summary: after will moves to california, he finds himself in a slowburn with the popular guy who’s secretly just like him.
notes: idiots in love, fluff, angst, hurt/no comfort, slow burn, swearing, slight internalised homophobia , no beta we die like men, english isn’t my first language
total word count: 6.5k
-> part 1;
will’s first day in lenora hills high isn’t as bad as he though it’d be, especially not after the guy he stumbled into that morning.
-> part 2;
will hadn’t though he’d make a friend this fast at his new school, especially not someone so cool
-> part 3;
lessons run late and plans are made, and another step into obviousness shows itself.
-> part 4;
the week passes in a flash as you look forward to the weekend, conversations are made, and friendships bond.
-> part 5;
bullies are silenced, and hope is all over the place. but maybe your chances aren’t as bad as you thought.
-> part 6;
late sunny mornings, and a fun day out results in confessions no one had originally planned for.
——> part 6.5;
spring break offers new opportunities, and secret surprises wait to be revealed.
summary: spring break offers new opportunities, and secret surprises wait to be revealed.
notes: idiots in love, slowburn, swearing, fluff, no beta we die like men, english isn’t my first language, soon to be angst
word count: 731
the bell echoed through the halls as kids screamed and chattered and ran out the doors. finally friday, and not only that, but the last day of term. spring break.
and as usual, you and will were walking out of the bustling building and making your way home. you’d both decided to hang out sometime during the break for definite, you just weren’t sure when. with mike flying over the next day (not to mention it being wills birthday - yes, of course you remembered, you just wanted it to be a surprise) and the havoc of being off of school kept them busy for a while.
since that day, where you’d both confessed and came out to each other, your bond had been stronger than ever before. and no matter what happened - even if you hadn’t had any arguments yet - there was the mutual understanding that you were both in this together. that you could always rely on each other.
that you’d never leave one another. not on bad terms. not ever. because how often did you find people as awesome as will, someone who shares your struggle and supports you through your own.
the sun beamed down onto your faces as you stepped out of the school, relief washing over the both of you.
“finally,” you cried “spring break!” as you spun around, bathing in the new freedom. it brought a smile to wills face, releasing a gentle laugh at your antics. you’d noticed that he’d slowly been letting his walls down around you, letting you see him for him; it made you feel good about your bond and yourself in a way.
“so,” you began as you fell into step next to him, “any plans over the break? other than the long-lost best friend coming to visit, of course.”
will chuckled but shook his head, “no, not really. on thursday we’re meant to be going on a road trip for the day, but other than that - nothing.”
“so. . . friday? hang out at mine? or yours- i don’t mind”
“yeah, that sounds great”
and so carried on your afternoon, walking your separate ways and going about the rest of your days. if only you knew what was to come. . .
later that same day, you’d begged your parents to take you to the mall so you could buy will his present. one that you’d been hoping to get for him for a while too. he’d mentioned it off-hand once, saying it was practically his artistic dream to have a full set of golden heavy body acrylic paints as they were around 20 dollars a tube!
you’d originally planned to get it yesterday and give it to him today - friday, but your parents all had plans and you doubted will would mind; you could always drop by tomorrow and give it to him.
you’d know for a little while that you wanted it to be a surprise, so you didn’t bring his birthday up for the entirety of march. with the hopes of pleasantly surprising him with a more then generous gift.
so you drove down to the mall and searched for the exact shop, pulled out the exact amount, got the exact bag you’d wanted to put it in and gotten a blank card.
when you arrived home later than you’d expected, you stayed up a little extra than you should’ve making sure everything was perfect. even though you filling well know you were going out the next day.
it was optional of course, your friends were dragging you along to hang out with angela and her minions, but you figured you’d just get it over with.
truth be told, the most nerve wracking thing at that moment wasn’t having to deal with pretentious teenagers all day, but rather the card you’d written.
no, it wasn’t an undying-love confession, but it definitely wasn’t something you’d write for a casual or maybe even best friend. you just hoped that for once wills’ innocent obliviousness would kick in. you didn’t want to lie or put some pathetic ‘to will, happy birthday, from [name]’, especially when comparing that to the paints. so you were as truthful as you could be without giving yourself away too much.
but, nevertheless, you sunk into your bed, both craving and hating the thought of the next day to come.
