Joey Hopper//Will Byers -Book two-

Will the wise: Part two

Joyce turns to me.

"Joey sweetie, can you ride home?" A look of panic must fill my eyes because Joyce starts to backtrack. "I could drive you if-"

"No," I gulp. "It's fine."

She nods, "I put your bike in the back of my car. You can get it out. Will and I need to talk a little more, okay?"

"Okay."

And with that I'm off. I'm obviously not going back home, not that I'm about to tell her that. As I pop her trunk and pull out my bike, I get one last look at Will. He's crying, I hate it when he cries. A part of me wants to run in there and give him a big hug but the same part of me takes control and I mount my bike, finding myself riding aimlessly into the unknown.

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It's dark outside, ten o'clock. I hope my dad isn't looking for me, he knows better than that though. He knows I'm good at hiding. As I ride down the dark streets I can't help but feel a sense of fear. Still, I continue on. Passing by random homes I don't quite recognize. I've been doing this for hours at this point. Then I hear an odd sound, the sound of wheels.

I turn to see someone skateboarding down the road a couple of passes ahead of me. I shrug and start to speed up. They look about my age, I don't think any kidnapper could really harm me anyways. As I get closer though something becomes more apparent. The figure is a girl, with bright red hair...

"Max?" I call.

She turns and an equally confused look comes over her face. "Joey? Is that you?"

I stop besides her and get off my bike, pushing up the kickstand.

"What are you doing out here?" I ask.

She shrugs. "It's nothing really. My parents are just fighting. I cleared out. Everyone's parents fight sometimes though, right?"

"I wouldn't really know." I start. "I only really have my dad. My mom lives in the city and I only see her at Christmas."

"Oh," Max says.

I obviously made the situation awkward.

"It's not a big deal though. I like it here in Hawkins." I say.

Max looks around, "I think I'm still getting used to it. Does, um...crazy stuff happen here a lot?"

I'm immediately reminded of the events that occurred early today. I think about lying but in the end I know that wont work. She knows too much.

"There's a lot of secrets here." I say. "A lot of those secrets aren't really mine to tell. Not entirely at least."

A look of recognition comes over her face and we both decide to drop the subject.

"So, I told you why I'm out here. Why aren't you with your dad?" Max asks.

After what she told me I see no point in not telling the truth. "We got in a fight this morning. I kinda ran away."

"That sucks." Max exclaims. "My parents have probably stopped fighting by now. If you want to, you can stay at my place tonight."

I want to say no. I mean, I barely even know Max and up until a few minutes ago I didn't even think I liked her that much. Still, what other option do I have? As sad as it sounds, I'm lost. It's not like I can just pop by one of the boys homes. I don't see any other option.

"Sure, um thanks Max." I say as I push a piece of my long hair out of my eyes.

"No problem. Come on, let's go."

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Maxes house is cool. It's not as nice as any of the parties but I'd say it looks pretty similar to my old home. I miss that place, everything was far more simple when we lived there.

I parked my bike in the bushes so it wouldn't get stolen and then we headed to her room. I'm glad we didn't see her older brother. I just hope I can spend this whole trip without seeing his face. He kinda scares me. I feel justified with my emotions towards him though. After all, he did almost run over my friends and I.

Max is currently laying down some blankets and pillows for me on her bedroom floor, making me a place to sleep.

She looks up at me. "Do you like Cindy Lauper?"

I'm taken slightly off guard.

"Um..." nonetheless I answer. "Yeah, I love her music."

"Nice!" She exclaims.

She then walks over to her nightstand and fiddles around with her cassette player. Finally 'Girls just wanna have fun' starts blaring through the room.

I find myself checking her door. "Won't your parents get mad? You know, if we're too loud?"

"No, they don't care." She says, "Billy usually leaves his music on all night."

I decide not to argue with her logic. I have an odd family too, I'm definitely not one to judge.

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Before I know it, it's midnight. I was so wrong about Max. She's totally cool! We like the same music and we watch the same shows. She even watches the chick flicks that I've never told the boys I watch! She grabbed some cokes earlier and we've just been hanging in her room, dancing the night away.

Finally I flop down onto my makeshift bed. "I need a change."

She looks puzzled. "Like cash?"

"No, like a change in my life-" A piece of blonde hair falls into my eyes. "I got it!"

I jump up and start looking through my backpack.

"What are you talking about?" Max asks.

I look back up at her. "Do you have any scissors?"

While confusion still lays beyond her eyes she seems to just go with the situation. "Yeah, on my desk."

I walk up and find a pair of neon green safety scissors.

"Okay," I breathe. "I'm doing this."

"Doing what-"

Just then I cut off a chunk of my hair. At first Max and I give each other shocked looks. I didn't really think I'd go through with that. Within seconds though we break into smiles and start laughing like crazy.

"Will you get the back?" I ask in between giggles.

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EDITED