WILL POV-

The chestnut-haired boy stood outside the Mayfield residence; He knocks on the door glancing at the watch that read 6:30 am. The sunrise created an ethereal glow that casted the skyline of Hawkins, he noticed the morning birds sang songs from the late night, he hummed the songs on his lips.

The door swung open, revealing an angry looking man, his hair was messy blond; the man squinted at Will with piercing blue eyes running a hand through his raggedy mullet. He grunted rolling his eyes, calling for Max. The red head emerged dragging Will inside.

"Don't mind Billy, He's just hungover" Max whispers pulling Will to her room, she grabs her keys and drapes her denim jacket over her shoulders. The girl Admires herself in the mirror winking at her reflection.

"I look smoking! You however need some help" Pointing at the casual clothes the boy adorned that day

"How will you possibly impress Mike with those clothes? Well, no time for a makeover, we need to go. Now!" Max retorts, grabbing the chestnut-haired boy.

"After shooting, we'll go to Star-court" Max flips her hair around not waiting for an answer.

They get into the boy's car. Fiddling with his seatbelt, he clicks it in, turning the keys into the ignition as Max does the same and checks herself out in the mirror.

The ride was peaceful. Max rolled down the window allowing the warm air to creep into the car, it was the beginning of summer and the weather had already been scorching, Will was prepared and already applied his sunscreen. The redhead flipped through the radio stations to find any good songs.

Will was too preoccupied in his own mind.

They reach the studio, the place was bustling, distant chatter could be heard from every direction the only person quiet was Will, he was worried about his 'surprise'. He put on a brave face. Not even noticing Max speaking

"So... you think we'll actually get some work done today?" She giggles wrapping an arm around Will's. He doesn't resist. The pair walk toward the front desk noticing the old lady behind the desk has the same expression she had yesterday. She stares blankly at the computer clicking away on the keyboard.

"Ahem" Max clears her throat in attempt to get her attention. The old lady sighed tucking a stray hair behind her ear.

"Name?" She said with little enthusiasm.

"Maxine Mayfield..." The redhead began

"...And William Byers" The boy continued. The pair remains silent watching the lady scroll on her computer. She then opens a desk pulling out two badges.

"It's mandatory to wear these now" she stated before going back to her previous position

The pair leave, walking down towards the trailers admiring the aesthetics of the studio as they watch people walk pass in a colourful array of clothes

Will and Max strut towards the trailers. There stood a woman outside Max's trailer. The woman stood tall with a slender figure; She wore a white blouse underneath a pink sleeveless dress. She had brunette hair that reached her shoulders. Her face was out of view, the two friends couldn't distinguish who this young woman was.

The lady taps her foot clearly annoyed. Checking her phone and looking up while fanning herself with her hand.

Will's stomach churned; he had a bad feeling. However, the pair carried on toward the mysterious maiden, upon hearing footsteps she turned around. It was none other than Jane El Hopper. She looks the duo up and down for a quick moment before enveloping Will into a big hug.

"You must be Will! Mike said you saved him yesterday, he described you so well" She tittered. Will blushes getting lost in his own thoughts, shook over the fact that Mike remembered how he looked

"Thank you so much Will, I'm glad Mike has someone to be like his Guardian Angel" she giggles loosely holding his shoulders

"Oh, and the producers say they want to meet you! I'm not sure for what though" she informs, placing a finger on her chin

"Try Robin or Steve's room" she adds, Will nods turning on his heels towards the studio office, about to leave

"Omg your hair so beautiful" Will hears a voice from behind, he turns his head. It was El, she held both of Max's hands in hers maintaining eye contact with the redhead. She complimented Max which caused the red head to flush red from embarrassment. The two girls held hands talking about miscellaneous things. Will was uninterested and departs to make his way towards the studio office. He looks back at Max one more time to see that her face has become an even brighter shade of red, he chuckles under his breath making his way, preparinghimself to enter the door that read 'Robin Buckley-Executive producer' he knocks on the door three times but hears no answer so he turns the handle taking one last deep breath as he truly expected the worst.

