Chapter Text
Will was not in control of his life. If he was he would not be standing here in the middle of a football field waiting for Lucas Sinclair to throw him the ball. Will likes to think how his life would be if one thing had been different. Maybe then he would be in the art room instead. He liked art a lot, though he would never admit it. He liked the way you could think of something and make it be seen. He liked the way shapes and colors can bring anything to life. Or maybe he would be in a school play reading lines from a paper. Being someone completely new that sounded nice. Perhaps he might be in a cheesy after school club. Maybe-
“Fuck!” Will shrieked as the football plummeted to the ground. He clutched his forehead as Lucas walked over to him.
“Dude were you even paying attention?” He wrapped his fingers around Wills wrist and pulled it away to asses the damage. He then proceeded to firmly press his fingers into Will’s forehead.
Will winced away and groaned. Lucas was certainly irritating first he basically chucks a football at his face. Then his smashes his fingers into his probably-going-to bruise forehead! Okay well its probably not going to bruise but still!
“Were you aiming for my face what the hell?” Will mutters putting his hand back to his forehead protecting it from any more pressing fingers.
“It’s not even my fault! We were practicing then you like completely checked out it’s not my fault you didn’t catch the ball, thats on you one hundred percent!” Lucas rambled, completely ignoring the approaching coach.
“Byers! Sinclair! Five laps! We don’t just stand around at practice.” He grunted looking back and forth between them.
“Easy for you to say.” Lucas whispered when they started jogging a little ways away. Will snickered a bit. Okay so Will was a little upset about not only getting hit in the face but now he was running laps. Gee thanks Lucas.
It was about halfway around their first lap when Will felt eyes on him he whipped his head around until his eyes met with the deepest brown he has ever seen. The boy quickly averts his eyes back to the notebook he was writing in. The boy has the craziest hair Will thinks he has every seen. Its also a dark brown and it looks like he had attempted to brush it down. Key word attempted. He has a charcoal gray hoodie on with dark blue jeans. His converse are red and look like they’ve been dragged threw dirt and ran over by a car a good number of times. He’s cute. WHAT?! Objectively of course it’s a observation anyone would make. He reasons with his head.
“-and then.. Will are you even paying attention.” Lucas frowns as he waves his hand in front of him.
“Who’s that?” Will tilts his head in the direction of the objectively cute boy.
“Dude! Thats Mike. Mike wheeler? You know from science class? Oh and I don’t know the coaches son! Come on do you ever pay any attention?” Lucas laughs as he shakes his head. No Lucas he doesn’t pay attention. In both situations his is focused on other things. Also Will actually enjoys science he finds it interesting and fun. Which is surprising because he hates math. Math was fine before when it did not involve letters. Seriously who thought it would be a good idea to add freaking letters to math? Besides the letters though it is just generally hard okay? Will looks over at Mike again. Mike wheeler. Huh.
-
“Will come on!” El says tugging on his sleeve. He smiles at her then waves at his friends. El then drags him to the car like a woman on a mission. As soon as he gets behind the wheel she starts talking.
“Guess what Will,” she full on twist in her seat to look at him before continuing “Mrs. Bright gave me detention! Can she even do that? I mean come on! Shes a lunch monitor her only job is to make sure kids don’t turn violent and throw food or begin choking or whatever. All because I texted mom and asked for lunch money. So I can I don’t know eat! Thats like the whole point of lunch Will! I swear she’s out to get me she’s always lurking! Shes just a old lady who hates kids Will! She is so mean! She took my phone I had to go to the office at the end of the day, then that’s not all I got a whole entire lecture on phone rules unbelievable!” She says waving her hands around clearly very riled up about Mrs. Bright. To be fair though she was right Mrs. Bright is a mean old lady who hates kids.
“Oh uh,” El looks down looking sorta embarrassed “it’s a morning detention so we kinda gotta get up early. I have to be there buy seven thirty. Oh and please don’t tell mom and dad!” She says looking at him again.
“I won’t as long as you give me some of my blankets back.” He smiles sweetly at her.
“Will! That is black mail siblings don’t black mail you are supposed to cover for me for free!” She whines and he rolls his eyes.
