WILL POV-

---- Two days later; Monday 6:03 AM ----

Despite the kiss with Mike being over a day ago, it had indeed left the brunette in a whirlwind of emotions; it had been the topic of his thoughts since the party, and he couldn't help but replay the moment in his head; the way Mike's touch softened the moment their lips glided across one another; it was his first kiss. He couldn't focus on anything else; the softness of Mike's lips, the warmth in his breath and his tender gaze in that moment.

He always dreamed of this as a little kid; it was something he always wanted... so why did it hurt? Why did it hurt so much? He felt a deep ache within him, a sadness that threatened to spill into his memory. He couldn't escape the truth; it had all been a dare, a stupid game between friends. The kiss, though it meant the world to Will, held no such impact on the ravenette; merely a nuisance he was obligated to complete.

The weight of the reality broke the brunette, and he couldn't help but worry about his own future; his first kiss with anyone had been a dare. He stared at the ceiling; he couldn't sleep; too early to get ready, yet too late to continue his dreams peacefully.

The knowledge pierced his heart like thousands of tiny daggers. It was a cruel reminder Mike would never love him the way he wished.

Stupid.

Would he ever experience another kiss? One that was born out of love and affection rather than obligation? This had nothing to do with Mike; he knew Mike liked- possibly even loved his sister, this was about... anyone. The thought of ending up alone, unloved and unwanted, gnawed at him. He longed for someone to share his heart with; someone to see him for who he truly was.

And then there was the ever-present question; was he feeling his way simply because he liked boys? It was a question that haunted him for a long time; since Lonnie; since his bullies; since he was born. Societies expectations, and the fear of rejection for his sexuality bore down on him, intensifying his feeling of isolation.

As he lay there surrounded by darkness, his thoughts became restless; his brain being too crowded for him to handle. He wished he could drown them out, but they kept emerging one after another like a constant ring in his ear. He questioned his worth, if any boy would ever feel the same way about him as he did about them. The thought of a future, void of everything he yearned for cracked his soul; leaving him lost and adrift.

He wondered if one day, somehow, someway, he could find the strength to embrace his true self and find the love he so deeply deserved; move to a brand-new city. But that meant he would be leaving almost everything he knew behind... just because he was gay.

It wasn't fair! Why did he have to be the one to apologise for feeling the way he did? Was Mike's obligated kiss his only taste of affection in this cruel and unforgiving world?

He hated everything.

He hated everyone.

He hated himself.

RINGGG

In midst of his turmoil, his alarm rang, jolting him from his perpetual state of nothingness; what time was it? And as if on cue, Joyce's voice rang through the house as chipper as usual, unaware of the state her son was in. She called everyone to breakfast, knocking on their doors as she made her way. Will was reminded that the world moves on, moving without him...

He grumbled, pushing the covers off himself, deciding a shower would help wash away his lingering thoughts; perhaps it would distract him. With a sigh, he stood up, heading to the bathroom, putting on a happy face; they all wanted the cheery Will...

---- 7:23 AM ----

After the gentle shower that cascaded him with water and the slightly soggy pancakes his mother had made for breakfast, he was feeling a bit better. He sang songs in the shower; any that came to mind; mumbling to himself first but then belting out the lyrics as no one could hear pass the running water. The breakfast, despite being a bit undercooked, were perfect to him, they had all the love and affection his mother could ever give. Jonathan and his stepfather, Jim joined him at the table all chatting over breakfast... even without knowing, his family made him feel happier.

Will now sat in his room, his clothes changed, and bag packed. A knock came from his bedroom door, his brother peaking his head through the door saying, "Hey, I'm going now! Mum and Hopper have already left!"

"Okay." the brunette said normally.

"Oh, and El's at home! She said she wasn't feeling well but she might be coming later to school if she feels better!" Jonathan added.

"Oh! Okay, sure!" The small boy furrowed his brows; El was sick? She seemed perfectly fine yesterday! But it was odd that she would be coming to school later; El was very particular about germs, she would never allow herself into school with the risk of spreading illness to others.

"See ya!" Jonathan said, closing the door behind him.

A realisation slowly dawned on the brunette, El had a planned sleepover at Jennifer's house today. She had been excited about it for weeks, and there was no way she would miss it. Will playfully rolled his eyes; she was obviously faking it: pretending to be sick enough to miss some of school but well enough to attend Jennifer's house; how cunning! But why? Will thought for a second, immediately remembering the English test they had today.

With a playful grin he decided to mess with her for a bit, unable to resist the opportunity to joke with his stepsister. He knocked on her bedroom door walking in, finding her still in bed.

"I heard you were sick." he said with an exaggerated sympathetic tone.

El's face was partially hidden by the blankets, muttering weakly, "Yeah, feeling pretty bad; I just need a few more hours in bed then I'll be fine!" she said dramatically whining.

Will's smirk was evident as he prodded, "You know, if you're too sick, maybe you should cancel your sleepover with Jennifer?" he suggested, resisting the urge to chuckle, "I can tell her in Art for you!"

El's eyes widened slightly, "No! No! I'm fine! I mean I'm sick but I'm not THAT sick. I could probably even come to school... for second period." she mumbled the last part.

"But then you would miss the English test," he tilted his head, feigning innocence. El shuffled in her bed, peeking out from under the covers, her lips shifting to a sheepish smile as she deadpanned, "You know, don't you?"

