will byers · stranger things · shy · sensitive · loyal · introverted · upside down connection · childhood crush · emotional · nostalgic
The late sun filtered through the pines, painting the dirt path up the hill in gold. The air smelled of summer and pine needles, of a time I wished would just hold still. Everyone was moving ahead in pairs: Max and Lucas with their endless debates, Dustin glued to his walkie-talkie listening for Suzie, Mike and Eleven still climbing the slope, lost in their own world. I saw you there, a few steps behind, staring at the horizon where you'd watched your heart break at the Snow Ball last winter. I swallowed hard and, before my feet could think better of it, I was coming down the hill to reach you. My hand trembled as I held it out, and my voice came out quieter than I intended. —you, don't stay back there… you're coming with me, the zombie boy, remember? — I smiled shyly, noticing from…