for a moment , regina could've SWORN that will was about to lie . she had seen it happen in real time . the instinct flickering behind his eyes , remaining neutral , the act of not knowing what she was talking about . . . it was impressive to watch him attempt . well , ALMOST impressive . the flickering shattered as regina had tilted her head and her eyes shone the truth , that there was something real behind her own questioning . she was watching him like a child watched a magic show , not for the illusion , but to see if the wizard slipped up on their tricks . " right . . . " her tone subtle , LIGHT , dressed up to sound agreeable with an undertone of seriousness . " you have no idea what i am talking about . i am just spouting nonsense , right . how dumb blonde of me , right ? " her lips pout for a moment before her wicked smile flashes characteristically . her eyes did not meet the smile on her lips , and in that split second it was as if the sounds of the hallway disappeared , stretched thin into silence . regina didn't push , oh no , she didn't NEED will byers , people like will cracked differently . not under pressure , but under recognition . but when she decided she would turn and walk away , something flipped . honesty . and understanding that here wasn't the best place to air dirty laundry , regina's gaze sharpened as she read between the lines . he KNEW . of course he did . people didn't call him zombie boy for nothing .
she let the silence linger so he knew she heard him for his truth , not the dressed up lies . pushing herself off the lockers with effortless grace , she smooths down her skirt , shrugging . " lead the way , byers . " her reply something so simple , no one was paying attention to the blonde talking to the boy , so she would follow him to the art room . taking in that will just handed her confirmation that hawkins was rotten , and it was bleeding into the reality they all lived in . the art studio had the thick scent of layered acrylic and dust settling on untouched books and canvases covered by white sheets . there was a memory in every corner for an art freak , but for regina it was a place to expel the truth . she was the first to step inside , heels quieter now against the torn floor , and her eyes taking in every detail with practiced awareness . ever since her run-in , her observation skills grew so she was never caught off guard again . she looked at the windows , the corners of the doors , anywhere that something , anything could slip through . the door clicked shut and the mask began to slip . will needed to know that regina , while reserved and intense , was still a human underneath the persona and she had been caught up in everything .
she was still controlled however , her breath came out slow as she turned to face the byers boy . " you're really BAD at lying , you know that right ? " she wasn't cruel , just honest . her arms cross over her chest as she anchors herself , grounding her every fiber . " it wasn't an experience byers , but you're smart enough to know that . i was just being polite to save face . " she corrected her previous statement , breathing deep as the memory flashes past shut eyes . " it had a mouth that . . . " her breath caught in her throat , her heart skipping beats , but she didn't lose composure , no , that wasn't very regina george . " it opened wrong . like it didn't understand how mouths were supposed to work . " her eyes open to catch will's gaze . " it didn't have eyes , and it screamed . . . screamed LOUDER than anything i've ever heard before , and my neighbor had twin newborns . " she lets out a huff of air that was meant to be a laugh , but that fell FLAT . " if it did have eyes , i didn't see them . it just , it knew where i was . "
her knuckles were shining white as she gripped her arm . she didn't have the word for the creature , she didn't know what a demogorgon was , but she was describing it . " it was like i was somewhere that doesn't exist , and then i was back . it was like a flash . a blink and you miss it kind of moment . " every word she stated was placed carefully , not rehearsed , but understood at a deeper level . " everyone decided it was an animal attack , last time i checked animal attacks don't happen in places were walls peel open . " her body shuddered at the memory , that she couldn't stop from happening . " so . . . you can keep pretending that you don't know what i am talking about . " her feet drag her closer , intentionally measuring will up . " or , you can tell me why it sounds like i ran into something you are trying to run away from . " her words aren't meant to be fearful , oh no , she is panicking .