——
i’m posting this as a half chapter because i haven’t written anything in a while and wouldn’t finish this tonight
i apologise for not posting sooner! there’s a bunch of shit going on with school and we found out my mum has cancer (dcis), but on the bright side, it’s very treatable so no need to worry.
just know i’m trying to post as frequently as possible as it’s what i enjoy doing! (even though most days i nap for ages 😓)
((im genuinely so into this fic im doing research for it XD))
summary: late sunny mornings, and a fun day out results in confessions no one had originally planned for.
notes: idiots in love, slowburn, swearing, slight angst, fluff, no beta we die like men, english isn’t my first language
word count: 1k
the sun beamed brightly through the gaps in between your curtains, warmth enveloping you in your sleep before hitting you in the eyes, softly waking you from slumber.
groggily, you stretch yourself before relaxing, taking a deep breath of air as you bathe in the sun for a few minutes. the sun wrapping like a blanket around you before stealing you to sleep once more.
you deserved it, after all you’d had a very eventful week. you came out to a friend, and later a few more as gay, you stopped angela and her bullying while also letting go on everything you’d been holding back, not to mention the millions of times will had caught you lost in thought or staring.
so as you relaxed and sleep took over, you welcomed it, knowing it was still early morning and you didn’t have to be up until at most two o’clock.
the clock ticked softly from the room over. the thin walls and silent house made the sound pass through. which made you wonder - why was it so quiet? it was early, no one should be out yet. your family had decided going out for lunch while you were at wills, so shouldn’t they be getting ready? they were supposed to leave at two.
you hoisted yourself up onto your elbows as your eyes drifted to the clock on your nightstand.
2:46pm
“shit!” you yelled, jumping up out of bed to scourge around for the cleanest and closest clothes you could find, dressing hurriedly.
you snatched your bag from the desk chair - which you’d luckily packed the night before - and rushed to the door to grab your shoes before peddling off on your bike as fast as humanly possible.
it took at least twenty minutes to get to wills house, fifteen if you were going past enough, but by now it had to be past two - fifty and there was no chance you’d make it in time to wills.
as you stumbled up to the cul-de-sac of the byers’ residence, you hurriedly dropped your bike on their lawn and rushed over to the door, knowing repeatedly.
moments later the door swung open to reveal a face that you’d been longing to see. “will! sorry i’m like fifteen minutes late, i kinda overslept” you said sheepishly as you rubbed the back of your neck.
he laughed softly, a god it sounded angelic, and brushed it off saying “don’t worry about it, i knew you’d turn up sooner than later.” and that brought a smile to both your faces.
as you walked through the house, saying hi to jane and jonathan and waving to joyce who was on a call as you passed through, and reached wills’ room. it seemed familiar, homely maybe even though you’d been in there maybe a handful of times, you’d usually meet up at your house or go somewhere out.
the desk had drawing all scattered around, and an easel with some painting pulled tight in the corner, facing away. whenever you’d ask will always said it was a ‘work in progress’ and wouldn’t show anyone. but you brushed it off as always and dropped down to his bed.
as the day progressed, you went out, had fun, got food and had one of the best hang outs you’d had in ages. and that day, plenty of inside jokes were made, bonds strengthened, and hearts grew infinitely bigger.
you ended the night where it started: wills room. it was late night by now, and you needed to set off soon, but you really didn’t want it to end.
“so,” you started, sitting up from your lying position on his bed while will sat; drawing at the des, “what’re you doing over spring break?”
“i don’t know. . . well, my best friend mikes’ coming over from hawkins. he’s jane’s boyfriend too.”
“really? when’s he coming over?”
“first day of spring break, he’s staying for a week.”
“wow, i gotta meet him at some point.”
“yeah, i’d love for you two to meet.”
“what’re you doing over the break?” will asked with a curious look on his face, but when he’d spoken about mike, he seemed almost. . . nervous. maybe he didn’t want to talk about and would rather talk about something else. but it still stuck with you even still.
