#chat:will

[nancydrewheeler]

Nancy remembered when she had been assigned a freshman to take around the school; it was when Mike and his friends had been in the very grade of student she'd had to mentor. It was strange, now, to see them on the other side, to think that they might have some sort of advice or direction to give someone else when Nancy still saw them as the preteens in her basement.

Will had always been a shy kid, even before the supernatural had gotten ahold of him. Still, Nancy felt her lips curl into a frown, saddened by the thought that he somehow knew less about the high school experience than the rest of his friends just because his looked different. "Of course you do. Your classwork wasn't any different, right? And, you've been to the high school enough times to know your way around. I think that counts," she pointed out, encouraging.

Still, Nancy knew it wasn't the traditional high school path the rest of his close friends had taken, and even if he'd had El by his side, it wasn't the same. "If you ever need anything, though, you can always ask. Not that, um, I mean--I'm sure Jonathan would also happily help you. But, still." It was the acknowledgement that she was there for him, if he ever needed her, even if they didn't see each other as often nowadays.

"Hey, Nancy," he smiled, lips pulled tight by the hint of guilt he still couldn't help but feel. Breakups were hard enough, he assumed, without having to see your ex's little brother in your own house all the time. Despite Mike's assurance that it was fine, Will had been doing his best to stay out of Nancy's path-- besides, it's not like Mike was exactly known to everyone else for his sensitivity.

Will was relieved that Nancy seemed to be taking his question seriously. He supposed, out of everyone else he knew, she was the classic mentor figure. Straight A's, college scholarship, studying abroad-- maybe Will could connect his freshman to Nancy instead; She might be more useful.

Her answer, unexpected but undeniably true, prompted an airy laugh. "Yeah... that's a good one." Though he hoped none of the freshmen would learn that the hard way. Will sighed, twisting his lips into a half-frown at the idea of sitting across from a thirteen-year-old and acting like he had any advice about high school. "They're making us do this... mentorship thing. For the freshmen," Will explained, pressing his hands flat on the tabletop. "And it's not like... I don't have a problem with doing it. I just... don't know anything about high school."

[nancydrewheeler]

Nancy didn't like to think that she was avoiding the Melvald's booth, but rather, that she was waiting until the right time to stop by. With a certain member of the Byers family's whereabouts unknown, she'd found herself at the top and bottom of Main Street more times than she'd like to admit while she waited. When she was sure and certain it was only the youngest Byers brother at the booth, Nancy finally sucked in a breath and decided to approach.

"Hey, Will," she greeted, about to ask if his mom was around, or if he was excited for the start of senior year, before Will had a question of his own for her.

The Nancy Wheeler that existed back in freshman year of high school was unrecognizable from the one that stood in front of him now. Eight years ago, she'd never dreamt of leaving Hawkins, nor would she believe half of the things both she and Will had seen. Her old self probably would've placed her bets on not even making it this far; the belief in herself only a consequence of the things they'd survived along the way.

"Something I wish I knew as a freshman," she echoed. Nancy could deliver a whole laundry list if she thought hard enough, but there was just one that she truly believed every teenager should hear, one she was certain would resonate with Will, too. "Expect the unexpected. I hope you don't need me to elaborate on that one," Nancy added with a knowing smile. "Gathering all your best advice before you have to give it?"

who: will byers & open! where: back to school block party!

There were a lot of things to be worried about heading into senior year. For one, Will was already bracing himself for the same kind of torment he got in middle school. Sure, Lucas was popular now and Will at least had the Hellfire Club to fall back on in the friend category, but that didn't change his status as homeschooled-zombie-boy-freak. On top of that, Mom had just gotten an administration job at Hawkins High, which she swears is just a good opportunity-- but bring-your-mom-to-school day wasn't likely to score him any cool points, either. Not that Will particularly cared about being cool-- he mostly just wanted to be left alone.

Then they sent the letter home about Freshman Focus day, and assigned Will a freshman to mentor. He was more than a little panicked about this-- what the hell could he possibly tell an incoming freshman that would have any merit? Don't bike home at night? If you start seeing visions, tell someone because you might be possessed? Will sighed, hoisting a box of school supplies onto the folding chair behind the Melvald's booth and beginning to sort the notebooks according to color. Jonathan had stepped away for a smoke break, and Will didn't think any of his friends were here yet, so he didn't mind finishing the setup.

When a potential customer looked his way, Will offered a gentle smile, dropping his hand onto the table and smoothing out the forest green tablecloth. "Hi!" he greeted, watching them for a moment before asking, "Can I ask you sort of a weird question?" Will decided to go for it, desperate for any piece of wisdom he could dispense to his mentee on Saturday. "What's something you wish you knew as a freshman?"