As Spencer drove down the street, he spotted some of Asher's friends on their bikes. He sped up a bit and pulled up beside them.
"Hey, boys!" He greeted
They all looked at him, startled. But, when they realized who it was their faces broke into smiles. Will's the brightest of all.
"Hey, Spence!" Will greeted
"You guys need a lift home?" Spencer asked
Dustin shook his head, "Nah, I'm almost there."
Lucas shrugged, "I'm good with biking."
Spencer shook his head with a laugh.
"Stubborn assholes." He teased, "Will?"
Will shook his head as well, "No, I'm okay! Thanks for the offer, Spencer!"
Spencer smiled, "Okay, well I've got to get Asher from the arcade. Give me a call if you guys need anything!"
The boys nodded in agreement and Spencer waved before driving off. As he drove, he turned up his radio. He was lucky that one of his favorites was playing, "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson. It was one of those songs he would never get tired of. He had it on vinyl and cassette.
He turned down the volume as he pulled up to the arcade. Asher saw his brother and ran to the car, a wide smile on his face as he plopped into the front seat. Spencer reached over and tousled his hair.
"How was your date, Ash?" Spencer asked
Asher blushed, "It wasn't a date!"
Spencer smirked, "Yeah okay, well did you have a good time?"
He nodded brusquely, "I got a new high-score on Frogger. Angela was really impressed."
Spencer smiled as he pulled out of the parking lot. He turned the volume back up, and Total Eclipse of the Heart was on. He smiled at Asher who's face dropped.
"Spence, no. Please, no." Asher pleaded
" Turn around! Every now and then I get a little bit lonely and you're never coming 'round! " Spencer sang horribly, his voice cracking tremendously, " Turn around! Every now and then I get a little bit tired of listening to the sound of my tears!"
" Spencer! " Asher pleaded, his face growing redder
Spencer reached over and grabbed Asher's hand, belting it out.
" Turn around bright eyes! Every now and then I fall apart! "
Asher rolled his eyes before joining in, " Turn around bright eyes! "
Spencer's eyes lit up, " Every now and then I fall apart! "
Spencer jerked the car to the left into the driveway. He threw it into park, and Asher hopped out. Spencer took his key out of the ignition, and followed Asher into the house. Their parents had gone to bed when Spencer left to get Asher, so the lights were off. The house was eerily quiet as the boys treaded up the stairs. Spencer got to his door before Asher got to his. Spencer held out his fist to Asher, who bumped it.
"G'night, Ashy." Spencer yawned out
"Goodnight, Spence" He replied, walking into his room and shutting the door
Spencer went into his own room. It was dimly lit with the Stormtrooper lamp he had on his nightstand. He walked droopily to his dresser, the fatigue of the day catching up with him. He pulled on a soft pair of pajama pants, and stripped himself of his shirt before flopping onto his bed. Spencer rolled onto his side and pulled a pillow between his arm and his head. Sleep captivating him.
Spencer's dreams were less than pleasant. The air was filled with dust thick enough to choke on. And the red hue didn't make this place any more hospitable. Spencer took a step forward and heard a bone-chilling shriek. It was inhuman, and made the teenager stop in his tracks fear coursing through his body. That's when he heard it. A yell, a scream from an all too familiar voice.
"Jonathan! Mom!" Will's voice was clear as a bell, ripping through Spencer's mind
It felt like the wind was whirling around Spencer as he fought to get to the young boy. His feet sinking into the ground, tripping him and making him fall to his knees.
"Will?" Spencer screamed over the wind, "Will!"
Spencer was jolted from his sleep. Panic wracking his body, sweat dripping from his forehead. He immediately slipped off his bed. He walked as calmly as he could to Asher's room, knocking before letting himself in. Asher was dead asleep on his bed, only in boxers and no shirt.
"Asher?" He asked as he shook the boy awake
Asher groaned, "What?"
"Have you talked to Will?"
"No," Asher yawned, "I haven't talked to anyone since I got home."
Spencer's shoulders slumped, "Oh. Okay. Get up and get ready."
The older boy made his way out of the room and down the stairs. His mom was standing near their toaster, two slices of bread neatly tucked inside. His dad was at the table, sipping coffee and doing the daily crossword. Spencer went to the wall phone and dialed the Byers. It rang three times before it was answered.
"Hello?" said the gruff voice of Jonathan Byers
"Hey, Jonathan, it's Spencer. Did Will get home alright last night?" Spencer asked, crossing his fingers
"Yeah, why?" Jonathan asked suspiciously
"I saw him biking home last night when I went to get Asher, I was just worried about him." Spencer lied, "I've got to go, but I'll see you in English!"
He hung up before Jonathan could reply, a sigh of relief leaving his lips as he sat next to his dad at the table. Asher shuffled down the stairs, fully dressed.
"Morning, buddy." Spencer greeted as he got up to go get dressed himself
"Mornin'." Asher replied
Spencer sped up the stairs and to his room. Throwing on the first pair of jeans and tshirt he could find. When he was dressed he didn't even worry about his hair, opting to throw on an old summer camp baseball hat. Once he'd done that he headed back downstairs.
When he reentered the kitchen, he stole a sip of coffee from his dad who playfully swatted his hand away. His mom held out a piece of toast for him, already buttered with cinnamon and sugar on top. He smiled, pecking her cheek.
"You're the best, momma." Spencer complimented
She chuckled, "You say that everyday. Now, go on and get! You'll be late!"
Spencer nodded hurrying toward the door, he grabbed his keys out of the dish and his backpack off the hook. When he got to his car, Asher was already leaning up on it. Spencer unlocked the car and got in, starting it up. Asher was quick to hop in, because Spencer was quick to pull out of their driveway and speed toward the school.
He left the radio off this morning, which struck Asher as weird. Spencer never drove without music.
"Hey, what's going on with you?" Asher asked
Spencer jumped a bit, "What? What do you mean?"
"You're acting weird this morning. What's up with that?"
"I just…. had a bad dream last night."
Asher shook his head, "You never let stuff like that bother you. What was it about?"
Spencer's grip on the wheel tightened. He never looked at Asher.
"I was in this really dark place, and I heard Will screaming for his mom and Jonathan. But, when I tried to get to him, I fell. And that's when I woke up." Spencer explained, "It just felt so real, and I was scared. Really scared. And just… I don't know."
Asher reached over and set a hand on Spencer's arm. A small gesture of comfort to his panicky older brother.
"Will is fine, I promise you." Asher guaranteed
Spencer nodded, " I know, I know. It's all in my head."