Joyce studies the drawings around her house. Her home never could seem to look "normal". There was always something different everywhere. Christmas lights. Drawings.

She didn't mind any of this, so long as it meant it helped her son.

"Could Frankie stay the night?" Will asks, stepping into the living room, and directing his eyes to his mother.

She can't help but be taken aback by his request, and she almost doesn't know how to respond. However, her mind quickly drifts to all the terrible outcomes that could lead up to, and she immediately shakes her head.

"Honey, you know that wouldn't be appropriate," Joyce responds softly.

"Please, mom, I swear nothing bad will happen," Will promises, desperately not wanting to let go of Frankie's hand any time soon. "I-I don't know how to explain this, but...I feel better when she's here."

"I'll be here too, Mrs. Byers," Mike adds. "I'll make sure nothing happens."

Joyce looks between the two boys, then looks behind them at Frankie. She's sat on Will's bed looking through one of his comics.

"I suppose she could stay," Joyce sighs. "Who takes care of her? I'll have to call them to make sure it's alright."

"Thank you!" Will cheers, running back into his room without even answering her question.

"Steve Harrington," Mike answers. "He takes care of her."

"I thought he just babysat her?" She confusedly questions.

"Nope. He's practically her brother, but you should probably let her talk it out with him. He's really protective of her...." Mike sighs. "He'll only let her stay if he knows she's 100% okay."

"Okay," Joyce nods, "you must be good friends with her to know all this. So I need to ask you...is she a good person, Mike? I know 011 came from the same lab, but that doesn't necessarily mean that their intent is the same. I don't want Will to get hurt over something I could've prevented."

Mike smiles a little.

"Actually, I basically hated her up until a few days ago. Steve being protective is known to anyone who's seen the two together," Mike laughs. "And she's nice. Really, she just wants to help."

Joyce smiles and nods.

"Okay, well, I'll talk Steve? Or should she?"

Mike glances behind his shoulder at the two teens. Will is smiling— tiredly, but still. Frankie is pointing at something in the comic enthusiastically, and Will is looking at her with admiration that Mike's familiar with.

"Actually, now that I think about it...you should talk to Steve," he nods.

"Alright," she smiles.

With that, she walks to the kitchen, and Mike walks into the room with Frankie and Will.

Up until now, he had never understood why he disliked Frankie so much. Sure, he was afraid that she might replace 011— but there was more to it than that. He gets it now.

He wasn't afraid that she'd replace 011, he was afraid she'd replace him.

This entire time he was afraid that Will wouldn't be his best friend anymore, but now, he isn't worried.

Now he knows that you can have more than one best friend.