It's just polyester •byler

Chapter 5: Only shadows ahead

October, 1985. Benton, Illinois.

"-and you're still coming over for Thanksgiving? Oh, and Will too of course. But you're coming?"

"Yes Mike, Joyce said we'll be there on the 27th"

There's a pause

"And Christmas?"

"And Christmas."

There's another pause

"I can't wait to see you, I can't believe you've been gone a week"

"I know. You're the first person I called after we got the phone set up"

"Really?"

"Of course Mike, you're my boyfriend"

"You sure? I wasn't sure after all-"

"Of course Mike, I love you too, remember?"

El hears a soft laugh down the end of the phone "Well, as long as you're my girlfriend- wait sorry that's kind of obvious I guess"

"No more lies?"

"As long as girlfriends don't spy"

El laughs, and sees Will approaching her out of the corner of her eye giving a small wave in recognition

"El I gotta go. But I'll talk to you tomorrow, ok?

"Tomorrow"

"Goodnight El"

"Goodnight Mike"

Smiling to herself, she hangs up the phone. She turns to where Will has stopped in the hallway. He has a curious look on his face, almost as if he were trying to calculate the situation

"That was Mike?" He asks

She gives a small nod

"I thought you ' dumped his ass' ?"

El shrugs "He loves me"

Will's face has an expression that El can't quite read. She sees his eyes briefly flicker down to the floor before meeting hers again, a small, if not reluctant, smile on his face.

"That's great El. I'm happy for you."

And with that, he heads toward the kitchen to help Joyce with lunch.

November, 1985. Hawkins, Indiana.

When El runs into Mike's arms when they're reunited at Thanksgiving it happens. Will is watching them, a knot in his stomach witnessing the embrace, when a rush of pure unadulterated happiness falls over him. The feeling knocks him for six, and he feels a chill as he senses an all too familiar tingling in his neck. El's attention shifts immediately from Mike, to stare at Will. She didn't know what she was feeling, she couldn't quite put her finger on all of the emotions rushing through her, but confusion, anxiety and fear take precedent and she feels herself go limp in Mike's arms

"El?" She hears Mike ask, concern in his voice, still holding her close in his arms, "You ok?"

She says nothing, still looking at Will, whilst he stares back, wide eyed.

"Will? "

She removes herself from Mike, darting over to Will, whose fingers were currently palpating against the left side of his neck. Not quite holding, like a few months prior, but more searching for a connection he thought had disappeared.

He's brought out of the moment when he feels fingers wrap around his own, removing them from his neck. Will's eyes meet El's own and he entangles his fingers within hers, squeezing her hand slightly, the movement grounding him further.