The door creaked open causing the three heads of: Steve, Robin and Dustin to turn their attention toward the sound. Their stood Will, fidgeting with his fingers.

"Hey Byers!" Dustin waves jumping off the couch sprinting towards Will.

"It's good to see you! We were worried you wouldn't come back" he nervously rubbed the back of his neck

"Anyway..." Robin cut off

"We were wondering if you would like to be in the movie, it's a small role though"

"But it's on one condition" Steve placed his hands on his hips with an unreadable expression on his face, he walks towards Will. Will tenses up feeling a lump in his throat

"You can't tell anyone about how you snuck in and about the fire" Steve pats Will on the head laughing. Then walking back to his desk taking Dustin with him.

Will ponders, a role in the movie? He never thought about it. He wouldn't mind it, that would mean he would be able to support Max if she ever needs it. He also thought about the other reason for accepting. He would be able to see Mike more frequently. Will nods graciously accepting the offer.

"Thank goodness, dingus #1 and #2 wanted to fight if you refused" The blue eyed girl sniggered looking at Will directly in the eyes. Will pans his eyesight over to Steve and Dustin who stood on the other side of the room eating.

"They don't seem like that big of a threat." Will jokes to Robin.

"Oh! By the way, Mike says he'll show you around. He was quite adamant about it" Dustin grins. Will only nods lost in thought, Mike WANTED to show him around, he was over the moon. Will stood idle as a bright glow appears on his face.

Just then the door bursts open to reveal a familiar raven-haired boy. He was dressed in his character costume; He walked in confidently, a big smile plastered on his face.

"Were you waiting outside?" Robin mocks. Mike became speechless

"No. Yes. Maybe." he mutters loud enough for Robin to hear; she exchanges a knowing glance to Steve who does the same. Steve then proceeds to shove a whole cookie in his mouth. Robin rolls her eyes in disgust

Mike puts an arm around Will, a hand firmly planted around the shorter boy's shoulder. Will looks at Dustin who desperately avoids eye contact. The curly haired boy covered his mouth to stop himself from chortling out loud. Mike drags the hazel eyed boy out the room co-ordinating steps with one another. As they leave Will hears as Robin mutter something to Steve

"I know what they are!" She giggled, looking at Steve who desperately tried to hold in his laughter. 'Weird' Will thought to himself but decided to ignore it, the blush on his face only darkened as it was reflected onto his pale skin. The shorter boy remains quiet as Mike tells him about the various places on set. They walk around; Mike still had an arm draped around him. They had a few places left; they walk towards an area with a bunch of tables.

"And this is the cafeteria. The noodles here are to die for" Mike breaks the silence chuckling to himself

"So, um... What do you like to eat?" he adds facing his head completely towards the chestnut-haired boy, their lips inches apart, Will flinched his head back from embarrassment

"What?" Will mutters snapping out of his thoughts "oh- um I like Pizza" he replies. Mike began to speak again but Will could not concentrate, he was too preoccupied on the space between him and Mike, Will had never imagined he'd be this close to his celebrity crush, he savoured the moment, taking a few minutes to study Mike's face, he was only a little taller then Will, their faces where almost touching, Mike's raven hair touched Will's.

"Have you had breakfast?" Mike looks into Will's eyes; the boy raises his eyebrows shaking his head.

"Same!" Mike gleams "Let's get something to eat, I'll pay" he adds

"I do have my own money, you know" Will teased. Mike playfully rolled his eyes, the raven-haired boy dragged Will to the line, removing his arm. They stood in line, the other actors on set looked at Mike, some envied him, others wanted to be him. Will looked at the menu, choosing the cheapest options: yogurt and a fruit tub. Will approached the cash register, attempting to pay for himself but stopped when a hand reached out from behind him.

"I told you I'd pay" Mike placed himself close behind Will placing the money on the table. He brings Will to a table that was secluded

The pair remained silent, Mike dug into his croissant, prompting Will to do the same, routinely looking up to catch a few quick glances at Mike.

