Friends come and go as the years go by. But there are some that are engrained into our hearts…the ones that we loved the most. Even after they have left, we still love them. They are the best people because you had many good memories. With mine it wasn't only the good memories.….It was the good, the bad, and the sad. We went through things together, at a very young age. It brought trauma and mental health issues. But altogether we were family because we could understand. To go to another person so they could try to grasp some understanding, was impossible. They would think we were crazy and out of our minds. But if any of us needed support we were always there. "A party member is in need of assistance" we would say. But now we're no longer close. We all split up. What's crazy is that it started to happen in our freshman year of high school. Literally a few months after everything happened. I moved away with my family. Guess that was the biggest change. I was only gone for four months. But when we came back everyone came closer.
Then by the end of our freshman year, we were all interested in different things. El tried out for cheer and made it. I saw her try out. She was pretty good. Lucas tried out for basketball and two other sports, and he made them. Dustin was to be vice president of the sophomore class. Mike and Max stuck together. Yeah. Who would of thought. The two who hated each other the most would end up staying friends. They were the most damaged and the ones I hang out with most. I mean really damaged. Max has always lived in bad household, but when her step-brother died, she just gave up. Not long after we all went our separate ways, Mike started to fight more with his father. The Wheelers lost their elegant touch of perfect. drank a lot now. So did , but not as the Mr. Mike's father would start arguments with his mother. Mike would step in and defend her. Mike defended her because she had practically raised two out of three children by herself. Now she didn't, but she did. She would make dinner and make sure Holly was okay. She started to do that, or that is what Mike said.
Then there is me. William Byers. Who even William Byers? I don't even know to be honest. All of those people were my friends…my family…for the longest time. Now I am practically alone. I have tried maintaining friendships with all of them. I am now 17 and going into my junior year of high school. What happened with all of the relationships. The couples. Well Mike and El went longer than Max and Lucas, I can say that for sure. Mike and El didn't break up. I am saying this because the rumors aren't true. "Oh they broke up blah blah blah". No they drifted away. With El's cheer practice and keeping up with her classes, it was a natural thing. They stayed together for sophomore year, but by the end of the school year, they were practically strangers in the hallway.
With Lucas and Max, it's a different story. Lucas strait up dumped Max. Like at the beginning of our sophomore year. El was angry with him for this reason. Yes, Max and El were still friends during this period in time. But like I said, by the end of that year, we were like strangers to each other. Lucas and El see each other more. Sport events and all that jazz. I have tried multiple times to talk to Lucas, but he has ignored me. So I kind of just gave up on maintaining a friendship with him. Nine years of friendship. Gone. Done. And El…Well she's my sister. So I go to the sport events because I have to drive her home. El has to retake her drivers test. She has failed it four times already. She was supposed to get her license last year, but she failed. All three of her tries, but she tried again this summer and failed. Her next test is next week.
Dustin and I are not as close as we used to be. But we still talk. I go see Steve and Robin, and Dustin is usually there with them. And well…I hang out with Mike and Max more. We tell each other lots of stuff. We do lots of stuff. At first I didn't know what Mike and Max did in their free time. I thought maybe sucking face and smoking. But I was only half right. The two are not together. The fucking rumors are just fucking rumors. And if you are the shithead that started them, fuck you. The two are like brother and sister. I know, I spend a lot of time with them and their friends. They look like they're dating but they aren't. But nevermind that.
When I first went to their little hideout, I wasn't sure what to expect. But some kid, a freshman named Peter, brought all different kinds of drugs. I was shocked. Then there were the oldest of the group, Maya and Jared. Then there were us, Mike, Max, and I. Then there were these sophomores who brought alcohol. I guess Mike and Max brought food. We always stop at the supermarket. The first few weeks I just spectated. But, like I always feel nowadays, I started to feel left out. So I don't smoke as much as the others, but I sometimes do. I go to parties with Mike and Max, but I don't drink a lot. Sometimes not at all. I will never ever touch drugs. That is my limit. I will never do drugs. But Mike and Max do all the above. I understand why. And no, they do all three. Smoke, drink, drugs. They balance it out. Somehow. But in the last year, I have carried both of them home multiple times. Either drunk or high. But like I said, I understand why they do it. El said to stray away from them. But they are still my friends. Along with Dustin, Lucas, and El herself. And I am not giving up on my friendships with these people. Not a single person is going to tell me to give them up. And if they do, I'll say "Go fuck yourself."