“oh, not much really,” you shrugged “seeing some family and friends of course but no big plans. i mean, there’s thing ‘popular kids hangout’ one day and im practically being forced to go.”
you rolled your eyes and scoffed “i don’t even know where, when or even who’s there but i know angela’s gonna be there so im not looking forward”
“oof, good luck with that” he grimaced.
“thanks, ill need it” you smiled
there was a comfortable silence lingering, both of you sitting there silently for a moment. but there was a lingering tension, hidden in the waves of the silence. where both wanted something to say but didn’t speak.
“can- can you keep a secret?” will spoke up. he sounded small, like a child burdened with too much to handle, or maybe a scared animal in the face of threat. but he was so sincere too. trusting.
“of course. anything.” you spoke, like you were the helping hand, lifting a part of that burden from him. or a sanctuary where no predator could reach prey.
“i’m. . . i’m not like normal people. i- i don’t like girls. i mean i do but. . . not in the way everyone else does.” he paused, taking a breath, levelling out and opening the gates of his ribs to his heart.
“i’m gay.”
and once more a soft silence filled the room. although it had a different meaning for each party.
you, filled with new sparks of hope, familiarity, relief. that maybe you did have a chance after all. but at the very least, that you had someone who was like you. and those feelings all at once wrapped around you like a warm blanket and you tried to wrack up something to say.
but will? from an early age he was abused into believing that being this way, being gay was something to be ashamed of. and he always knew that it wasn’t something people handled lightly, so he needed to be careful with who he told. who he trusted.
and him and his mind, that beautiful mind that had the worst habit of overthinking took that silence to heart.
“y-you know what, just forget it. it was just. . just forget it.”
“w-no will i wasn’t- i didn’t-“
“no it’s fine, really. you don’t have to talk to me again just. . . don’t tell anyone, please.”
“no will, don’t, i want to still be your friend, this doesn’t change anything please”
“you don’t have to say that, just lea-”
“will, please just listen to me!”
and that shut him up. he looked you in the eye, tears brimming yours and spilling from his.
“this doesn’t change anything, you’re still my friend, and i really don’t care who you love. because all i care about is you. and i get it. i really do. because- because im gay too. . .”
a third, and final silence swept between you two. this time there was no unspoken words, only understanding. connection. and the moment your tears hit the floor, in sync with wills, he rushed forward and grabbed you in a hug. you didn’t waste another moment, grabbing tightly to his clothes, letting your tears soak his collar as he did yours.
you stayed like that for a while. unmoving. just soft tears until they slowly turned to sniffles, then silence. it was the most seen you’d felt in years. being this popular kid had always brought unwanted expectations, and unwanted attention from girl, and stupid norms you had no interest in confirming to. so this here, the understanding, the not needed to be anyone other than yourself, was ineffable.
and will felt the same, in his own way.
so the rest of the night flurried by in a few sniffles and a long departing hug. and that night, you went to sleep, knowing that maybe it weren’t as doomed as you thought. and will, subsequently, felt the same.
summary: bullies are silenced, and hope is all over the place. but maybe your chances aren’t as bad as you thought.
notes: idiots in love, slowburn, swearing, fluff, no beta we die like men, english isn’t my first language
word count: 1k
it was finally friday afternoon, and you and will had made a point of walking home together. you only lived a five minute walk from each other anyways, so it was nice to have some time together, the two of you (while jonathan and jane rode with argyle).
you were walking out of the main hallway out to the front yard of the school when you saw it. angela and her minions picking on jane, i’d happened a few times by now, not to mention the time jane screamed at her with an outreached hand. you still had no idea what that was but will advised you not to question it.
and by now you were long past tolerating them picking on jane. angela was always looking for attention, not to mention male-validation, meaning you had to deal with her every so often too. so you promptly walked up to the bunch with a hint of anger in your step.
