There's No Place Like Hawkins//Stranger Things. SH

THREE

The Vanishing Of Will Byers

Jonathan's car pulled up next to Hawkins' High School. "Thanks for the lift Jonathan." Catherine said as she grabbed her bag from between her feet.

"No problem Cat. Do you want me to give you a lift after school since you left your bike at mine?"

Cat opened the door. "Sure. But I'll call you if something comes up, okay." She climbed out the car and leaned on the door for a second. "See you later Byers."

"See you later Henderson." Cat shut the car door and waved as Jonathan drove away. As she turned around, she spotted Nancy heading into the school building.

"Hey, Wheeler!" She called, shoving past people in order to reach the girl. "Oi, Nancy. Wait up."

Nancy finally heard her and stopped walking, turning around to face Cat.

"Oh, hey Catherine. I didn't see you."

"Or hear me, apparently. And I told you, I hate being called Catherine. The name sucks. Cat is much cooler."

Before the two could talk anymore and actually catch up on life, Barbara fell in line with the two of them, walking next to Nancy. "So, did he call?"

"Did who call?" Cat asked them, not understanding.

"Steve. And keep your voice down, Barb." Cat rolled her eyes. Of course it would be Steve they were talking about. When were they not talking about Nancy's significant other, Catherine's ex-best friend and secret crush?

"Did he?" Barbara asked.

"Yeah, Nancy, did your pretty little boyfriend call?" Cat asked, clearly mocking the girl. She didn't mean to, but it was becoming annoying with how often Nancy talked about Steve Harrington.

"I told you, it's not like that." Barbara gave Nancy a look, knowing she was lying. "Okay, I mean, yes, he likes me, but not like that."

"Then like what? How does he like you if it's not 'like that'?" Cat asked. "I've seen him look at you and it's very clear how much he likes you."

The three girls approached Nancy's locker. "We just... made out a couple times." Nancy told the two other girls as she opened her locker. Catherine leaned on the locker next to Nancy's, watching her friends.

"'We just... made out a couple times.'" Barbara mocked Nancy, using a dreamy voice. "Nance, seriously, you're gonna be so cool now, it's ridiculous."

"No, I'm not." Nancy disagreed.

"You are. You totally are, Wheeler." Cat told her, looking completely bored as she leaned on her locker.

"You better still hang out with us, that's all I'm saying."

"Yeah. I don't want to be anymore lonely than I already am." Cat added.