DANCIN' ► DUSTIN HENDERSON [1]

4/4

"CAN YOU PLEASE just explain to me what happened?" Dustin begged, riding his bike in big circles around Jasper as the two rode home that afternoon. "You completely blacked out on us at school. You were almost more drained than El, and you didn't even do anything."

"I don't know what happened, Dustin," Jasper sighed in exasperation. "If I did I sure as hell wouldn't be this confused."

"It doesn't make any sense," the Henderson boy grumbled. "You could've gotten hurt, you know that?" His voice was oddly stern.

"Okay, Dad," she giggled, rolling her eyes. Dustin gave her an incredulous look, as if to say how can you be laughing right now?

"I'll talk to you more on our channel," Jasper breathed, keeping her gaze focused on the street ahead. Dustin and the redhead stopped in front of the turn towards Jasper's house. "I have to get home though. Hopper wanted me home before seven today for some reason."

Dustin pressed his lips together, gazing at Jasper in complete silence. His blue eyes seemed to glow in the evening sunlight. "C'mon, Jas—"

"I know you're scared Dustin," Jasper cut him off, leaning back in her bike seat.

"Yeah, scared for you," he mumbled, something in his voice causing Jasper's heart to break inside. "You're acting all weird and I don't like it. If anything happens to you..."

"I'm scared too," she breathed out quietly. "I honestly don't know what the hell happened at school. And for some reason, I can't even remember it that well. All I could remember was that horrible feeling of the static. How it felt so...apart of me."

Dustin's hands tightened on his handlebars as he processed what she just said. "Was there any sort of side effects maybe?" he suggested, prodding at her to continue.

"Yep," Jasper murmured. "Nosebleed." Before the curly-haired boy could say more, she kicked up the break on her bike and began speeding off towards home. "I'll see you tomorrow!"

"What the hell?" He screamed after her, waving his arms frantically. Another sigh escaped his lips as he realized she wouldn't be coming back. "Bye, Jasper! Remember to join our channel tonight!"

Jasper let out a small chuckle, playfully rolling her eyes, even if Dustin couldn't see her. She was trying to stay lighthearted, but she couldn't deny that Dustin was right. This was serious. Especially since she could hardly remember what had happened three hours ago at the school.

"What the hell?" Jasper let out a short gasp once she entered her house. Instead of Ruby usually sitting at the dining table, sipping her coffee, Hopper was standing in the hallway. "Where's Ruby?"

"She's out," he answered in a gruff voice, removing his hat and placing it on the table again. "We need to talk," he sighed in exhaustion, plopping down on the couch.

"Sure, one second," Jasper held up a finger, trailing into the kitchen. She reached inside the fridge and pulled out a can of Coke, opening it and taking a swig. "Okay," she let out a huge breath, sitting down next to Hopper. "What is it?"

"Joyce Byers told me she saw Will today," Hopper began.

Jasper stiffened at his words, her fingers wrapping around the Coke can tightly. "What?"