“leave her alone, angela.” you called out a few steps away. “what? we’re just talking” “no you’re not, you’re bullying jane like you always do and im sick of it. just fuck off for once in your spoilt life”
she had a look of both rage and disgust before turning to utter disbelief. “what the fuck is wrong with you, [name]. are you seriously yelling at me while with skank is standing there. she’s being rude to me, i’m just being nice!”
“no, first, her name is jane and she is so much more of a better person than you, and secondly you’re just a bitch with a superiority complex who can’t handle being put in your place. so fuck off.”
by this point you didn’t care if you caused a scene, got detention or hell even a suspension, you’d stood up for jane, and finally got to tell angela what you’ve been keeping from her for all this time. and after angela stormed off in a mood with her minions trailing after, you turned to make sure jane was alright, only to find her looking at you incredulously.
“what? i was standing up for you,” you shrugged “and besides, she’s always been a bitch and someone needed to put her in her place.”
“thank you, a lot. for standing up for me. she’s always been very mean.”
“always, can hey if she ever bothers you, just tell me, okay?”
she nodded warmly before turning her gaze to just behind you, back to you, then waving goodbye, jogging up to jonathan and argyles van not too far away. you turned around to see what she’d been looking at only to be face to face with will, and awfully close too. his eyes slightly blown in surprise, nose cutting the light in half, and his lips. . .
it took you a moment before properly calibrating your brain and stepping back just a step. as much as you didn’t want to, you were still in school, surrounded by people with some not-so-welcoming opinions.
“o-oh, hey. sorry i kinda ran off but angela was bullying jane again, and i wasn’t gonna let her, y’know” you shrugged out an explanation, still trying to recover from the close proximity.
“it was awesome- you putting angela in her place, i mean. i’ve never seen anyone stand up to her, ever.” he spoke with a toothy grin, seeing him so astonished and bright, knowing you were the cause made your pride inflate tenfold and your heart stutter over a thousand beats.
“i mean- someone had to, right?” you smiled and chuckled. “yeah, i’m glad it was you too” will spoke as you both began walking again. “yeah? how come?”
“well. . . you’re, y’know popular, but you’re also not all - rich mean kid - like some of them. and people like you too, so you standing up for jane, it’ll help more than you know. so thank you.”
will seemed so genuine and honest when he said it, sure it was just some nice words but again, it made your heart loop and stomach swirl. “always. and if you ever get picked on or anything, tell me. please”
“yeah, of course.” will spoke, though, then laughed, “i mean, i doubt it because earlier, in history, this girl at the desk next to me slid her foot up my ankle, it was really weird. she seemed nice, but. . .”
and your heart sank. a girl. of course. i mean how stupid were you to believe will would love someone like you, let alone think about how he’d react. god. sometimes you wondered what was wrong with you. why’d you have to be born this way? and maybe it was a bad thing if so many others thought it disgusting.
but before you could spiral any further, will caught your attention (like always).
“[name], you in there?”
“oh yeah, no, sorry, lost in thought.”
“you’ve been doing that a lot lately. penny for your thoughts?”
“w- i was just thinking. . . you should totally go for it, this history girl. i mean if she’s into you then, what’s stopping you?”
will looked away for a moment, if you’d though over it anymore, you could’ve said he seemed. . . disappointed, maybe? but he spoke up before you could linger any longer on it. “i guess, but she’s just. . . not my type.”
“what is your type then, if you have one?”
“oh, i- don’t know. i don’t really think about it.”
“seriously? cmon, who’s a celebrity you’ve thought was at least a little attractive, ever.”
“i honestly don’t know, it’s never really been. . . my sorta thing, y’know? and, i mean hey, who’s your celebrity crush then?”
“nope, if you’re not telling, i’m not telling” you shook your head, because what would he say if you started rattling off celebrities like david bowie or johnny depp instead of madonna or cyndi lauper. you couldn’t- wouldn’t fathom it.
