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((@QueWe may start whenever. I can post first as well.))
AWESOME. You can definitely start us off SINCE this is your idea.
((Sounds good. At first, it’ll be more like a view from each side kind of thing before they actually meet.))
It was a normal day. Somewhere in the evening, that was easy to realize. A figure could be seen waking up. What were they even doing? It was…well, they reached over to grab their phone and squinted at the bright lights. The closed curtains still made the sun filter through and it was really getting on the boy’s nerves. The phone’s painted lion wallpaper beamed up at the boy, who was reading the time it was on the home screen. ‘It’s already 4:20?!’ He thought, panic arising. Why didn’t his foster sister wake him up?! Or his mom, actually. Or his step-dad. Or also his older brother.
Setting the phone back down, he groaned and rolled out of bed, lazily changing until he trodded down the stairs. That was when he saw his sister, Jane. She was sitting at the kitchen table, eating…oh, great. She was eating dinner. The boy’s stomach growled and he sighed in defeat, walking slowly over towards the girl, who’s hair was in a tie.
“Look who’s finally up, zombie boy.” His older brother said, smiling from the sofa. The boy rolled his eyes and sat down next to his sister at the squared kitchen table. “Good afternoon, Will.” Jane said, not as pokey as Jonathan had been. William turned to look at her with a glare. “Why didn’t any of you wake me up?” He asked. Jane blinked a few times before answering. “Oh. Mom went to work early and we decided to let you sleep in, since you had the day off from your art collage.”
At that, Will exhaled tiredly. “Sure. You hanging out with Max again today?”
“Actually..” Jane started. Will’s mind immediately went ‘uh oh’ as he looked away, eyes wide. There were a million possibilities running through his mind. Yet the one he least expected was what his sister mentioned next. “We were going to go see this awesome band called Hellfire. Surely you’ve heard of them, but then again you also listen to 80’s music.” She laughed, shaking her head. Will looked mildly offended at that. “The Clash and the Cure are classics, and you can’t blame me for liking them. Plus, I don’t…”
Before he could finish, Jane grabbed his forearm quite aggressively. It nearly made him jump and fall out of the wooden chair he sat on, but nevertheless he remained seated. “You’re coming with us, no buts about it.” Jane hissed. Will gulped. ‘She scares me sometimes.’
——————————————————
That was how Will Byers, an introverted artist, managed to end up at a band concert that took place in an old bar that had been renovated to be suitable for anyone that decided to come play something on stage. In this case, it was for quite a few bands. Four, to be exact, but Jane and Max were really here to see Hellfire. Whatever that was. Jane mentioned it was some sort of rock band that mixed up Nirvana and Imagine Dragons, so Will knew he wouldn’t like it.
Right?
((You could do Mike getting ready with his band, aka Dustin, Robin, Steve, and Vickie for past tense and such, then go into the present. Do whatever, it honestly doesn’t matter. ;D))
With his arms crossed and his eyebrows frowned, Mike looked at Dustin and Steve move things around on stage. "No, over to the left.." he said, this wasn't going to be the first time they performed in front of fans or anyone. So, it was just another day really for the whole band. But Mike didn't really except to many people tonight if he was being honest. That was the reason he picked a small old-time bar in town. He sighed as he kept watching everything be put in place. "Okay that looks great." he said with a simple thumbs up. Robin came up behind him, placing her arm around his shoulders, he glanced over at her. "I think the whole town is coming." she said, Mike raised an eyebrow to her statement. "What makes you think that?" he asked, she smiled and shrugged. Sometimes he wasn't sure how Robin's brain worked but she was good at the drums and that's what matter the most.
