S. 3

"HE OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T want me. He wasn't trying to get custody, not at all," Will continued.

A high pitched ringing started in Mike's ears, getting louder by the minute so that it was hard to hear what Will was saying. It was even more difficult due to the fact that Will's voice was barley more than a whisper.

"But the judge thought it would be better for me not to change schools and since my mother suddenly didn't have the means to give me 'the childhood I deserved'-" Tears were forming in the corners of Will's eyes- "He was forced to take me. I haven't seen my mom or Jonathan in over a year... he comes home drunk everyday and- and-" Mike could see Will was trying hard to contain his tears. He shivered slightly. 

Mike knew Lonnie used to beat Will, and even without Will admitting it he knew that it was still happening.  All the confirmation he needed was in Will's broken gaze.

Will took another deep breath before continuing. 

"It's bad enough when it's a few hours in the evening, but weekends... they're impossible. Sometimes I- I- just spend them in the school- It's easier-" Will couldn't contain himself any longer, and he burst into tears. 

He put his head between his knees, and his whole body shook with the tears.

Mike was stunned. 

Lonnie was back? and for so long??  

another realization hit him, like a strong slap across the face.

That night, the night three years ago. Will in the walkie talkie. His voice sounding so much like it had now....

He could've helped Will. That night, if he had just answered. His parents could've helped Will's mom, they could've even taken Will in. 

If he hadn't been such a cowardly asshole he could've spared his friend so much pain and anguish.  If only he had acted like a decent human being, Will wouldn't be in this state.

He looked at the broken boy's trembling body, and wanted to cry too. Instead, before he could stop himself, he wrapped his arms around Will. 

Will looked up at him, his hazel eyes glittering with tears. Mike was suddenly scared he's pull away from the hug, but Will put his head on Mike's arm.

And Mike didn't understand why his stomach burst into flames the moment he did.

                                                                               ✴ ⁕ ✴ ⁕ ✴

They stayed like that for a  really long time. By the time Mike glanced up to the large clock on the wall behind the teacher's desk, it was 1:12 pm.

 He was scared to move a muscle, he didn't want anything to break it up. He let Will cry, all the while trying to think if he was right. Was that night with the unanswered call the fateful night for Will? It was hard to think with Will so close to him. He smelled like smoke and vanilla at the same time.

Mike was weirdly comfortable, but also extremely uncomfortable at the same time. After a while, though, he started getting cold again. He could feel Will's skin was cold too.

"Thanks," Will said after a few more minutes. His head lifted from Mike's hands, and he manged a weak smile through his wet face.

"I'm sorry I sprung this on you-" Will started, but Mike decided he had to know if he was right. He needed to know if he could've helped Will.

"Will, the night you called me... right before you didn't come to school...  was it about- it?" Mike asked.

for a moment Will furrowed his brow, trying to remember what Mike was talking about. When he finally did, his face turned even redder. Mike didn't even need the nod that followed to know that he had been right.

"fuck. Will, I'm really really sorry. I should've answered, I should've been there, I can't believe you went through this alone-" Mike felt an embarrassing lump in his throat. How could Will forgive him now? he would've never forgiven himself.... his spirit sank thinking Will may never want to talk to him again.

"Mike, it's okay! there was no way for you to know," Will said."It doesn't matter. I was a shitty excuse of a friend, I should've answered..."  

"It's fine. I'm not mad, I was never mad! I know you have new friends. I understand. Don't beat yourself up," Will put his hand on Mike's shoulder, and though his smile was genuine Mike could see the pain in his hazel eyes.

How was Will comforting him? Will really was the kindest, sweetest, most understanding person in the world. Mike didn't understand how he could've lived so long without him. Why was Will's life so miserable, what did he do to deserve such treatment from everybody?

Mike felt his vision growing a little misty. He tried very hard to blink away the tears. He wouldn't cry. It wasn't his place to cry.

Mike decided the best thing he could do for Will was figuring out what to do. Sitting there and weeping wouldn't make anything better.

He glared ahead, and the perfect idea was waiting there by the teacher's desk.

"Come on," He said. He snuffled, and quickly wiped the tears from his eyes. Then, he jumped to his feet.

"What?" Will was confused, staring at him through his own tears. Mike felt his heart break a little with the sight of Will's sad face.

Mike smiled, and ran to the front of the class.

"We have an empty school, and two roller chairs." He said, gesturing at the two chairs by the teacher's desk.Will's eyes were still confused, but Mike smiled even wider. If this won't cheer Will up, nothing will. He ran to Will again, holding his hand to help him up.

"We're having a roller-chair derby."

[AUTHOR SAYS]Sorry I was a little late posting, had a crazy day:)