“fine, we can both be mysterious with our celebrity crushes. but, no way am i getting with history girl. i mean i don’t even know her name.”
you laughed, and so did he. and for the rest of the way home, sure, your hope had dimmed, but another part shone just a little brighter too. and maybe tomorrow it would shine much, much brighter.
summary: the week passes in a flash as you look forward to the weekend, conversations are made, and friendships bond.
notes: idiots in love, slowburn, fluff, no beta we die like men, english isn’t my first language
word count: 1k
chemistry class seemed to stretch on forever, while it wasn’t a bad class (you often enjoyed it, mostly because it had a good teacher who had a passion for the subject) but you were bored out of your mind waiting for it to be over. next period was lunch, and while you wouldn’t see him, you couldn’t wait to talk to your friends all about him.
at this point you were nearly sure your friends had started catching on to your crush on the boy, but you prayed they either didn’t care or brushed it off as a friend-crush.
so when you rushed over the last question about the group one metals and the bell had wrung, you threw on your bag and made your way to the cafeteria.
even though you’d practically ran there, not wanting to get caught in the busy halls, it was already packed like sardines in a tin. you got whatever food was there that day, some sort of pasta, and made your way to your usual table.
opposed to what people usually thought, you weren’t the type to adore the popularity. sure it was nice having people always being favourable to you and the attention was alright, there were still these unspoken standards you had to live up to. one of which is saying hi to everyone who was of some sort of relevance.
not to mention the girls who would do whatever to get your attention and people who’d crowd your table at lunch.
you’d been asked out by a hand full of girls already since the start of the year and it had only been a month. but as puberty was coming out of its peak and you began filling your stature out, you’d become quite the muse.
if only they knew.
you sat down at your usual table, already filled with a few close friends, and joined in on the conversation. after a while, all your friends had joined and you were far enough away from all the other suck-ups to talk about whatever you wanted.
so naturally you were taking about will.
“—i mean he’s literally so i don’t get how more people aren’t friends with him.” you trailed on.
“so, how come he never sits with us?” one friend asks. “he said jane - his sister - isn’t the greatest with new people and whatever and he doesn’t wanna leave her on her own y’know?”
“you sure he’s not just making up an excuse? i mean he seems like a great guy but shouldn’t his sister have at least a few friends to hang out with by now?” another pointed out.
“maybe, i dunno, he just. . . doesn’t seem like the type.” you shrugged, you knew will was one of the most whole-hearted people you’d ever met, and surely he wouldn’t be trying to avoid you, after all, you were hanging out this weekend too. he wouldn’t do that would he? lie to you just because he didn’t want to talk or see you - no he was just looking out for—
“but i mean dude, you talk about him this much i’m half convinced you have a crush on the guy or something” a voice snapped you out of your thought spiral, and light laughter followed the remark.
“w-no, no he’s just. . . a cool guy, i just wanna be his friend is all.” you brushed it off, hoping that your drama teacher had taught you well enough these past for years to be believable.
“whatever you say man” they chuckled and went back to friendly chatter.
your close friends - who sat with you - were few in numbers, but telling them anything along the lines of being gay, crushing let alone loving a man, felt like announcing it to the world. but a moments adrenaline caught up to you and you spoke,
“besides, there’s nothing wrong with being gay anyway”
they turned to you and a few shrugged, another nodded slightly. “yeah, we know, i was joking, that’s all.” - “yeah, no, totally, just making sure”
and so, resumed the conversations and laughter. you felt a little lighter in yourself, knowing that at the end of they day, your friends didn’t see anything wrong with it.
the bell blared and kids began filing out of the cafeteria to next class. you checked your lesson and. . . maths, how fun. you wouldn’t have minded it so much if the teacher was the most miserable man in the world, who’d point out any inconvenience or violation to any and every rule ever. hell, if you’d drawn a smiley face on your hand he’d tell you to wash it off.
but as you were walking to class, one of your friends fell into step beside you.
“hey [name]”
“oh, hey, what’s up?”
“i mean, i was just wondering, and it’s fine if you don’t wanna talk about it or anything but. . . are you and will. . . a thing?”
“w-what no, no why would you think so?” you stumbled over your words, a slight pink hinted at your cheeks and you looked everywhere but your friend at that moment.
“well, it’s just you always talk about him like he hung the stars and all, but i was just curious, sorry if i made it weird.” he scoffed a light chuckle to try and brighten the remark.
