Bound By Shadows 3 | Will Byers x Reader (Fem)

~ 11 ~

This. This was the part I never thought I'd get. Not after the lab. Not after the Upside Down. But here he was — solid and real, and mine.

When we finally pulled apart, we were both smiling.

"I missed you," he whispered, his voice a little shaky, like he hadn't meant to admit it out loud.

I laughed, bumping my forehead against his. "You saw me yesterday."

"Still," he smiled. His thumb brushed over my knuckles, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

That stupid, giddy ache swelled in my chest. I pulled back just enough to raise a brow at him. "C'mon. Let's go watch some zombies get eaten."

He chuckled, shaking his head at me. "Romantic."

"What?" I grinned, tugging him over the threshold. "I love a good mood setter."

*****

The wind whipped past my face as I pedalled hard, sneakers thudding against the pedals, the summer air sticky against my skin. Will coasted right beside me, his hair flying everywhere.

"You think they're already there?" I yelled over the rush of air.

Will huffed out a laugh. "Lucas? He probably showed up half an hour early just to complain about us being late."

"Classic Sinclair," I grinned, leaning into the turn.

By the time Starcourt's neon glow came into view, the whole sky was washed in pink and blue. The thump of music leaked through the glass doors, cars honking in the lot, laughter buzzing everywhere. Hawkins had never looked so alive.

We rolled up to the bike racks, my tires screeching slightly as I stopped. I kicked the stand down and shoved sweaty hair off my forehead.

And there they were — Lucas and Max posted up by the entrance like mall royalty. Lucas had his arms crossed, trying for "too cool," but his grin gave him away. Max waved both arms like she was flagging down a plane.

"Finally!" Lucas shouted. "What, did you guys stop to make out behind the gas station?"

Will nearly choked on air, face turning bright red.

I raised a brow. "No, but thanks for the idea."

Max snorted so loud people looked. Will groaned, burying his face in his hands.

"God, I missed you," I said, pulling Max into a hug. Six days without her and it felt like a year. She hugged back, squeezing tight before shoving me away.

"You missed me? Please," she scoffed. "I've been stuck with him all week."

Lucas gasped, clutching his chest. "Excuse me? I'm amazing company."

"You're loud company," she shot back.

We piled our bikes in a crooked heap against the rack, not even locking them properly, and claimed a spot against the wall near the doors. Warm night air clung to my skin; the mall hummed behind us.

"Where's Mike?" Will asked, looking around.

Lucas groaned dramatically. "Where do you think? Still staring into El's eyes like a lovesick puppy."

Max rolled her eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. "He said he was leaving fifteen minutes ago."

I tilted my head back, staring at the sky — no stars thanks to all the mall lights, just hazy orange clouds. Still, it felt like summer humming under my skin. "Alright. Bets. How long till he gets here?"