After a painful breakup and an isolating experience at university, Will Byers returns to Hawkins feeling exhausted, lonely, and unsure of who he's become. Hoping for comfort in the familiar, he reconnects with his longtime best friend, Mike Wheeler, only to realize that the feelings he buried years ago never truly disappeared.

Mikes been pushing Will away, and Will can tell. Mike suddenly starts feeling weird about Will but he can't out his finger on why. Meanwhile, Will is struggling with this painful neglect while being in love with Mike.