“no, no i mean. . .” you sighed and looked around to make sure no one was in ear-shot. “can you keep a secret?”
he nodded and you gulped.
“i am. gay, i mean. and i’m pretty sure i like- really like will but i have no idea what to do about it.”
silence lingered for a moment, only filled with the words and squeaks of people walking and talking in the halls.
“hell yeah man, and just know, i’ll always support you and whatever you go through. and i mean, now i can do some digging y’know, see if he fancies anyone special” he grinned and joked.
“thanks- thank you, a lot.”
“no problem, now you gotta run so you don’t get a tardy slip from mr. anderson.”
“yeah, alright, but we’ll talk later right?”
“yeah man, cya later”
and you both ran to class, both consequently getting detention for being over five minutes late, but it was worth it to you.
summary: lessons run late and plans are made, and another step into obviousness shows itself.
notes: idiots in love, slowburn, fluff, no beta we die like men, english isn’t my first language
word count: 642
first break was always a little hectic, friends rushing to find friends, people planing where to meet for lunch, bathrooms overflowing with people who had no means of using it for its purpose, and over-all chaos.
will had been at this school for nearly four weeks by now, and during that time he didn’t really make any friends, not close ones at least, apart from one. you. others tended to stay away from the new kid and his sister from the town no one had ever heard of; and sure your friends welcomed him for the few conversations they had, he could tell they weren’t all that interested.
you in the other hand, had put it upon yourself to hang out with him and jane every first break. considering jane ‘isn’t that comfortable around new people’ , but you still wanting to hang outside class, you decided to spend your breaks talking, joking and bonding with the two (and on occasion - jonathan). so when will came to your usual meet up spot only to find no one there, he was confused to say the least.
he decided that maybe mr. jones hadn’t let your class out yet considering you and jane had the same history class as you after all.
you and jane were walking through the humanities halls, running a little late because mr. jones had been adamant on everyone finishing their work before leaving. two whole pages.
“so. . . how are you finding things here after, what, a month now?” you turned to jane in curiosity.
“it is good. it’s strange. . . hawkins is very different from here.” jane smiled warmly afterword, while it wasn’t as good as hawkins was, it was freeing being able to be a teenager without any life-impairing threats at everyone’s throats.
“good, i know some of the people here are kinda shitty but. . . i’m glad your happy here.” you pause “do you know if. . . will is? i mean i know he misses his friends back in hawkins but. . . is he happy here?”
jane though on it for a second, then a moment. “i think he preferred it in hawkins, but i think he also is happy here. i think you make him feel happy here also”
you smiled at that as you walked out the doors, 5 minutes late, to find will sitting at an empty bench, bathing in the californian sun. and god if he didn’t look absolutely gorgeous as he did. his half highlighted face, the slope of his nose and his eyes glittering even brighter than the sun itself.
you were fucked.
will’s gaze landed on the two of you making your way over in the dense grass; a smile growing onto his face. “hey, where’ve you guys been?”
“mr. jones told us to finish our work before leaving.” jane spoke up. you, on the other on, were simply staring at him with stars in your eyes. real subtle.
spacing out while watching your crush is not bright idea, but it was that his eyes and the way his hair shone was so much brighter than that.
“earth to [name]!” will called out, snapping you instantly out of your love-sickened daze. “oh yeah, sorry, what did you say?” you panicked to act as normal.
“i was just asking if you were doing anything this weekend, maybe we could hang out at mine?”
“oh yeah, that sounds great. when should i be there?”
“is saturday at 2 okay?”
