The year was 1985. School was out for the summer, and there was barely a cloud in the sky. The Fourth of July was only a handful of days away. Dustin Henderson had returned from summer camp with the bombshell of the year–; he had a girlfriend.

"Come on," Dustin called as he and his friends hiked up the grassy hill. Trees surrounded them. He and his friends carried the radio he designed to talk to her. "We can't leave Suzie waiting."

"Why can't you just write or call her like a normal person?" Max questioned with a deep breath. Her voice was laced with exhaustion.

"Her parents don't know we're dating," Dustin explained. "She lives in Utah. She's a Mormon."

Mike reached for Will's hand. If anyone knew about forbidden romance that the parents would hate, it was them. One day, we'll be free.

The group reached the top of the hill. Immediately, they dropped the parts they were carrying, sighing in relief. "I'm not even convinced she's real," Lucas said.

"She is," Dustin said defensively.

"Gotta go home," Eleven said. "Curfew."

"It's like three in the afternoon," Max complained. "Hopper probably isn't even home from work yet."

"I know, but better safe than sorry," Eleven said. "See you guys tomorrow."

Eleven ran down the hill. "Suzie, do you copy?" Dustin asked. There was nothing. "I'll get through to her," Dustin said. "Mike, could you lend a hand?"

Mike released Will's hand. Will's face immediately dropped. They rarely had chances to have physical contact. It was these moments in the woods when they could be openly together. They were away from the judgemental eyes of the citizens of Hawkins, Indiana.

Mike rushed over to Dustin. Will grabbed the back of his neck. He hadn't felt the Upside -Down in a long time. Will looked around, but he saw nothing. Eleven closed the gate, remember? There was no reason to worry.

They stayed at Dustin's house for a few more hours. Then, the group went their separate ways. It was dark out when everyone left. Mike decided to take Will home. It wasn't for any particular reason. They just wanted to spend more time together.

The two didn't ride their bicycles. They walked them, so their time would go by slower. "Do you think she's real?" Will asked. "Suzie, I mean."

"I don't think Dustin would have an entire radio built for communication to Utah if she wasn't," Mike said with a smile.

"You're right," Will said. "Hey. This summer, we should play some more Dungeons and Dragons. It's been too long."

"I would like that," Mike responded. His smile grew more. "Maybe we can even bring Max and El into our campaigns."

"I don't know if El would enjoy it," Will said with a shrug. "Max, maybe."

"Can you believe we're about to go to high school?" Mike asked. "Time goes by. It feels like yesterday that we were twelve."

"I know," Will said. "Do you think things will be better?"

"In what way?" Mike asked.

"This way," Will stated. The two of them stopped walking. He took one hand off the handlebar. Will grabbed Mike's hand. Mike blushed a deep crimson color. Most of the lights in the surrounding houses were off. The only ones with lights on were lights radiating from bedrooms.

"I wish," Mike said. "But it's wishful thinking."

Will reluctantly released Mike's hand. His hand returned to his handlebar. The two started walking again. "Do you think it's possible for things to ever get better?" Mike asked. It was torture for both of them. It was torturous to wait for the lights to turn off at the movies. Mike hated that his parents still thought he was dating Eleven to keep them from getting suspicious.

"Stranger things have happened," Will said with a shrug of his shoulders.

"I hope I get to see the day," Mike said. "No more hiding in the shadows."

"We're here," Will said with a disappointed sigh.

"Want to come over tomorrow?" Mike asked.

"Yes," Will said. "I would love to."

"I love you, Will," Mike stuttered out. This wasn't their first time saying I love you. Mike remembered the first time he told Will he loved him. It was on the swingset they became friends. It was on the last day of kindergarten. Will was crying since he thought he'd never see Mike again. At the time, they didn't know just how close their houses were. Mike remembered what he told Will word for word. "I will find you. You can live on Mars and I'll show up to play. I love you, Will. You are my best friend."

That wasn't the last I love you, either. However, this time was different. This I love you was their first romantic one. He's not going to say it back. Everything is going to be ruined. One of you is going to have to leave the party.

"I love you too," Will responded. He smiled softly at his boyfriend.

"You don't know how long I've waited to say that," Mike said with a small smile. Will kissed Mike on the lips. Mike kissed back quickly. The Byers were still up, but Jonathan and Joyce knew about them.

The two pulled away at the same time. "I'll see you tomorrow," Mike said.

"I'll see you then," Will whispered. Mike mounted his bicycle. Mike gave Will one more smile before driving off. Will silently entered his house.

Mike drove his bicycle with the biggest grin on his face. He was humming softly. I love Will. He's in love with me. Mike was on cloud nine. There was nothing that could bring his mood down.

Mike hit something. He couldn't see what it was. He fell off his bike, landing on his side. "Ow," Mike muttered. He didn't have any severe injuries. At worst, he had a few scrapes and bruises.

Mike felt something grab his left ankle. He was dragged against the rough, forest ground. Mike kicked his feet out, trying to get whatever it was to let go. However, whatever it was wouldn't budge. Mike prepared himself for what he assumed would be a wild animal.

However, where he ended up was worse. The area around Mike now had a blue tint. It was lightly snowing, and the sky was red. "Oh, crap," Mike shouted. The Upside-Down. He was now in The Upside-Down.

How? El closed the gate. Mike slowly stood up. I need to get out of here. How?

Before Mike could make a move, he was flung into a nearby tree. He was frozen against it. There was lightning nearby, illuminating the night sky. Above him, the Mind Flayer was menacingly staring down.

Mike opened his mouth to scream. However, before he could make a noise, a black mist entered his mouth. Mike was helpless to do anything as his body was taken over. The spy's boyfriend was now claimed.

Actions