you made me think will was okay, that he was still out there, but he wasn't. he wasn't!

you really think so?

will, come on. you can't leave it's raining

it’s not will, it can’t be

just please don't tell the others, okay? they won't understand

we were just gonna sit in my basement all day and play games for the rest of our lives?

but you make her (me) feel like she's (i’m) not a mistake at all. like she's (i’m) better for being different

you said yes. it was the best thing i've ever done

and we will, we will

this is amazing, did you paint this?

i have no idea what’s gonna happen next.

you've called maybe a couple times. it's been a year, mike. meanwhile, el has like a book of letters from you.

“that was you guys who saved me, that was you guys”

“hey, you okay?” “yeah”

“you were just swinging by yourself”

“you're like a spy now, a superspy! spying on the shadow monster. if you know what he's seeing and feeling... maybe that's how we can stop him. maybe all of this is happening for a reason”

“anyway, my point is, see how you're leading us here? you're guiding the whole party inspiring us, that... that's what you do”

“then maybe you should've reached out more i don't know! but why is this on me? why... why am i the bad guy?”

“i don't know, sometimes i feel like i'm going crazy” “me too”

“we're friends! we're friends” “well we used to be best friends!”

“i just felt so alone and so scared, but... i saw you on the swings and you were alone too”

“and i feel like maybe i was worrying too much about el, and i don't know, maybe i feel like i lost you or something. does that make sense?”

“whoa dude, that's the donation box” “i know i'll just use yours when i come back. i mean, if we still wanna play”

“will! are you okay?” “yeah, i just... i needed some air”

“we should be out there right now, we should be helping look for him”

“hey, also about uh about the last few days--” “you don't have to say anything, i... i was being a total jerk to el, i deserved it.”

“wait, this is will's fault?”

“and i mean you know, max and lucas and dustin, they're... they're great. they're great it's just... it's hawkins, it's not the same without you.”

“he was singing that weird song he loves”

“thanks by the way” “for what?” “for knocking some sense into me. i mean, i was being a total self-pitying idiot”

“i mean, what did you think, really? that we were never gonna get girlfriends? we were just gonna sit in my basement all day and play games for the rest of our lives?” “yeah. i guess i did, i really did.”

“and you said yes. you said yes. it was the best thing i've ever done.”

“that’s my friend, mike.”

“cool” “cool”

“we have to do something! will can be in danger.”

“he won't.” “how do you know?” “we won't let him.”

“do you remember the first day that we met? it was... it was the first day of kindergarten.”

“yeah?” “yeah.”

“looks like it's gonna be up to us again.” “it always is, isn't it?”

“mike, don't stop. okay? you're the heart okay? remember that, you're the heart.”

“well, i don't think you're gonna think it's gross when you fall in love.” “i’m not gonna fall in love.”

“hey well, if we're both going crazy, then we'll go crazy together right?” “yeah. crazy together.”

“oh, i didn't say it.” “you didn't have to.”

“you're destroying everything, and for what? so you can swap spit with some stupid girl?” “el's not stupid! it's not my fault you don't like girls.”

“and if she was going to lose you, i... i think she'd rather just get it over with quick, like ripping off a band-aid”

“i'm gonna get you home, okay? i'm gonna get you home. hold on.”

“it’s not will. it can’t be”

“well, what about us?” “what?” “you're mad that I didn't talk to you? seems like you made it super clear that you're not interested in anything i have to say.” “that's just not true.”

“i'm worried about will, over.”

“will is painting a lot, but he... he won't show me what he's working on. maybe it is for a girl. i think there is someone he likes, because he has been acting weird.”