"Did you ask for Max to get her job back" Will blurts startling the raven-haired boy.

"Um no. I mean not technically" Mike replies stammering his words

"Technically?" Will questions raising an eyebrow

"What I mean is that I just talked to them about the situation and then Dustin came into the room and admitted bringing you in." Mike speaks fast

Will curls his mouth into a "O" shape, slowly nodding his head as he does so.

"Um thanks for the food, by the way! I'll pay next time" Will smiled looking at Mike. The boy looked up from his food maintaining eye contact with Will.

"Cool" Mike replies

"Cool" Will does the same

The table fell into hush once again but this time it was comfortable. Will opened his mouth to say something; unable to get the courage to. If he wanted to be friends with Mike, he needed to be able to start a conversation at the very least, he mentally cursed himself for being shy. He takes a deep breath.

"So, Mike, do you have any hobbies?" Will asks

"Ummmm" Mike looks up pondering the question

"I like Dungeons and Dragons, but I don't really have anyone to play with" Mike adds in a sombre tone, he looks down with a slight frown.

"DUNGEONS AND DRAGONS" Will practically screams at the top of his lungs. Will's eyes lit up. He stood up out of excitement shuffling in his seat. The raven-haired boy looks at him, eyes widening. Concern washed over him.

"I LOVE D&D, it's so good, I've been playing since I was a little kid, I think I got it for my eighth birthday, and I remember I had to practically beg my mum all year before that." Will launched into conversation, His excitement was reaching its extreme like a child that didn't usually get a chance to talk to someone who shares a common interest with him. He jumped up and down in his seat, tripping over his own tongue as he spoke.

Mike sat in his seat examining the chestnut-haired boy. He leaned his elbows on the table resting his chin on his palms with total concentration listening to the short boy continue

"I used to write all the stories myself, I was the dungeon master but I didn't have any friends so I would force my mum to play with me, even though she didn't really understand how to, it was so much fun. And I made all the props..."

Will abruptly went quiet stopping when he noticed Mike staring at him.

"Sorry... I didn't realise I was talking too much" Will apologises sitting firmly in his chair, daring not to move an inch.

"No, don't worry, I like your voice" mike reassures, endearment written on his face

"I mean... I'm interested in what you were saying" he adds stammering trying to correct himself; nervously laughing. He looks at his phone and jumps up.

"Oh um- I need to go back to the costume crew, you probably should too" the raven-haired boy says sprinting off.

"Well, that was definitely something" Will mutters under his breath. He finishes his fruit tub, throwing his trash into the trash and grabs a paper towel to wipe his hands. He walks back to Max's trailer. He felt like he was still dreaming. His feet were light. Although Will felt awkward from the interaction, he plays out the scenes of him and Mike in his head. Mentally cursing himself for not talking more.

Before even thinking, Will reached the trailers, he spotted the trailer that belonged to a familiar red head.

He walks up the stairs of the trailer turning the handle of the door, it squeaks open. Max has a pair of headphones on, facing away from the door, Will sneaks up behind her putting both hands on her shoulders. Startled, she throws a punch.

Will ducks out the way, it narrowly avoids him. She turns around to face him. A look of disappointment on her face.

Will giggles and just hugs her

"Okay sunshine" she mocks "so what happened?" Pushing Will off her as she dusts off her clothes, she aims to always look pristine in her costume.

Will jumps up and down, his lips turned upwards

"I just spent time with Mike, he put his arm around me, and he says he finds me interesting" he squeals. Max covers her mouth out of shock hugging him. They jump around holding each other

"I wish I could just date him." Will says as the pair twirl around. The door makes a bang, it hits the wall. The pair look towards the sound.

There stood Lucas, his mouth agape

"You're gay?" He exclaimed

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2448 Words

This was a behemoth of a chapter to write, im very tired lol

anyways i hope everyone it well,

see ya in the next chapter