“Yeah well I clearly remember a time last year when you were sick and I snuck out without you. Then you forced me to make you soup and hot chocolate to keep my secret. Pretty sure thats black mail El.” He smiles at her and she smacks his arm and groans.
“Whatever that was last year. Oh also Lucas and Max invited us to a party after the game Friday! Can you believe it our first party as juniors!” El then proceeded to explain why junior parties were definitely better then sophomore party’s. Will still didn’t get the difference.
-
“WILL!” El yelled as she shook will awake and dragged the covers off the bed. He patted around for his phone.
“Will we are going to be late get up! Did you forget to set your alarm?” El was now dragging him off the bed. He stood and shoved her out of his room. He whipped open his closet and tore out jeans and a black hoodie. Then began the great dig for a clean pair of socks. What a mess.
“-yeah but Will insisted on getting extra practice in with Lucas. You know how he is mom he’s so stubborn. But he also is my ride. Which is a complete shame since I wanted the extra sleep!” Will rolled his eyes, as his mom nodded with wide eyes sipping her coffee.
“Well come on El I can’t be late to get that extra practice since I dragged you out of bed for it.” He said sarcastically. She shot him a look before grabbing her light pink bag decorated with all sorts of pins.
“Bye mom love you!” They shouted in unison.
“Not you throwing me under the bus.” He huffed after he slid into the car.
“Hey I panicked when she asked why we were leaving so early ! I was not about to blow my cover so quickly! Also you do need practice Lucas told me you can’t catch!” She said with a teasing grin.
“Oh my gosh that was one time! One time I miss and he’s trying to make it front page news!” El snorted at that and shook her head. She then pulled out her phone then connected it to the speaker. She typed something in and sent him a sneaky smile before hitting play.
We could leave the Christmas lights up till January.
“El!” He groaned but smiled at the sight of her. She looked content. Happy. She deserved to have a good start to her day.
“AND THIS IS OUR PLACE, WE MAKE THE RULES!” She shouted horrible off key. Will smiled he was glad she was happy.
-
“Bye El see you in third period!” He yelled after the sprinting girl.
“Bye!” She yelled back as the door was already shutting behind her.
“Hi.” A voice spoke behind him. Will jumped then shot his head around to be met with the same dark brown eyes as yesterday. Will quickly skimmed over him. He was wearing the same awful beat to shit sneakers, with jeans and a light blue hoodie. Today he looked to have given up on the fight with his hair because there seemed to be no attempt made there.
“Hi?” Will said it more like a question, to be fair he was very confused.
“Uh you dropped this,” he held out Wills English notebook, Will knew it was his because of the horrible drawing of the cat on the cover. “I didn’t know you drew. You should draw a dog next time though they are definitely better.” Mike said with a teasing grin. Will gasped in shock, as though Mike wheeler had just stood in front of him a confessed to a bank robbery.
“Woah! That is totally incorrect Mike. I have proof,” he smiled at him “let’s start with fact one, they are quieter who in their right mind wants to be woken up to loud barking? Fact two they are softer and in my honest humble opinion more huggable. Thats not all Mr. Dogs-are-better cats also require less maintenance do you have to give them a million baths and make sure the get their daily steps in? Nope. Shall I continue?” He smiled and peered up at Mike.
“You know my name?” Mike smiled shyly at him with pink dusting his cheeks. If Will didn’t know any better he would say he looked excited? Shocked?
“Well yes believe it or not Mike but I am aware of other people in this world.” Will chuckled.
“Yeah I guess,” he looked back up and smiled “and besides who knew Will Byers had a soft spot for cats.” Will smiled at him. Woah Mike had a nice smile it made Will’s stomach feel fluttery. Nope! Just because he skipped breakfast thats why the only reason why!
“There you are!” A boy with light brown curls came running up to Mike standing on his tippy toes to sling an arm around him. He had a bright smile and seemed genuinely happy.
“Ah sorry Dustin. Bye will.” He smiled shyly and gave an awkward wave to him.
“Bye.” Will smiled back. He then watched them walk away Dustin whispering something into Mikes ear and peering back every once in a while only to smile.
Huh.
“You’re fucked dude!” Lucas spun him around with his hands on his shoulders so he would be facing him.