An hour or two later, everything was the way that Mike wanted it. And slowly people started to come in, but it was unsure if they were coming for the bar or the concert. "It's almost time." he said as he looked at his watch on his wrist. Steve smirked out at the few that were sitting in front of the stage. "Robin was right, look how many there are." he said as he bumped Mike with his eyebrow. Mike nodded before he looked back at his band members. Vickie, Robin, Steve and of his best friend Dustin. "Let's raise some hell." he said with a smirk as he walked on stage, and everyone started screaming their band name. Mike smirked as he walked up to the main mic that stood in the front of the stage. He said nothing as the lights dimmed down and Robin started the music with her drums.
Dustin was feeling particularly ecstatic. The thrill of it all was definitely pumping some adrenaline, and as he searched the room, he could feel the excitement radiating off of the others as well. Or maybe that was just him. Any nerves had long since left. He was never really one to get giddy, but with how much energy he had, he knew that he would surely have a headache later tonight or tomorrow. Once he set down the last stage piece, he gave Steve a thumbs up and turned to Mike. “It wouldn’t be surprising, honestly. We have been performing a lot and haven’t traveled in a while.” He shrugged, flexing his arms, which then made a popping sound due to him not having any collar bones. With a grin, Dustin headed backstage momentarily.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It was getting crowded really quick. Will subconsciously tapped his fingers on his hip as a kind of coping mechanism. Jane must have noticed, because she elbowed him, startling the poor boy. “Hey, come on! We got a concert to watch, and I’m not gonna miss finding Max just because you wanna stand there and be an awkward little-“ “Okay, okay! I get it! Lets go find Max.” He replied. At this point, he basically had to yell because of all the chatter. Jane then dragged him into the front row, beaming like a lightbulb when she saw the redheaded, fiery girl she was looking for. “Hey, Max! We’re here.”
With that, Jane sat down, bringing Will down with her. Jane was in the middle, and Will was off to the right while Max sat on the left. He couldn’t help but sigh, feeling extremely miserable. ‘Not one for alcohol, but could’ve gotten some sort of soda or something..’ He thought, crossing his arms. Then, the lights suddenly dimmed as red smoke rose up. Raising a brow, he turned to face Jane, who was suddenly squealing loudly. What was she shouting? He couldn’t even understand her words. Everybody was screaming ‘Hellfire’ like some sort of demonic cult. ‘The fuck?’
‘Oh.’
Staring up at the people that had suddenly appeared on stage, Will’s stomach did a flip. Because holy shit, he was really at a concert. And holy stars, were those the guys he knew back in high school? Yeah, they never talked. Mostly because Steve and Eddie were fresh out of high school. He didn’t know who the girl was. Then there was….ugh, what were their names? Oh, yes, that’s right. Dustin and Mike. ‘Wow. Okay. And here I was thinking they were all some geek nerds, even if I fit into that category, too. Never thought they’d be in a band.’
Max honestly asked Lucas to come to the concert with her but he of course was busy football practice. His university was having a big game next week so he wasn’t able to make it. She was slightly disappointed since they haven’t been able to spending time together since he moved into the dorm at his university. Which was a couple of hours out of town but, she knew who to ask. Jane always seemed less busy whenever Max asked to her to hang out. So Max decided to ask Jane to the concert, she agreed of course.
Max glanced when she heard her name be called, she noticed Will and smiled. “Hey Will.” She said simply with a slight wave before the two sat down. Her and Will didn’t really talk unless Jane was around which only made sense since they didn’t really have to much in common. Max forced back on the stage and started screaming ‘Hellfire’.
A smirk appeared on his face, when everyone started cheering their name. With every hit from Robins drum, the red smoke started spreading from the stage out to the rest of the room. Mike started playing his electric guitar, then Vickie played her keyboard piano. Dustin and Steve followed behind with their own electric guitar’s. When Mike started to sing Vickie song as his backup. And Robin got in her zone with the drums. Once they started the crowd started getting out their seats but the band forced on their performance. They didn’t realize they that there were familiar in the crowd, well at least Mike hadn’t.
