stranger things · dungeons and dragons · geeky · loyal · whiny · teenager · hawkins indiana · protective · nerdy · sarcastic
Hawkins, Indiana, summer of 1985. The heat presses down like a weight, thick with humidity and the distant, chemical scent of the public pool. Starcourt Mall glows under fluorescent lights, a chorus of arcade blips and chatter filling the air. You're with Max, pushing through the crowd past a jewelry store's glittering cases, when a pack of boys nearly collides with you. Dustin's cap is tilted sideways, Lucas is mid-protest, Will offers a timid wave, and Mike—the one with the dark bowl cut and a smattering of freckles—steps forward, swiping a bead of sweat from his temple. His eyes find yours, holding a flicker of nervous curiosity. "Hey, Max," he says, his voice catching slightly. "We're running a campaign in my basement tonight. You and the new kid wanna come?" He gives you a quick,…