Invisible String || S. H.

5: the flee and the acrobat

Mollie (pov)

"Dustin, can you not wear a hat for once, please," I ask as I help him get ready for the funeral.

"I guess. I can put it back on when we get home, right," he answered.

"Yeah, just let the curls out for today," I said, giving him a smile through the mirror.

Mom, Dustin and I headed for the funeral in the morning. When we got there at the church, the first person I locked eyes with was Jonathan. I couldn't help but be next to him and give him some comfort without telling him what I heard yesterday. So I sucked up any courage I had and made my ways towards him.

"Hey, Jonathan. How are you," I asked awkwardly.

"Uhm, well. I could be better. My dad's here so it's weird to say the least. Also, I didn't get the chance to apologize to you yesterday. I wanted to but you weren't at school and-"

"Jonathan, I forgive you but it's gonna be hard to forget about it. Just promise me no pictures without my consent, please."

"Yeah, I promise."

"All right now, come here so I can give you a hug," I said with my arms stretched out wide. I could tell he really needed the hug since he wouldn't let go. I asked if anything was wrong and he told me that his dad showed up last night, I understood now. I ended the hug after a solid minute and asked if I could help with anything. He answered by asking me to sit with him and his family while putting Will's body down. I didn't mind sitting with the family so I said yes.

Putting Will's body in the ground was hard to process since I know he's still alive and I had to go along with everything for the sake of my sanity. Jonathan and I were in between his parents, Jonathan next to his mom and me next to his dad. It was weird for me since I barely know him and today was the first time meeting him.

The whole thing felt like a blur of time that passed quickly. After everyone threw their flowers down, it dawned on me that Jonathan and I were holding hands, not in any romantic way but like it was an "in need of comfort" type.

"Uhm, J. what's up with this," I ask, holding up and showing him our intertwined hands.

He quickly withdrew his hand away and apologized and told me that he'll meet me inside the church and walked off over to Nancy. I asked him what for since she's also my friend and told me not to worry and it's not important.

I couldn't help but feel a little bit hurt and excluded from the two of them, both of them are my closest friends. Why didn't they want to include me? Fucking bullshit.

I had to stay with Dustin since mom had to go into work. Babysitting again. I let him and the others roam but still in my eyesight so that if they run I'd be able to follow.

The boys were at the next table while I was sitting by myself just listening in on everyone else's conversations. The only interesting conversation was from Mr. Clarke and the kids, unsurprisingly. The flea and the acrobat, a fun analogy that I partially understood. Then Dustin said something about the Vale of Shadows and that got my full attention.

Mr. Clarke went on to explain the theory to the boys as I made my way to their table and stood behind Dustin. Their teacher was going on about having to create a massive amount of energy to get to the upside-down. Creating a gate to another dimension.

After the funeral, Dustin and I rode back to the Wheeler's house by Mr. Wheeler. To say the car ride was awkward was the least of it. Nancy didn't even look at me even though I was sitting right next to her, just hoping she would say something about what she and Jonathan were up to. Not even a half hour later she had changed out of her dress from the morning and was on her way out the door. I knew this would probably be my only chance to get something out of her.