Chapter Text
The moving truck’s tires crunched along the quiet streets of Hawkins, and Will’s stomach did little flips with every bump. He clutched the strap of his backpack like it was a lifeline, though it didn’t help much. New town. New house. New stepdad. His mom’s bright smile and Hopper’s gruff efficiency didn’t make the knot in his chest any smaller.
Joyce moved through the house like she was trying to convince herself this was a fresh start. She hummed softly, arranging boxes and unpacking dishes, her eyes brighter than he’d seen them in months. Hopper grunted as he wrestled the couch up the stairs, muttering under his breath about every stubborn corner and uneven floorboard. And then there was Jane. Jane, bouncing around with her usual whirlwind energy, arms full of boxes, ideas spilling from her mouth faster than Will could process.
Will followed silently, setting his bag down in his new room. It smelled faintly of paint and furniture polish, sun spilling across the floor in gold stripes through the half-open blinds. He set down a box of books and ran his fingers over the cover of one, feeling the smooth edges like a lifeline to something familiar.
“This one’s yours!” Jane announced, hopping onto the windowsill. “I picked it because it’s sunny and bright. You’ll like it.”
Will managed a small nod, though he wasn’t so sure. Sunny and bright didn’t change the fact that this town felt like a maze and that everyone in it would be new, including him.
He placed his hand on the desk, imagining it covered in sketches, comics, and random doodles. His room could be his corner of the world here—but he wasn’t sure if the world would let him feel at home.
Hopper’s voice called from downstairs. “Break time! Drinks and snacks. Come help me carry these boxes.”
Will exhaled, letting himself follow, though every creak of the floorboard felt magnified. New house, new life… new everything.
The rest of the afternoon was a blur of boxes and furniture, the hum of moving tape, and the occasional thump when something wasn’t quite set right.
Will found a moment to peek out the front window, scanning the quiet streets. Houses with their own lights spilling softly into driveways, kids’ bikes leaning against fences, neighbors moving through the evening in gentle rhythms.
Maybe Hawkins could be okay. Maybe he could be okay here.
“Will?” Jane’s voice broke through his thoughts again. She was holding one of his boxes and leaning in slightly. “You’re quiet. Everything alright?”
“Yeah,” he muttered, forcing a small smile. “Just… thinking.”
Jane tilted her head, eyes narrowing, but she didn’t press. “Good. Because tomorrow—your first day—you’re coming with me. You’re gonna meet
some friends. You’ll see… it won’t be so bad.”
Friends. The word made him swallow. Complicated, unfamiliar… maybe dangerous. But there was something in Jane’s confidence that made him think maybe he could survive. Maybe he could even like it.
He set his eyes on the street again, letting the late afternoon sun spill over his room, warm and golden, like it was quietly promising something.
Because even if he didn’t know it yet, Hawkins was going to change everything.
And maybe—just maybe—it could be the start of something he hadn’t even realized he was waiting for.