After a couple of songs, the concert was over. Mike assumed it was midnight now, and he was looked at his phone once they got backstage. He sighed and nodded, he was correct. He yawned and sat in a chair, he ran his hand through his hair. “Well that’s our last concert for a month, next month we will be off to New York.” He stated as he stretched his legs out and a crossed his arms.
Meanwhile Max was still amazed by how good the band was in person. She recognized everyone in it and that made her want to see them. “Let’s go!.” She shouted as she grabbed Jane’s hand and took off to the backstage. She heard voices and followed them to see the band members talking amongst themselves. “Soo you guys are Hellfire.. I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it with my own two eyes.” She said as she crossed her arms with a smirk on her face.
Will had waved back at her, then he settled down in his seat. The music blared loudly, and he had to even focus on the smallest of sounds instead. Like the slight running of a nearby faucet. Or the sound of clanking as people at the bar table cheered, their glasses colliding and making light ‘tink’ sounds. Until eventually, he managed to get lost in his own mind and focus a little more on what was going on around him.
Then it all hit him at once. Right in the middle of the song. It sounded like some sort of angel had hit the chorus, and it shook Will down to the core. Jane was still yelling, screaming some kind of bundle of words. Probably encouragement as she waved to her friends and ex-boyfriend. Will sighed and rolled his eyes, slumping in his seat. The aftershock of it all had faded away and he felt glad about it.
Once the band, Hellfire, had finished playing, he watched Max take Jane by the hand. He’d let them do whatever, he supposed. Perhaps he could finally go get that coke he’d been dying to have ever since he’d arrived. Standing up, he went over to the bartender and requested for said drink, which luckily they hadn’t run out. The bartender had then sent a wink Will’s way, which flustered him, but he indulged himself into doing something else. ‘Focus on anything else. Anything.’
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jane was beaming as bright as a star as she was brought backstage. “You guys did so amazing!” She congratulated. Unbeknownst to her, she was still holding Max’s hand, even if it wasn’t clasped completely with the other girl’s. Dustin came out of one of the smaller rooms, having had to put his guitar back in its place until they all headed home. “Thanks.” He smiled goofily, adjusting his hat.
“I’m ‘bout to hit the hay. You guys want anything to drink?” The curly haired boy offered. Jane shook her head. “No thank you, Dustin. That’s a very kind offer, though. Next time I might not pass you down.” The two smirked at each other. Just outside, you could manage to hear the other bands playing their own songs. ‘Never understood how much sound it could radiate from back here.’ Dustin thought, looking down at the floor in wonder.
Michael had placed his guitar on the table and was polishing it when he heard a familiar voice. He glanced back for a moment to see Jane, he sighed and turned back around to finish cleaning his guitar. He hadn't really since Jane since they broke up. It wasn't like they ended on bad terms at least not on his side. But he just felt awkward around her ever since. Michael sighed once he was done with his guitar. "No thanks, Dustin.. I honestly think I am about to leave to." he said as he leaned back his chair and stretched before he got up. Michael picked up his guitar and put it in its case. He picked it up, carrying it on the side of him. When he turned to leave, he noticed the two girls holding hands, he raised an eyebrow but said nothing. "I'll see you guys later." he said, he was walking away when Steve stood up. "I can give you a ride, if you want." he said as he grabbed his keys. Mike glanced back and shook his head. "Nah, its okay. I need the walk anyway." he said before he left from backstage. He ran his hand throw his black hair once he was free from the awkwardness that was in the air.
Max hadn't realized that she was still holding Jane's had. If she had she probably would've let go, it wasn't like she didn't like her or anything. It was the opposite and it made her confused on her feelings for Lucas. Max glanced over at Dustin when he came out of a room. "Look at you, you got all grown on me." she said with a smile. She noticed Mike, when he turned around and was about to speak when he turned back around. Which meant he didn't want to talk, which she understood. "Same for me D.. We just came to see you guys and let you guys know that yall did amazing." she said with a shrug.
