Downside Up [W.Byers]

053

"Well, that settles it. He's gonna die. They're gonna die." Erica sighs, walking back over to Dustin and the others. "Yep, most likely." He nods.

"You guys survived." Lucas states. "Barely." Dustin replies. "We couldn't really used you guys down there." Ruby adds, glancing at Will.

"Could've used you up here, too." Mike nods. "Yeah, man. We missed you guys." Lucas smiles. "Yeah. Big-time." Will says. Ruby clears her throat nervously, looking off to the side.

"I missed you guys, too." Dustin smiles, joining them in a group hug. "Big time."
"Please don't cry, nerds." Erica rolls her eyes. "Erica." Lucas says in annoyance. "Keep saying my name, see what happens." She threatens.

"Hey, heads up. You can navigate, just from someplace safe." Hopper passes Dustin a walkie talkie. "It's not that simple." Dustin shakes his head. "The signal won't reach." Erica adds.

"Not with this. You need something with a high enough frequency band to relay with the Russians' radio tower. But for that to work, you need someone who has both seen their comms room and has access to a super powered handcrafted radio tower, one preferably already situated at the highest point in Hawkins."

"Dustin, I think he gets it." Ruby whispers. "Oh, wait. That's me." Dustin smirks. "You want us to navigate, you got us. But we need a head start." Dustin turns to Erica and Ruby. "And a car."

Ruby looks towards Erica, who curiously looks back. "Um, are you constipated or something?" She sasses. "What? Oh! No."

"Then what are you looking at me for, nerd?" She crosses her arms. "I, uh.." She sighs, glancing back over at Will, who's talking to Lucas.

"Oh, I see." She smirks. Just as Ruby turns back, Erica grabs her arm, forcefully pulling her towards Will. "Erica, What are you doing?"

"Excuse me. Excuse me, nerd." She calls, tapping his shoulder.

"Uh, Yeah?" Will asks, glancing over at Ruby. As soon as their eyes meet, Ruby's heart begins to pound. "I think Ruby has a couple things to say to you."

"Uh, no I don't." Ruby says, attempting to walk away. "Ah, ah, ah! You're not leaving!" Erica pushes her, causing her to fall directly into Will's arms.

"Oh, sorry." She quickly says as will helps her up. "It's okay." He chuckles nervously. Ruby turns around, watching as Erica joins Dustin, Robin, and Steve. "Where's Ruby?" Dustin asks. "I think she'll be staying here." Erica smirks.

Ruby glares at her, before turning back to Will. "I-I'm sorry about her." She sighs. "She's Um..."

"Yeah.." Will nods. Ruby laughs nervously once again, pulling a strand of hair behind her ear. The two stand in silence for a moment, awkwardly forcing their eyes away from each other.

Will sighs. "Ruby-" before he could finish his sentence, Ruby wraps her arms around him, sobbing into his shoulder. It takes Will by surprise for a moment, before he slowly brings his arms around her torso.

"I'm so sorry I left, Will." She cries. "I'm sorry I was a jerk." He responds. "Will, I've been so worried. Are you okay?" She asks, pulling out of the hug.

"Ruby, I'm not worried about me. I'm worried about you." Will says, holding up her hand. "What happened?" He asks, looking down at the wrapped up palm.

"It's a long story." She sighs. Joyce walks up to the two, a worried expression on her face. "Ruby, Will, thank god." She smiles, wrapping the both of them in a hug.

"Listen to me, I need to end this, but I will be back before you know it, okay?" She says. "I don't know, mom." Will sighs.

"No, you're gonna be safe there. It's— it's far away from all of this. You just stick close to each other and Johnathan and— and do whatever he says. No matter what. Okay?"

"I'm worried about you, mom." Will states. "Oh, honey, I'm gonna be fine." She reassures. "Okay? I'm gonna be fine." She wraps the both of them in another hug. Will sighs. "Okay, Mom." He says, struggling to breathe. Ruby chuckles. "Okay, mom. That's enough."

"I'm gonna be fine." Joyce repeats. "Okay. Mom, I can't breathe." Will says. Ruby manages to sneak herself out of the hug, laughing at the two. "Okay, mom. Can I talk to ruby now?" Will asks.

"Fine.." She sighs, moving away. "Ruby, I need to tell you something. And I've wanted to tell you this for a while now.." Will begins.

"Yeah?" She asks. "I l—"

"We should probably go." Mike states, cutting him off. Will sighs, following Mike, Lucas, Max, and El.

"Mike." Hopper Calls, causing him to turn around. "Be careful." Mike nods, then walks away. Nancy and Johnathan follow as well. "What did you wanna tell me?" Ruby asks.

Will sighs, intertwining their fingers. "Never mind. It's nothing."