"Know what?" Will said, feigning innocence,

"Listen, we both know I'm not sick; I just don't want to completely bomb this test! Just don't tell mum." The doe-eyed girl explained, her voice falling a little, "I will come to school after the first period!" she added, taking one arm out the covers, extending it to her brother, sticking her pinkie finger out, "Pinkie promise!" she added with a determined pout.

What were they? Seven years old?

Yet, the brunette rolled his eyes doing the same, interlocking pinkies for a second before letting go. He then said, "You are so dramatic sometimes!"

"I know!" El replied confidently, fluffing her hair, "I play my part well!"

Will smiled, a chuckle escaping his lips, but then realising the time; it was nearly eight o'clock! He needed to leave now, "Okay I'm gonna go now! Bye! Make sure you lock the door!" he added before leaving her room, grabbing his backpack before making his way to the front door.

With a sigh, he grabbed his jacket from the hooks near the front door. Grabbing the handle, he swung open the door, taken aback to find Mike standing there, hand poised mid-knock. The surprise on Will's face quickly shifted to a mix of emotions when he realised Mike likely came for El,

"Hey Will!" Mike said in an overly chipper mood; a bit too much for a Monday morning.

"Oh... hey," the brunette said, his voice a little disappointed, "El's not going to school right now; she might be coming later though."

The ravenette seemed unfazed, "Oh, I know!" offering a casual smile, "I'm the one who gave her the idea!" he winked.

"You did?" Will smirked, "I guess I'm not surprised!"

Mike nodded, "Yeah, she said she didn't know if she would pass English; so I told her to pretend to be sick!"

"Oh... okay." the small boy said; this was becoming a bit awkward, clearing his throat, "So why are you here then?" he asked a little confused, his voice quiet; if he wasn't here for El, then why would he come all the way across town?

"I came to see if you wanted to bike to school together!" The ravenette suggested.

"Oh, why?" Will furrowed his brows, as a small smile painted his lips.

Mike rolled his eyes playfully, "Because, we're friends! Can't I want to bike with my best friend?" his words carried an unexpected weight.

The small boy's face dropped; the word 'friend' hung heavy in the air for Will; that's all he will ever be to Mike. It was a cruel reminder of the night he spent staring at his ceiling thinking. Yet, he managed a weak smile and a nod, "Yeah... friends." he replied, lacking the enthusiasm he tried to muster. "Let's go," he added, pushing past Mike to get to his own bike he left on the porch. "Come on!" the brunette said, avoiding eye contact.

Mike followed excitedly jumping over with his bike to pedal to school; the tall boy immediately launched himself into conversation, talking about anything and everything that came to mind. The ravenette liked talking to Will, feeling as though he could say anything to the brunette and not feel like he needed to hide anything.

The small boy listened diligently to every word as he rode alongside Mike; the realisation hitting him that he was merely an 'El replacement'. He should be happy Mike wanted to go to school with him, but the thoughts weighed him down; it was just one of those days; he was feeling bad.

The pair finally reached the school, locking up their bikes and despite the effortlessly flowing conversation, Mike noticed the change in Will's demeanour immediately. They had been best friends since they were little kids and could tell something was bothering the brunette. As they moved over to the picnic table on one side, Mike decided to address it.

"So... um." the ravenette began sitting opposite the small boy, his tone filled with concern. "I can tell something's bothering you, what's wrong?"

The brunette hesitated, his gaze fixed to the ground; he wanted to say the truth, express his true feelings to Mike but for the sake of his friendship and his sister's happiness, he refrained himself, shrugging with a weak smile, "I'm fine! I just... didn't get much sleep."

"Come on Will," the ravenette exclaimed, not convinced in the slightest. He leaned his elbows on the table, moving his head closer; his eyes strong and piercing, "What's really bothering you?"

Will's eyes finally met Mike's concerned gaze as he stammered, lying once again, "Yeah, yeah... I'm just worried about the English test first period, you know? Nerves!"

The tall boy seemed to believe that excuse as he questioned, "Is that all?" but in a soft tone, "Will... you've got this! You're one of the smartest people I know!" he cheered, a grin on his face that was only reserved for the brunette,

Will smiled, a small blush painting his face, "Thanks," softly giggling.

Yet to the brunette's surprise, Mike reached over the table, ruffling Will's hair playfully saying, "Your so cute when you're stressed!" he chuckled.

Will's heart skipped a beat at the gentle touch and the word 'cute'. Mike... thought he was cute? His cheeks only tinted brighter, his moles standing out even more. It was a simple gesture, but it sent a surge of emotion through him.

"Hey guys!" A voice called from behind them, Mike quickly withdrawing his hand from ruffling Will's hair, his action almost swift as a reflex. He shot the brunette a sheepish look, as if he had crossed some unspoken boundary.

The pair whipped their head around to greet Lucas, oblivious to the intimate moment between the two. The athletic boy took a seat next to Will, beginning lively conversation in something that the brunette was struggling to keep up with; eventually zoning out the conversation.

He looked at Mike, analysing his movements, the way he spoke, his mannerisms, his clothes. The brunette was left in a whirlwind, wondering if the gesture was significant or merely something of his own delusions.

All he could do now was hope, and continue stealing glances until the bell rings... and, perhaps it was Will reading too much into it, but he kept meeting Mike's eyes who were staring at him periodically.

Will soaked in all the attention he could, knowing it would be over when El comes back to school. 

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2232 Words

Stay Safe <3