Michael was walking past the bar when the owner called his name. "You think you can just past by me?" he asked, Michael looked over and sighed as the older man mentioned for him to come over. He walked over and placed his guitar on the stool next to the one he was going to sit. He took a sit and leaned on the bar. "What you want Mr. Wyatt?" he asked with a chuckle. Michael and Mr. Wyatt went back a couple years. He was the one that gave Michael, his first and only job. "I just want to chase up with my old pal.. It's been a while." the man said as he poured Michael a shot of whisky and slid it to him.
Jane had tried to say something to Mike, but he hadn’t really acknowledged her, so she stopped trying. She could barely even muster a hi. Yet, she felt like he wouldn’t really care anyways. But as she looked down and sighed, she noticed that her opposite hand was a bit busy. Eyes widening, she let go of Max’s hand and awkwardly stuffed it into her pocket before she looked back up at everyone.
“Hey, Steve!” She smiled at the older. “Where’s Eddie? Also, yes, you guys did amazing. Full blown!” Her grin returned and Dustin was now busy collecting his things. “You like these pearls?” He asked Max, making his famous little growling sound. “Anywho…Sounds good, I’ll see you guys later. Next gig is on Friday next week, by the way! Same time.” He elbowed a few of them before heading out the door. He planned to go get a drink somewhere other then here, anyways. Like a gas station or at a friend’s house.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Will pulled out his phone and started scrolling. Ever so often, he’d force himself to look up and watch whatever band was playing, until he’d drop the ‘cool’ act and would continue scrolling, taking sips of his drink here and there. Then he overheard, not on purpose, the bartender speaking to someone like an old friend. Raising his head up curiously, he realized with dread that it was Michael.
Now, no, they’d never talked, as mentioned. Also no, he didn’t really care, per say. But how could someone, after performing and making the crowd go wild, sit down at a bar and make small talk? It confused him, but he didn’t want to eavesdrop so he decided to just text Jane and say that he’d be going home soon and she’d have to catch a ride with someone else. Will could barely keep his eyes open anyways as he was using half of his energy to keep the sounds of the concert out of his head. The rest of his energy was long since gone. Or even pent up. But maybe he could focus on the little conversations getting thrown around the room. Some guy in the corner was flirting with a girl. Then there was a group of people dancing (and probably drunk, Will added) off in the middle of the room. And some kid had just snuck in. ‘Tsk.’ Will sighed. The kid was definitely around 15, so it was obvious he was an ambitious teen. Then again, it was none of Will’s business, so he spoke nothing of it.
Yeah no, okay. Screw the listening thing, it was rude to eavesdrop and apparently there was nothing really interesting going on, anyways.
Maxine glanced over when Jane let go of her hand. She glanced over at Mike, and it all made scene to her. Max sighed and put her hands in her pockets as well. Her feelings weren't hurt for the most part. But she couldn't help but to wonder why Jane decided to act different when Mike looked at them. She rolled her eyes as Jane started talking to Steve. "I think he said he was out with Chrissy, the last time I asked about him." Steve said as he shrugged his shoulders. Him and Eddie hadn't been able to relax and chill like they use to since he has been on the road with the band. Maxine glance over at Dustin, and smirked when he did his growl sound. "Looking good." she said, she waved bye to Dustin. "Do you two need a ride?" Steve asked as he grabbed his things. "I have to take Robin and Vickie home, I can take you two home too if you want." he said with a shrug as he made sure the other two were ready to go. Maxine looked at her phone and sighed. "Yeah, I think Billy is drunk somewhere by now." she said, her and her stepbrother's bond got better since highs school. He wasn't a total dick anymore, just only when he drunk and he made sure he wasn't around Maxine when he did so. It worked out pretty good. Steve nodded and looked over at Jane. "What about you?" he asked.
