Chapter 2: Chapter Two: Going Crazy
Once Spencer had dropped Asher off at school, he headed to the high school. Pulling into a parking spot next to Steve Harrington, who was casually leaning on the hood of his car. Spencer hopped out of the car, grabbing his bag from the floor board.
Harrington looked over with a grin, "G'morning, Donovan."
Spencer smirked, "Morning, Harrington."
Steve pushed himself off of his car and walked alongside Spencer as they went into the school. Steve sent smiles and waves to almost everyone the two passed. Once they got to Spencer's locker Steve finally spoke again.
"Movie night tonight? My house?" Steve suggested
That was the best part about being best friends with 'King Steve'. He was still just as much of a dork as he was when Spencer and he had first met. It felt like yesterday, but it was actually in 3rd grade when Spencer met Steve.
It was a rainy day, so they were having indoor recess. Spencer was sitting in the corner of Mrs.Pokorney's classroom. In her little book-nook, Spencer was cuddled up with a blanket and reading. That's when a light knock on the bookshelf tore his attention away from his book, Spencer looked up and saw a smiling face. The boy had raggedy brown hair, and was wearing an Alfred Hitchcock shirt. He introduced himself as Steve Harrington, then spoke non-stop for the rest of recess about the book Spencer was reading, Spencer listened happily, oohing and ahhing at all of Steve's knowledge. That's the way it was for the rest of third grade, Spencer listened to anything and everything Steve had to say. Over the summer before 4th grade, Steve and Spencer spent much more time together with sleepovers and playing at the park. That last day of summer is when they declared that they were best friends. That nothing would ever separate them, that there would be no secrets. And they made their secret handshake to solidify their friendship.
Spencer smiled at Steve, " Yeah, got any ideas?"
Steve smiled enormously, " Absolutely! How about Cujo?"
A laugh wracked Spencer's body, "Cujo is absolutely fine with me!"
Spencer's body tensed when he felt someone's hand come in contact with his shoulder. But when he heard who it was he relaxed totally. Kimberly Stewart was one of Spencer's favorite people in the whole world. She was bubbly, kind, funny, and always listened to Spencer. And he did his best to do the same for her.
Kimberly wrapped her arms around Spencer's shoulders, tightly hugging him. He smiled and melted into the embrace.
"Morning, Steve! Hi, Spence!" She giggled
"Hey, Kimberly!" Steve greeted, a bright smile on his face
Spencer leaned forward, picking Kimberly up onto his back. She squealed happily as Spencer spun around, her legs lightly kicking. Steve had to take a step back to avoid getting hit, but he laughed just the same.
Spencer finally set her down, and turned to give her a proper hug. She melted in his arms.
"What are you guys doing tonight?" Kimberly asked, " Keith finally gave me a night off work, so I was thinking we could hang out?"
Steve smiled, "We're watching Cujo at my house, wanna join us?"
"She hates horr-" Spencer tried to interject
"I'd love to!" Kimberly cut him off
Spencer was dead confused. Kimberly had always hated horror movies, she could never sleep after watching one. And if she did fall asleep she always had awful nightmares. But when he looked between Kimberly and Steve, he couldn't help but revel in their happiness. Who cared if Kimberly had nightmares or couldn't sleep, she got to hang out with Steve and Spencer. That's all she cared about, so that's all that Spencer cared about.
"Perfect! Meet at my house at 6?" Steve asked
Kimberly replied, "Sounds like a plan!"
Spencer nodded, he heard as the one minute bell rang. He waved to Steve and Kimberly as he sped to his math class. He rushed in with no time to spare and hurriedly took a seat at his desk. As his butt hit the hard, wooden seat the bell rang. Mr.Edwards shut the door and spared no time starting the lesson. Pythagorean theorem was an easy enough concept for Spencer, so he hardly paid attention.
He felt something hit his ankle. He looked down and saw a converse clad foot nudging him. His eyes traveled up and landed on Whitney McBry, someone he didn't particularly talk to but had worked on a class project or two with. She had a grin on her face.
"Can you help me with the notes?" She whispered, her face relaxing
Spencer smiled lightly, " Of course, meet at my house after school?"
She nodded and turned back to the chalkboard. Spencer furiously wrote down notes, this was a rare occasion that Whitney would talk to him. Of course she was asking for help, so he didn't look too deep into it. But it felt nice, knowing Whitney felt comfortable enough to ask for his help.
