Charlie Wheeler was not normal. Well, no one's life in Hawkins, Indiana was normal. It had been nearly six months since the gate to the upside down was closed and things were finally feeling alright.

Charlie was beginning her senior year with her twin sister, Nancy. She had gotten a job at the Family Video Store with Robin and Steve.

It had been a hard few months for everyone. Charlie's brother, Mike had lost his girlfriend and best friend. Nancy had lost her boyfriend.

But Charlie had it the worst. She had lost her best friend and partner in crime, Billy Hargrove. Nobody in their friend group ever saw eye to eye with Charlie and Billy's friendship. (billy is not racist here bc it makes more sense with my storyline)

Charlie was always there for Billy when his dad was being a piece of shit. It wasn't until Billy stopped answering her calls that Charlie figured what was happening. By then it was too late.

She watched her best friend die and blamed herself. She should have been there. If she had known sooner then maybe Billy would have lived just a bit longer.

And how Charlie wished she found out sooner. Hawkins was now destroyed. The amount of life gone was unimaginable. Everyone acted okay but she knew deep down that they all wanted to know the same questions. Why?

They blamed it on a mall fire, all of the losses. Even Hopper, though Charlie never actually found out how he died. Joyce would cry whenever his name was mentioned.

Spring break was fast approaching and Mike was headed to Lenora to see El. Charlie was going to spend quality time with Robin and Steve working. Nancy was waiting on Jonathan for his college acceptance letter. Holly really wanted new crayons for her drawings.

Charlie wanted her life to go back to before Will went missing. Before Hawkins got swept up in superpowers and secret labs, russian invasions and massive loss, despair and anger.