There was light conversation throughout the car but Mike didn't bother listening. Joyce had asked the boys how school was going and if they were getting any trouble at school about everything that happened, which surprisingly they weren't. No one bothered them at all. Because of her.

He couldn't help but feel miserable. He lost her but not the memory of her. Everything made him think of her. It was pathetic really. He stared out of the window, watching the never-ending trees pass by. A yellow flash caught his eye in the foliage, but it disappeared in an instant.

It was soon only grass surrounding a large parking lot, the trees looming eerily on the horizon. Joyce parked in one of the spots with the sign "VISITOR/PATIENT PARKING." Mike hated the thought of Will being a patient. He also hated just how long he had to stay in the hospital for this.

Five whole days. He'd been back for five whole days and Mike barely saw him all that time. He wasn't even angry anymore. He just wanted his best friend back. The thought nearly brought him to tears.

The harsh November air actually managed to steal a few tears from Mike's eyes. The four of them walked briskly towards the hospital's entrance, shivering at the rush of warm air beyond the glass doors.

But the lobby disappeared. Mike couldn't see the cushy chairs or the front desk or the weird pattern on the carpet. It was the forest. The same clearing he first saw her. The flash of yellow came directly in front of him this time, but changed so quickly.

It was the dress. And the blue flannel he'd given her. It was her, looking as lovely as she did in the cafeteria when he kissed her. Her eyes were curious, as if not really believing he was there. Then she smiled.

"Mike."

All the air in his lungs was knocked out of him.

A slightly pudgy hand waved an inch in front of his face suddenly. He was in the hospital lobby, Mrs. Byers, Lucas, and Dustin examining him closely.

"You good, man?" Lucas asked softly.

"Yeah... yeah, I'm good. Can we get Will now?" Mike walked around them to the elevators.

Will felt a sudden rush of blood come to his cheeks. His friends were the surprise. He knew it with a very strange certainty. Like he could feel them coming across the hall to his room.

A nervous excitement flooded him and he stood up suddenly, startling his brother.

"Will?," Jonathan croaked, then cleared his throat. "Are you...?" His voice trailed off when he realized Will was now checking his reflection in the window, smoothing out his clothes and hair. "What are you doing?"

"Huh?," he finally looked at his brother, his face becoming a darker shade of crimson. "I-is it such a crime to not wanna look disheveled?"

"It's just... never mind."

"What?," Will sounded almost vulnerable.

"Well... you wouldn't be seeing anyone besides me and Mom... unless you think she's bringing someone with to pick you up... then who do you not 'wanna look disheveled' in front of?"

"Mike." It popped out before he had a moment to think. "A-and Lucas, and Dustin. I just... want everything to be back to normal. I don't want them to think I'm messed up or whatever."

Jonathan pondered this quietly, then said gently, "If they're your friends, you don't need to care what you look like. They'll know if you're okay."

Will sat back down on his bed again at that, only to snap his head at the door. Before his mother even knocked, his eyes locked onto Mike. Butterflies fluttered through his entire body, making his toes curl. He hopped off the bed and nearly tackled his best friend. They held each other like that for a moment. Will felt like flying, but then he remembered about his other two besties. He forced himself to let go of Mike and hugged Lucas and Dustin. It only lasted a second, but the relief was just as equal.

"I'm so glad to see you guys," he beamed.

"Why do you look tho fancy?" Dustin smiled and looked his friend up and down.

"Yeah, got a date tonight?," Lucas winked dramatically.

"Yeah, with your mom," Will had been waiting to use that for about two months now. Lucas's expression was priceless and Dustin's laughter echoed out into the hallway. Mike was stunned.

"Oh my God, Will. Where'd you learn that?" Mike asked him quietly.

"I heard an eighth grader say it at the beginning of school. I had to wait until the perfect moment."

He felt a large hand clap him on the shoulder, "I'm very proud of you, Will." Jonathan had a genuine smile.

"Well, I still consider that rude, and you should apologize, Mister," his mom said with a stern expression.

"It's okay. I'm more impressed than anything," Lucas said, mirth making a twinkle in his eyes.

"Glad to have ya back, William."

"Thanks," he replied genuinely, ignoring Dustin's poke at his name.

AN: I don't know when I'll see any of you again, so just in case, happy holidays! And each one of you is appreciated and loved. Hmu whenever ya feel.