byler "Quiet Attraction"

Mike Wheeler was used to being the school nerd. Glasses, tousled hair, T-shirts with his favorite games, and endless conversations about D&D had long since made him a person easier to call weird than to understand. His world consisted of board games, comics, and friends with whom he could spend hours debating fantasy.

Will Byers existed in a completely different world. Black clothes, silver rings, dark makeup, headphones, and a habit of sketching dark scenes in a notebook. He hardly spoke to anyone and clearly had no intention of changing his image for the sake of other people's opinions.

They never really interacted until one day the teacher sat them at the same desk.

“Just don’t look at me like that,” Mike muttered, noticing Will’s gaze.

— I'm actually looking at the board.

• Ah. Well... okay.

After that, Mike began to notice Will constantly. He'd hold the door for him, find an excuse to talk, or stare at his drawings for too long. Every time Will got too close, Mike would start uttering some utter nonsense.

One day after school, Will noticed Mike trying to sneak a look at his new bracelet.

— Do you want to see?

— What? No! I just… happened to be looking.

• Certainly.

Will extended his hand. Mike carefully touched the bracelet, but immediately pulled his fingers back as if he'd been burned.

• Beautiful.

• Thank you.

They were silent for a few seconds.

“You’re blushing,” Will suddenly noticed.

• I didn't blush.

— He blushed.

• This is lighting.

Will chuckled softly, smiling genuinely for the first time in a long time.

The next day, Mike sat next to him again during recess. This time for no reason.

"Are you here again?" Will asked.

Mike adjusted his glasses and looked away.

• Yeah. It's... fine here.

Will looked at him, smiled slightly, and moved over to make room next to him.

• Then stay.