STRANGER ≪ °❈° ≫ THINGS

What Are Friends For? || Jonathan Byers

The living room filled with laughter as everyone clinked and clanked their wine glasses together. You smiled and looked over to see the kids doing their own toasts with their sparkling ciders in their own dixie paper cups.

The Wheeler's decided to throw a New Year's party this year and you happily attended. Everyone was scattered in the living room and dining room spending time with one another.

"Cheers!" You squealed with a smile as you brought your glass towards Nancy's glass then towards Steve's glass. "Here here!" Steve said as he smiled up at you. "Hey Nance thanks for inviting me. I'm having a great time." You tell her while looking down at your Y/F/C silk dress. Nancy smiles and sits up straighter on Steve's lap and intertwines her fingers with his. "Of course! I'm so glad you're here. I'm happy you're enjoying yourself. I know I am." She replied. You look over towards the kids to see them laughing as they make bubbles in their cups. "I know for a fact everyone is having a great time." You replied before switching your gaze towards the parents now, who are still laughing and drinking their wine.

You raised an eyebrow after looking around the living room and kitchen. You realized something and someone was missing. You look back over to Nancy and Steve who are now giggling and giving each other small kisses. Feeling awkward, you excuse yourself and walk away and walked towards the kids.

"Cheers to you all!" You say as you bring your glass towards their cups. "Sorry Y/N but you have adult juice." Dustin peeped as he backed his cup away from yours. You furrowed your eyebrows and laugh. "Oh, pardon me for having adult juice." You say as you toast with Lucas and Mike. You look over at Dustin and salute him. "Cheers Henderson." You said. He chuckled and saluted back at you.

"Cheers Y/L/N." He replied. "At ease soldier." You say and then couldn't help but laugh. You turned to face Will. "Ah! My favorite Byers brother!" You tell him and bring your glass with his cup. "Cheers Y/N!" He said with a smile. "Right back at ya!" You replied with a smile. After you took a sip form your glass you leaned in closer to Will to whisper "Hey, where's my least favorite Byers brother?" to his ear. Will chuckled and pointed towards the door with his head. "Being a grinch for New Years." He replied. You look over towards the direction to where Will pointed and saw two pairs of feet sticking out resting on the staircase that lead to the second floor. You leaned away from him and gave Will a smile. "Thanks." You replied while scruffing his hair before you left.

You walk over towards the staircase to find Jonathan sitting alone on the second to last stair. He sat looking down at the ground as he held his glass. "Hey you." You say walking up to him. Jonathan blinks and looks up at you. You smile and tilt your head. "Oh hey." He says softly. You playfully roll your eyes and walk up to him to sit down on the same step to sit right next to him. You let out a sigh and nudged his leg with your leg. "What's the matter Mr. Grinch?" You asked. Jonathan looked back down on the ground. "Why are you here and not there?" You asked pointing towards where everyone else was. He sat there silent, no response. "Hmm?" You ask raising your arm to poke him in his arm. Still no response. "Jonathan." You say. He pressed his lips together and sighed. "I don't want to be here." He replied.

The two of you went silent and you looked over at Jonathan and you couldn't help but chuckle. "Well me too, but I'm here." You replied. Jonathan raised his head and looked over towards the living room. "You really think I want to be here seeing that?" He asks as you move your head to look over at the living room. You both look over to see Nancy and Steve who are now full on making out on the couch, but thankfully, Nancy's head and hair is blocking you both from seeing any lip to lip interaction. You noticed Steve's hands and how they held onto Nancy tightly and how he held her face on the side that her head and hair blocked and prevented you to see him devour her. "Damn." You said under your breath. Jonathan quickly moved his head to look at you as he gives you a look. You felt your heart skip a beat and your eyes widened. You moved your gaze from the two in the living room to Jonathan who gave you a weirded and offended look. "I'm so sorry." You said placing your hand over your mouth. "Yeah you're not helping." He said annoyed. You pressed your lips together and furrow your eyebrows while looking down at your shoes.