Mike couldn't shrug off the feeling. He kept seeing the symbol. He didn't tell Will or the rest of the party because Will was probably right. He's just paranoid after the last few years. The new people are normal, Mike thought.

Friday night finally came. Mike called Nancy, who was out of state for college, to help him plan his outfit. They ended up settling on blue flannel, jeans, and sneakers. It was nice, but it was casual.

Mike walked downstairs. El had talked Connor into giving everyone a ride. Holly was sat at the dining room table. "Hey, Mom," Holly said, eating spaghetti. "We're doing a heritage project in school. What country did our ancestors come from?"

"I don't know," Karen said.

Karen didn't tell many people, but she was adopted. The story she told her kids she was left in the orphanage as a baby. She was quickly adopted, and couldn't remember her time in the orphanage. "I'll ask Dad," Holly responded.

"I'm heading out," Mike called.

"Remember to be home before ten," Karen reminded.

"I will," Mike promised.

"My little boy," Karen said. She cupped his face into her hands. "Going to his first high school party."

"And probably last," Mike responded.

Someone outside honked their horn. "That's my ride," Mike said.

"I love you," Karen said.

"I love you too," Mike responded. "See you later."

Andrew lived in a neighborhood Mike wasn't familiar with. It was near the edge of the town. It was where most of the founding families lived. The neighborhood was mostly made up of mini-mansions.

There were many cars in front of Andrew's house. "You said it was going to be small," Will said.

"It is small," Lucas argued. "For one of Andrew's parties."

Connor parked in the first parking spot he could find. The group climbed out of the car. The backyard was filled with their classmates. "Lucas," a boy, who Mike assumed was Andrew, called. He was holding a red solo couple. "I'm glad you could make it."

"Thanks," Lucas responded. "You remember my girlfriend, Max."

"MadMax," Andrew cheered. Lucas went through and introduced the rest of his friends. Mike just stood there awkwardly. Some song Mike didn't recognize was blasting. Most people were just standing around and talking.

"Can I get you guys something to drink?" Andrew asked.

"I'll take my regular," Lucas said. Mike had no idea what Lucas's regular drink was. However, Andrew knew exactly what Lucas meant. So, he went straight to a nearby cooler.

Lucas turned to face his friends. "Make yourselves comfortable," Lucas suggested.

Mike found himself leaning against a tree. Mike couldn't find Will. Max and El were off with their boyfriends. Dustin was talking to someone. Dustin was a lot more sociable than Mike. So, Mike just sipped his red solo cup that was filled with Coke.

"Hey," Will said. "I finally found you."

"There are so many people here," Mike said. At least ten more people came since the party arrived.

"Yeah," Will agreed. "Are you having a good time?"

"Not really," Mike confessed. "Why did we agree to come?"

Mike knew why he agreed to come. He wanted to get his mind off his maybe stalker. "I just want a normal night," Will confessed. Me too. "Do you want to step away for a moment?"

"Gladly," Mike said. Connor's car was quite the walk away from the backyard. It was near the end of the line of cars. The area was mostly bathed in darkness. The night sky didn't have a cloud in it, and it was a full moon.

Mike leaned against Connor's car. Immediately, Will pressed his lips onto Mike's. Mike quickly returned the gesture. It was a short, yet passionate, kiss. The two boys took a deep breath of air when they broke. "I've been wanting to do that all night," Will said.

"Me too," Mike responded.

Will leaned beside Mike. "You look amazing in flannel," Will said.

"You look amazing in anything," Mike said. Will blushed hard.

"Do you want something to drink?" Will asked.

"Yeah," Mike said. "I'm running low on Coke."

"I'll be right back," Will promised. He took Mike's cup before going back to the party. Mike smiled because he loved his boyfriend. He couldn't believe how lucky he was to fall in love with his best friend.

Mike was too distracted to notice the van.

Will started to walk back to the car, holding two cups. When the car came into view, Will nearly dropped his drinks. He saw two people in dark clothes. One person was dragging Mike. That person had Mike in a chokehold.

"Hey," Will screamed. Will rushed over to them. The one not holding Mike turned around. Will saw something in the guy's hand. Before Will could do anything, the man sprayed pepper spray in Will's eyes. Will took a few steps back, eventually tripping and falling on his back.

"Do we need to take him too?" one of them asked.

"No," the other one said. "Leave him."

Will heard muffled screams. Will tried to get on his feet, but his vision was too blurry. He heard a car speeding off.