“totally, can’t wait”
you both exchanged smiles. in the heat of the daze you’d failed to realise jane had left, presumably to go to her next lesson because the bell had wrung 2 minutes by now.
so you and will said your goodbyes and headed to your next class, looking forward to the yet-to-be world-flipping weekend.
summary: will hadn’t though he’d make a friend this fast at his new school, especially not someone so cool
notes: idiots in love, slowburn, fluff, no beta we die like men, english isn’t my first language
word count: 1k
will had found himself sitting at an empty two-seat desk, desperately hoping he wasn’t sitting in anyone’s self-proclaimed seat. art was his best and favourite subject, so this is the one class he wanted to look forward to the most.
a few stragglers rushed into the class to avoid a late slip before the teacher got there. one of which being you. you were saying something to a friend before waving and turning back to the busy class.
your eyes drifted and landed at your usually singular desk only to find. . . will! it came as a shock at first but you didn’t mind at all as you walked over.
it was next to the window and right infront of the heater. you sat in the middle row too so it was possibly the most peaceful place to sit in the class. you’d remembered how your old desk-mate had transferred classes and now you were thanking the seating-chart gods for sitting will next to him.
“hey, will, didn’t know you were in this class” you promptly sat in your seat next to the window, it wasn’t the best view, just a lanky, lonely tree paving the way around to some concrete that went god-knows-where; although it was unusually pleasant when the sun shined in.
“hey, sorry i didn’t realise someone was sitting here, i’ll move-“ will trailed off and went to grab his bag. “no, no it’s alright, no one sits there anyways. stay” you grabbed his wrist to stop him for getting his bag and leaving. sparks seemingly running through your nerves as soon as you made contact.
the touch made him feel so soft and magical, but it was as enthralling as it was ephemeral.
you dropped your hand to rest comfortably somewhere you had bothered noting, too drawn by will’s sheepish smile.
“as long as you’re sure it’s okay”
“of course, it always is”
“good to know”
and in walked ms.darling, you’d though of her as one of the only decent teachers in this god forsaken place. she was actually good at her job and you could tell she adored her line of work as an art teacher; and someone good to confide in. after all, she’d always been of excellent help since your first day.
as the lesson passed by, they’d been tasked with making an underwater seascape inspired by pacita abad which had ended in somewhat of a disaster-piece, but hey, it’s the effort that counts right?
you looked from your poor attempt to your new desk-mates work to find it nearly perfect. everything was in proportion, and the little colouring he had already completed was alluring in a way that didn’t make sense.
“you’re really good at that y’know? that’s incredible” you scoffed out an awe-filled chuckle; eyes flitting up to meet his.
“oh, uh thanks,” he smiled widely at the compliment, a captivating scene, “i’ve been really into drawing and painting since i was a kid so i’m glad the effort’s payed off”
“so you do a lot of it outside of schoolwork?”
“yeah, when i can”
“i mean- that’s so awesome, you think i could see some of them some time?”
“yeah totally!”
“cool, cool” you nodded and a silly grin broke out. a slightly awkward silence filled the space between you, tightening the tension that had grown significantly since this morning.
“hey, i was wondering, did you maybe wanna sit with me and my friends at lunch. you’re new and i wanna make sure you have people to eat lunch with y’know? and your sister could come to.” you rambled slightly, wanting no holes for argument where he could shimmy his way out of it. but of course, a guy as perfect as he was not only has looks and smarts, but good-enough excuse not to.
“i’d love to but uh. . . jane isn’t that comfortable around new people so we’ll probably sit somewhere else for lunch” he fumbled up a white lie, “but thanks for the invite. maybe i’ll take you up on it some other time”
truth be told, after your relentless kindness and oh-so bewitching personality and looks, he still dint fully trust you and your intentions. he was still weary from years of bullying and being dragged along in silly pranks pulled on him. so in his eyes, he has every right to. just until he knows that you’re not gonna leave and laugh as soon as he agrees to something.
“yeah no, i totally get it, tell her i said hi for me would you?” you smiled warmly, slightly brought down by his rejection but taking it in your stride because after all, it was his first day, he probably just wanted to be comfortable at his sisters side.
the bell blared and everyone rushed to pack up and head to lunch. you and will said your goodbyes and headed your separate ways.
as you approached your friends, you indulged yourself into their conversation, making a few remarks here and there but your mind still lingering on will and art class.
“[name], you good?” one guy asked, snapping you instantaneously out of your trance. “oh, yeah m’just thinking”
“well, wanna share with the class what you’re thinking ’bout?” all attention turned to you as you shrugged.
