A/N: Work in progress. An AU fic featuring an OC with the ST boys, in a different, modern setting. I do not own Stranger Things, of course!

Ludwig van Beethoven – Cello Sonata No. 4.

As he sat on the dirty hardwood floor of the school gymnasium, Kai let the beautiful duet between the cello and piano fill his ears with joy. Most people wouldn't listen to orchestral music in a gym, but it just so happened that earlier in the month a teacher had pressed down on the gas pedal while in drive rather than reverse; thus, the school's orchestra room was out of commission for at least a few more weeks. The gym was partitioned into two, with Beethoven being playing in the west half, and dodgeball being played in the east. It made for an interesting combination of sounds.

By listening to the music, Kai could forget about all of his troubles. Only temporarily, though, he thought.

It had been two months since his family had moved here, but in those two months he had picked up zero friends. Sure, everyone in his classes was nice to him, but he still wanted to be part of a core group, like all of those cartoons he used to watch as a kid.

He stared at the cello player. Aaron was strikingly handsome, two years younger than Kai. He had short spiky hair and round-frame glasses. Everyone in the class knew he was filthy rich, being that his family had recently moved to the area from Germany, and bought the most expensive house in the wealthiest part of town. He was dressed perfectly in a neatly pressed suit, making him stand out. Kai's interactions with him had not been pleasant, though Kai couldn't quite glean why. Aaron just didn't seem to like him. But then again, does anyone like me?, he thought.

When the performance was finished, the conductor announced a short break while they set up for Ali's clarinet duet. Kai sighed. Every day was longer than the last, time just never seemed to speed up. His parents were always working too, trying to impress their new bosses.

HEY.

HEY.

HEY.

Kai's train of thought was snapped by the nag of an unfamiliar voice and a tap on the shoulder. He turned his head around.

Sitting behind him was a boy he recognized from his physics class – one of those nerds that always seemed to know everything, but was always so quiet about it. Kai didn't recall having ever spoken to him, nor did he know his name. The young boy had a beautiful bowl haircut.

"I'm Will," he said. "Will Byers." He extended his hand. His voice had a timid and kind tone to it.

Kai froze. He was too starstruck to say anything. He had heard rumors of the plight of 'Zombie Boy,' though he wasn't quite sure he understood it, or that those who had relayed the story to him had even done so accurately. And he certainly hadn't made the connection that the Will in that story and the kid in his physics class were one and the same.

Wow, he is…handsome, Kai thought. I want hair and a complexion like that!

Trying not to blush, he quickly responded.

I'm Kai. I'm new around these parts. It's nice to meet you. Such were his thoughts, but all he could muster was,

"Hi."

They shook hands.

"What's your name?" Will asked.

"Kai."

"Wow! Sick name dude. Sounds like a good warrior's name." He paused. "You like this music?" Will asked, indicating the cello sonata filling their ears.

"Not particularly." Kai lied for some reason.

"I don't have a preference. I just know it makes some people happy, so I like it." Will smiled.

Suddenly, another boy came around the corner. He must have been in the restroom, Kai thought.

"Hey Will the Wise, make a new friend?" The tall and skinny Mike Wheeler stood before Kai, dressed in his gym clothes. He seemed oddly muscular and frail at the same time.

"What's your name?" asked Mike before hearing Will's response.

"K-k-Kai." He stuttered, but couldn't figure out why.

"Well, Kai, it's nice to meet you. Let's chat later - you should meet us after school! Give him the deets, Will! And just like that, Mike jogged off to the other side of the gym, leaving the two boys alone again.

"That's my best friend Mike. Don't worry about him. He moves fast."

Will paused, but quickly went back to their conversation.

"You ever play D&D?"

"No."

"Do you want to learn?"

"Yes," Kai mumbled, staring down at his legs.

Will stared into Kai's eyes, searching for the source of Kai's one word answers.

"Don't be nervous. I know moving to a new place can be a traumatic experience."

Somehow, Kai could feel that Will had experienced some sort of trauma before, and it comforted him. His voice...it's so calming. Like he understands me, he thought.

Will continued. "So many new people, new places. It's overwhelming, but I want to help change that. You seem like a really cool guy. Join us in the rec room, after school. Meet me outside here, we'll go together." He smiled. Kai smiled back.

Bach's Gavotte and Air filled the room, as the two men stared into each other's eyes for a moment before looking away.

Their conversation cut short by the music, Kai thought about Will's proposition.

Can I trust these guys? They seem nice enough. He had never been to the rec room. Did it actually exist? And what's this D&D they're talking about? He had so many questions, and desired so many answers, but to him, there was one thought that stuck out:

What is this feeling? I've never felt this before…