Chapter 1 - "I Think They’re Okay"
Joyce places a plate of homemade waffles with homegrown blueberries and maple syrup and bacon on the table. Next to the plate was Will’s plate, a plate of eggs and bacon.
“Jane! Will! Breakfast is ready,” Joyce yelled to the two.
Will slowly opened his door, his sleepiness still lingered on his expression and his messy hair. Jane, unlike Will, was more awake. The two sat down at the table to eat.
Will looked at the table. “Where’s Jonathan?” he asked.
Joyce glanced at the door before returning her eye to look at her son. “He’s out right now doing whatever,” she said. Joyce went over to Will and messed with his messy hair. “Don’t worry about him, he’s likely with Nancy or something.”
“Speaking about Nancy,” Hopper said, standing up from his armchair which partially hid him. Hopper looked at Jane and Will. “I was thinking about letting you two go over to the Wheeler's house for the night.”
Jane swallowed the piece of waffle in her mouth. “That sounds like fun,” she said, somewhat smiling.
Will shifted under Hopper’s gaze. “Yeah, I’m sure Mike would love to see you,” he said, looking at Jane.
Jane took a deep breath in before nodding.
After Breakfast
Jane and Will grabbed their bags. “Will?” Jane somewhat whispered.
He looked at her, a slight bit of confusion in his eyes. “What’s up, Jane?”
She looked around before looking back at Will. “I want to talk to Mike about something… no, I need to,” she said softly with weariness, but she seemed determined nonetheless.
Will took a moment to breathe before nodding his head. “Uh- yeah, of course.”
Joyce walked over to Jane and Will, her car keys and a container in her hands. “You two ready?” She asked, smiling.
“Yeah, mom,” Jane said, returning her smile.
Will grabbed the container from Joyce’s arms. “I’ll carry that, okay?”
“Ah, thank you, Will,” Joyce nodded in thanks.
Jane opened the door and the three left the cabin to go to the Wheeler’s house.
At the Community Centre
Robin gently broke the egg on the edge of the frying pan, the egg crackled and popped as it went into the pan. She was making an over-easy egg. Next to Robin, Vickie stood making scrambled eggs. Steve was doing the laundry with Dustin, who decided to stay the night and help out.
“I’m glad people are able to find the homes they need,” Vickie said in the partial silence of the eggs.
Robin flipped the egg. “And I’m glad the yolk- yolk is such a weird word, who actually made it?”
“Youlk- Yolk is definitely an interesting word,” Vickie laughed.
Robin looks at Vickie with affection in her eyes. She quickly mentally shook herself. “Yeah,” she laughed, “I was saying that I’m glad I didn’t break the yolk.”
“That’s why I’m making scrambled eggs,” Vickie pretended to flip back her hair, which was tied back.
Steve looked back to the laundry folding, smiling at Robin and Vickie’s interactions. Dustin smirked smugly.
“Why have you never asked her out,” Dustin said, poking fun at Steve.
Steve paused to look at Dustin. “I- it’s like-” Steve made weird hand gestures. He covered his mouth, trying to think.
Dustin shrugged. “Whatever floats you love boat, man.”
“I am not in love with Robin!” Steve said, slightly frustrated.
“So, you’re still in love with Nancy? Whenever you're near her you give her lovey eyes, it makes me sad.”
“Nancy and Jonathan are dating,” Steve replied back quietly.
“So?” Dustin frowned and grabbed Steve’s shoulder. “Dude, why don’t you tell me things anymore? The drama was annoying, but it was better than silence and lies,” Dustin said with a slightly lower but serious tone.
Steve sighed. “There’s just some things I can’t tell you, man.” Steve looked down for a moment before looking back at Dustin. Steve put out his hand. “How about from now on we try to communicate better.”
Dustin let go of Steve’s shoulder and grabbed his hand. “No secrets,” he said before shaking Steve’s hand.
At the Wheeler’s House
Joyce knocked on the door to the Wheeler’s house. Holly opened the door, looking only slightly up since she was much taller.
“Hey, Holly,” Joyce smiled. “Is your mother here?”
Karen walked over to the door. “Hello, Joyce! It’s lovely to see you!” Karen said, a bright smile on her face as she opened the door more to invite them in. The three entered the house behind Karen. “Jonathan is with Nancy in her room. From what I know they’re doing some weird research,” Karen laughed. She looked at Jane and Will. “Mike’s in his roo-” Karen said before Mike walked down the stairs.
Mike looked at the two. His eyes quickly scanned over Will before going to Jane.
“Mike, perfect timing!” Karen said, placing her hand on Mike’s shoulder. “Would you mind taking them- uh- to the basement or your room?” Karen asked.
“Sure, mom,” Mike said in a carefree voice. He led Will and Jane downstairs and closed the door.
Joyce placed the container on the kitchen counter.
“I’m glad you brought them over,” Karen smiled. “Mike has been acting off recently and I couldn’t get him outside!” Karen laughed.
Joyce smiled. “Of course, Karen.”
Karen looked at the container. “What’s that?” she asked, eyeing the container.
“It’s some dessert I made last night, I thought you guys would enjoy the rest of it since I’m making more later.”
Karen hugged Joyce. “Thanks, Joyce.”
Joyce returned the hug. Karen pulled away. “If you’d like, we can plan a dinner sometime at Hop’s Cabin,” Joyce offered.
“That’d be lovely,” Karen said enthusiastically.
“Ah- uh- also Karen, I was wondering if Will and Jane could stay the night?” Joyce asked.
“Of course! I’d never say no.”
Mike and Jane sat on the couch.
“Hi, Mike,” Jane said, smiling with a hopeful gaze.
“Hey, El,” he said, returning a smile before looking at Will, who sat next to him, their posture mirroring each other. Mike glanced at their knees making contact. “Hey, Will,” Mike’s smile seemed warmer.
“Hey, Mike,” Will smiled back at Mike.
Jane looked at Mike awkwardly. She stood up and made eye contact with Will, who shifted away from Mike. “Can we talk, Mike?”
Mike looked up at Jane. “Uh- yeah?”
Jane stood for a second in silence. “In private.”
“Oh- yeah, of course, El!” Mike said standing up. He looked at Will for a few seconds before going upstairs with Jane.
Will sighed and leaned back into the couch.