By the time the bell rang, Spencer had three pages worth of notes. When the bell did ring, he grabbed his bag and hurried to his next class. English with Mrs.Stewart, Kimberly's mom. He entered the classroom, and Mrs.Stewart smiled.
"Good morning, Spencer!" She greeted
"G'morning, Mrs.Stewart!" He replied, " I checked out that book you recommended from the library!"
"Ooh, which one?"
" The Queen's Gambit! It's really good so far!"
She smiled then waved him to his seat as other students started to come in. He sat down and pulled out The Queen's Gambit, continuing to read. The bell rang and he listened intently to Kimberly's mom explain the theme of their current class book. As she was teaching the door opened, there stood Chief Jim Hopper.
"Can we speak to Spencer Donovan, please?" Hopper asked
Mrs.Stewart motioned for Spencer to follow Hopper. He grabbed his things and headed to the door. Countless pairs of eyes burning into his back as he went. When he got to the hallway, Hopper placed a gentle hand on Spencer's back, leading him to an empty office in the library. Spencer sat down in one of the chairs that had its back to the door. Hopper sat across from him and pressed record on the voice recorder in between them.
"For legal purposes," Hop said nonchalantly, "How do you know Will Byers?"
Spencer gulped, "He's friends with my brother. I give him rides home sometimes."
Hopper nodded and wrote it down. Then looked back at Spencer and wrote something else on the legal pad.
"When was the last time you saw Will Byers?" Hop continued
"Uhm, last night?" Spencer replied, " I was driving to pick up Asher from the arcade, and I saw Will, Lucas, and Dustin biking home. It was almost dark so I offered them rides home."
"And?"
"And they all said no. Dustin was almost home, Lucas didn't mind biking, and Will didn't give me a reason."
Hopper nodded and wrote everything that was just said down. He kept looking between Spencer and the legal pad.
Hopper sighed and set down his pen, "Will went missing last night."
Spencer choked on the air, " What ?"
"He went missing. And Jonathan Byers said you called this morning to make sure he had gotten home alright. Shortly after, they found Will was gone." Hopper said, "Now, tell me, Spencer, what's a 16 year old kid doing worrying about a kid that's not his brother?"
"I had a dream," Spencer blurted, "I had a dream that Will was in trouble. He was yelling for Jonathan and his mom. I got scared that something happened to him, so I called Jonathan and he told me Will was fine."
Hopper nodded and scribbled something down.
"Right." He said shortly, "You're off the hook for now, Spence. Grab your things. I'm sending you home for the day."
Spencer nodded and grabbed his bag. Shuffling out of the cramped office, it had become suffocating every second he was in there. Will was missing and he was a suspect. Hopper walked Spencer to the front office where Asher was sitting, face tear-stained. Spencer immediately went to him and checked him over.
"C'mon, buddy, let's go home." Spencer cooed softly, wrapping his arm around Asher and walking him to the car
When they got in, Asher completely broke down. Sobs wracked his small body. And Spencer couldn't keep it in anymore, he let out a cry of despair. Asher wrapped his arms around Spencer as Spencer stroked his hair. Both boys were crying openly, completely afraid of what may have happened to their friend.
When Spencer finally gained enough composure to get them home he sped. As he pulled into the drive he threw his car into park. Leaving his bag in the car, he grabbed Asher and carried him like a koala into the house. He set the small boy on their couch, placing a hand-knit blanket over him. He went to the kitchen and made popcorn. Once he'd brought it to Asher, he started on the soup Spence always made to cheer his brother up.
Asher placed the Journey vinyl on the record player and sat back down. Spencer sat next to Asher with a bowl of soup for him. He gratefully accepted it. Both boys sat dully on the couch, staring forward as "Faithfully" played.
Highway run
Into the midnight sun
Wheels go round and round
You're on my mind
Restless hearts
Sleep alone tonight
Sendin' all my love
Along the wire
Spencer looked at Asher, reaching his hand out. Asher took it.
They say that the road
Ain't no place to start a family
Right down the line
It's been you and me
And lovin' a music man
Ain't always what it's supposed to be
"We'll find him. I promise."
Oh girl you stand by me
"I know."
I'm forever yours,
"I promise you, I won't stop until he's home."
Faithfully
Both boys fell asleep like that. Hand in hand. Journey playing in the background.
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