"So is there anyone special in your life?" Mr. Wyatt asked with a chuckle as Michael took the shot with no problem. He shook his head while he caught as he got his breath back. He placed the shot glass down in front of him. "No.. It's nothing special about people anymore.. They are all the same at the end." he said, not meaning to sound like one of them people. But it was the truth no matter where someone came from, their race or even how they were raised they always seemed to do the same thing when it came to him at least. Michael hadn't noticed Will until Mr. Wyatt walked off to make a drink for another customer. He took another shot of whisky, when he placed the shot glass down. He felt eyes on him and decided to glance around. He then saw a man sitting a couple sits from him. He raised an eyebrow then he sighed in slight annoyance when he realized who he was looking at. Will. He had to admit it wasn't like he did anything really for Michael not to like him but, it was clear from the first that they didn't get along. He wasn't sure if he should say something or not. He sighed as he went into his pocket and placed money on the bar for his drinks, plus some. Since he knew how much Mr. Wyatt worked to keep the bar open. He grabbed his guitar once he was on his two feet. When he walked passed he stopped, he sighed he had ignored Jane, he knew ignoring Will would actually make him seem spiteful. "How is everyone, Will." he asked.
“Really?” Jane looked mildly surprised. “Chrissy? Wow, that’s a shocker. I thought it’d be the other way around, where she was too busy doing her cheerleading stuff. Anyways, I should probably check up with my brother first.” With a small sigh, she heard something vibrate in her pocket and pulled out her phone, having gotten a notification. “..Speak of the devil. Yeah, we’ll need a ride back, he’s apparently too grouchy to take us back himself. You sure that’s okay?” Jane asked while she texted a quick ‘ok’ back to her brother. But having heard what Max said about Billy, she frowned sadly. ‘Oh dear.’ “He hasn’t…done anything, right?” She whispered to the girl beside her.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Will had gotten a bit…lost in thought. That was up until he overheard his ring tone despite the loud cheers and yelling and singing. He opened it, read what Jane said, and then put his phone back into his pocket. Just as he was about to get up, he nearly jumped out of his own skin as Mike started talking to him. It shouldn’t have been anything, but something like fear or anger crawled up his spine. “Uhm- they’re…fine. They’re fine. Great, actually.” He replied, voice monotone. He kind of sunk into the bar stool, an old habit he had kept from middle school and above. ‘Not like you care, anyways. Cut the crap.’ Will wanted to say, but it was against his nature. Not to mention how, well…yes, it was rude, but it was farfetched and he didn’t want to cause any problems, no matter how awkward the situation at hand was.
((Sorry this is so short! I’m super busy today so yeah.))
[IT IS FINE. AS LONG AS IT'S NOT A ONE LINER, I CAN WORK WITH IT.]
"I don't know. He just said he is a little drunk and he won't be able to pick me up." Maxine said with a shrug of her shoulders as she glanced over at Jane and then at Steve. He gave a smile and nodded. "Yeah, its fine." he said as he motioned for them to follow him, he always parked his truck in the back. Max nodded and followed him as lead them out the back door. "Me and Vickie will get on the back." Robin said as she opened the bed of the truck door and got in. She helped Vickie with everything before she helped Vickie get onto the truck. Maxine opened the door, she moved aside to let Jane. Once she was in, she climbed into the truck herself.
Mike knew what Will was thinking. It was on his face even though he was sure Will thought he was hiding his thoughts every while. Will was partly right, he didn't really care. But sometimes it hit him like a wrecking ball how much he actually missed hanging with the family. It wasn't bad hanging with them since at least they were actually a family. While his was pretty much broken at this point, he didn't notice it when he was younger but the older he got the more he realized that his mother and father's love for each other die years ago. He sighed and shrugged before he spoke. "I know.. I don't really speak to you guys much but, I miss hanging with the family a little." he said. He knew that Will probably won't believe him but that didn't matter to him. Then he remembered he had bought something for Joyce a couple days ago, when he remembered her birthday was coming up. "I have a gift for your mother.. I know her birthday is coming up. I will bring it over.." he said before he walked over not saying anything else.