“have you guys met either of the new kids yet?”
“the byers?”
“yeah, i’ve met and talked to will but he seemed. . . i dunno, intimidated?”
“he’s probably overwhelmed or whatever, i mean first day of school and here of all places? i’d be dead by now.”
“maybe, he seems cool though, he’s real good at art” you remarked off-the-side. the rest of the group brushed it all off and you all continued over to the cafeteria.
you were determined to at least befriending will byers by the end of the week. no way you’d let someone like that out of your grasp. whether or not what everyone else thought.
it wasn’t like you were all everything everyone thought you to be anyway. some popular guy who was on all the teachers good sides, a fair few girls fawning over and a stature that no one would ever complain about. when in reality you were just a sincere guy with a few nerdy interests and closeted secret not even your closest family knew.
but maybe one day someone would, and maybe you’ve already met them. someone who’d mirror those same secrets and hopefully: feelings.
summary: will’s first day in lenora hills high isn’t as bad as he though it’d be, especially not after the guy he stumbled into that morning.
notes: fluff, light swearing, no beta we die like men, english isn’t my first language
word count: 650
moving to another state after battling inter-dimensional monsters and the government along side his best friends is certainly not what will had in mind. nonetheless, here he was walking along side his newly-pronounced sister, jane, into the bustling building of lenora hills high.
will wasn’t sure what to expect after living in the same small town his entire life, where everyone knew everyone and no secret was truly kept secret. so walking into a new school, especially after being bullied all his life, felt freeing and terrifying all at the same time.
would he make good friends? better than the party in hawkins? would he get bullied again? would jane get bullied?
a thousand thoughts circled his mind as he zoned out and walked through the halls; his spiral suddenly halting to a stop as he stumbled into someone.
he looked up to see your curious eyes scanning over him. “shit, sorry man, didn’t see you” you spoke after realising he was staring - not saying a word.
in those few moments then you realised he may or may not be the most gorgeous man you’ve seen. his deep, lingering eyes and out-dated haircut that suited him so damn well. you might’ve fallen right there and then if you hadn’t composed yourself in time.
yet, little did you know, will was thinking the exact same.
will stumbled over his words as he fumbles to get out an apology, “n-no it’s alright, i wasn’t really looking where i was going anyways.” he shrugged sheepishly.
“s’all good don’t worry about it” you spoke as you turned to face him fully, unaware of how your friends had migrated to their own lockers.
“i might be wrong but you’re new here, right? i heard you and your sister moved here not too long ago. this her?” you referred to the girl cautiously lingering behind her brother, brightening into an awkward smile as you make eye contact.
“yeah, we moved in a few weeks ago. it’s our first day. i’m will and. . .” will turned to look at her as he spoke, “this is my sister el- jane!”
“cool,” you smiled at the little mishap, maybe he had a nickname for her or something, “well if you ever need anything, you can always ask, i’m [name] by the way.”
will, unsure of what to say just smiled warmly, you reciprocated the gesture before waving and calling back ‘cya around’ before turning back to find your friends.
“he’s nice.” jane though aloud. “yeah. . . he is” will smiled to himself as he continued to walk down the corridor, a little more mindful of his surroundings this time.
“you should ask to be his friend.” she told her brother as she trailed after him.
“i don’t know, he’s. . . popular” will shrugged at the proposal of it, even if it pained him to. sure while you were kind to him and his sister, offered a hand for if they needed, and were a sight for sore eyes. but will had seen you around town the few weeks prior and knew instantly that you was well-liked. popular even. and that was the type who used to bully him and his friends, so naturally, he refrained.
“why is that bad?” jane turned to look at her brother in curiosity and confusion. she knew he wasn’t the most liked back in hawkins and had had his fair share of bulling, but you seemed genuine, and she appreciated that.
“i-it’s not, i just don’t want to start anything. i mean you know how the ‘popular kids’ can get. i’m just being careful.” will managed to construct a good enough reason for jane to leave it.
but maybe you were worth trusting. and maybe it could be the best decision will ever made. but for now, everyone needed to get to first period.
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