I turned around to see the person I was looking for.

"Hey, I was looking for you." I gave him a small smile.

"What'd your dad want?" He asked.

"Jon, I'm so sorry, but I can't help you search for Will. My dad won't let me leave the house until he's found, but I told you that I'd help, and now I can't do anything and-"

"Hey, it's okay. Don't worry about it." He assured me.

"We'll find him. I promise." I wrapped my arms around him, and he did the same.

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"I still don't get why I'm on house arrest. I'm in highschool, I can take care of myself." Nancy complained on the other end of the line.

"Tell me about it. I'm not aloud to leave the house either. Not even to help search for Will." I agreed.

"Well, I wasn't going to help, but-"

"I know, you were going to meet up with Steve. Gosh, what do you see in him?" I asked in disgust.

"Well, he's sweet, and funny, and cute, and-"

"Let me stop you right there. All of that is false. He just wants to get in your pants." I stated.

"Jordan!" Nancy scolded

"It's true. You should dump him before he breaks your heart. He may have used to be all those things, but he's changed. I of all people should know that. I mean, do you see what kind of people he hangs out with? There's so many better guys than Steve Harrington." I ranted.

"Speak of the devil." Nancy said, and I furrowed my eyebrows.

"What? Oh God, please don't tell me he's there." I rolled my eyes.

"Fine, I won't tell you then. I gotta go, bye!" Nancy hung up before I had the chance to reply. I sighed as I hung up the phone.