“What are you talking about?” Will asked cocking his head to the side in complete in utter confusion.
“Coach Wheeler was talking to the math teacher you’re failing man. Coach will probably talk to you but if you don’t fix that, and quick he could totally cut you from the team. Which means that Hawkins loses yet another year.” He finishes with sarcastic jazz hands. Will didn’t know weather to feel happy or panicked. On one hand Will thought without football life would probably be a whole lot better. On the other hand he would let down a whole lot of people. Kinda cliché but Will would always feel a little proud when he saw his real dad show up to watch his game. He may always be drunk and do it once or twice a season but he showed up. Not just him though he knew his sister loved coming and his mom and step dad did enjoy coming out every once in a while. Also if he did good this season and next season he could get a scholar ship. He definitely needs that, no way his family can just casually fund him going to collage.
“Fuck.” Will groaned running his hands down his face.
Fuck.
-
Mike wheeler may or may not have a tiny crush on Will Byers. So what. That also may or may not be the reason he waits for his dad to finish football practice. It’s not like he only goes to watch Will do whatever the fuck you do in football. He also does a variety of other things such as but not limited to homework, writing, and every once in a while (not all the time) yes watch Will play. Even though yes he will admit he has absolutely zero idea what is going on.
Mike also thinks when he asked his dad for rides home at the beginning of last season, his dad assumed he would get the son he always dreamed of. Which of course did not happen hence why Mike sits in a patch of grass near the bleachers.
On todays agenda though Mike has scheduled a completely mandatory regroup after talking to Will today. Not to mention Will knew his name! Dustin (a complete and utter saint at the moment) even said that Will watched them leave! Get a fucking grip Mike it was one conversation! He scolds whatever so what. Doesn’t matter.
-
“Mike come here would you?” His dad shouts. Mike gingerly makes his way over looking between the three people as he walks. His dad looking annoyed at how long it’s taking Mike to walk. Will who is looking at his feet, and Wills sister. She’s holding onto the string of his backpack fiddling with it. She too looks annoyed.
“Mike you’re good at math right?” His dad asks him once he arrives to the small group. His dad still looks at Will not even sparing Mike a glance. He kinda thinks his dad would trade Mike out for Will or you know literally anyone else.
“Uh yeah I think?” His eyes look from his dad to Will and back again. His dad clasps his hands together and a smile breaks across his face.
“Fantastic! Well Will I have found you a tutor!” Mike is kinda baffled. His dad didn’t even ask him. Not that he would have said no but still.
“I don’t know your schedule Will so forgive me. But do you have plans tomorrow night after school I really do want this, uh issue cleared up as quickly a possible.” Now Will looked baffled and looked between Mike and his dad.
“Am I busy? I’m sorry uh Mike hasn’t even agreed to help.” Will mumbles looking back to the ground like he is inspecting it. Mikes dad then nudges him with wide eyes.
“Uh it’s fine I don’t have plans or anything.” Mike attempts the best comforting smile he could manage.
“See Will no need to fret if you’re not busy perhaps I can give Mike a ride to your house tomorrow after school?” His dad asked with a tight lipped smile.
“Yeah that works thank you,” he turns to Mike “and you can just ride with me and my sister tomorrow after school.” Mike nodded and smiled his cheeks were a little warm. Snap out of it! He is just being nice plus it makes the most sense! Do not freak out over a car ride with Will Byers that is twenty four whole hours away!
-
Okay so Mike did freak out but only a little bit okay? Because what else was he supposed to do when he is trying to sleep? Ugh. He was pathetic. After they had left the field his dad had started talking about how maybe Will would be a good influence. Whatever that means. He rolls over and groans into his pillow before pulling put his phone and texting Dustin.
Mike
Help. How am I supposed to act normal and tutor Will? Man it’s actually pathetic you should have seen me I can’t hold a normal conversation without looking like I’m swooning over him. Help.
Mike
S.O.S!!!
Dustin
Dude is two in the fucking morning go to bed.
Dustin
Also I did see you, you did some awkward wave as you looked like two second away from cardiac arrest. Good. Night.
Wow big help Dustin. Dustin has officially lost his saint roll that was so graciously granted to him earlier. It will be fine everything will be fine. Mike will be A okay.
Probably.