Jane nodded slowly. “Okay…if you say so.” She mumbled. Following Steve out to the truck, she couldn’t help but pause and look around. Ah, there it was. ‘That little liar.’ She thought, staring directly at Will’s car. Jane didn’t have her own car yet, but she was working on the money. Then she sighed and hopped in to the familiar vehicle, looking out of the window.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Will was quiet for another brief few seconds, leaning on the table with one hand cupping his cheek. “Really? Huh. Well, pretty sure Jane is in connection with just about everyone, so…” Will dragged on, hoping his point was made. His social life honestly was quite bad and other then talking to his family and close friends, this was the most he had ever spoken to someone in probably a good two months. His thoughts lingered to that someone he’d met before, but they had lost contact. “Oh, uhm- thank you for doing that. Do you need me to give you her new address or has someone already told you?” Will asked, raising his head slightly. ‘So, this guy ignores pretty much the entire population, yet he remember’s mom’s birthday? Weird. But she’d be happy about it.’ He internally scoffed, yet noticed something was off. Mike obviously had something on his mind. Of course, Will always assumed those things, and yes, he was usually right — although now he was unsure and having self-doubts for no particular reason. ‘Ah, whatever. If he does need her address, he’s lucky I got paper.’ Then again…Will kind of always had paper on him. He even took napkins from restaurants on occasion when things weren’t so good, just to draw on them minutes later. Nevertheless, his hands were basically plated with little drawings of stars and dragons and spaceships. Simple little things, nothing big.
Michael was about to walk off when Will brought up Joyce having a new address, he stopped and glanced back. He never thought they would move out of that small house. It was far from everyone and the last time he was there, Joyce loved that house for that main factor. Michael sighed and nodded, as he patted his pants looking for a pen. "Yeah, I do actually." he said as he kept looking. When he realized that Will had a pen and a piece of paper. Michael stopped searching on himself. He took the paper once Will was done writing. "Thanks." he said, he turned his back on Will once again. He was about to say something, but he changed his mind and started walking off again. Once he was outside the bar, he took in a deep breath. Deep down Mike hated crowded places but, he loved playing music at the same time. He started walking off to his apartment, he rented until the band had to leave again. It was far away, which is way he didn't bother getting a ride from Steve.
Maxine sat in the car quietly as she texted Lucas, telling him about the band. And letting him know who Hellfire really were, she knew he would actually be shocked just like she was. She had a feeling that he wouldn't text her back anytime soon but, she still wanted him to feel include. She ended the text with I got a ride from Steve, I will try calling you when I get home. she quickly sent the text and bit her lip. She glanced over at Jane and let out a soft sigh.
Will inhaled through his nose, sighing as he said, “yep… no problem.” It was then that he realized how awkward the entire ordeal was. Feeling just a tad bit glad that the ravenette had walked out of the place. It wasn’t like he could help it. Besides, it made him feel queasy when talking to people. Especially people he hadn’t spoken to in a while, or just never at all. So, yes, he was grateful that socializing hadn’t taken its toll on him. Paying the bartender, he rose up from his seat, continuing to draw on his arm now that he had the pen out of his back pocket. He didn’t even realize he was walking towards his car until the cold air hit him. Hissing in annoyance, Will quickly rushed to the white-toned Toyota Sequoia that he’d saved up for until last year when he finally earned enough profit and got it. Sliding into the front seat, he immediately turned the heater on and let the car engine start up, only taking off after it had done so.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jane was completely silent, from the moment they got into the car until the moment it was close to her own stop. Feeling someone looking at her, she instinctively sat up in an alert kind of manner. Turning her head to the right, where Max sat, she scrunched up her nose. “What is it?” She asked, voice quiet. The radio was busy playing a few, brand new released songs, even if the volume wasn’t all the way up. So she didn’t know entirely if the redhead heard her or not.
