Sunshine Through the Clouds

Will--Okay, This is Nice

Texas was like a foreign land after spending so long away. Everything, from the way the trees looked to how fast people went on the highways to the food--It was all so different. Spending so long in New York had diminished Will's accent. After all, he didn't feel like scaring anybody. Here, however, he sounded like he was in a cheesy movie.

Many things were different from when he was last in Austin, too. For example, when he opened the door to his old bedroom, he saw nothing out of the ordinary. He set his suitcase down and flopped on the bed to stare out the window. There, he saw it. On his desk below the windosill, he had a cup filled with pencils and pens and a paintbrush or two. Now, it had a new addition: A small rainbow flag stuck in the middle.

Will got up and ran his hand over it. He remembered a bit, in a letter he'd sent right before the Battle of Manhattan, that he'd mentioned maybe not being straight. It was something along the lines of "P.S. I think girls are cute, but guys are cool, too." He'd put it really small at the bottom, partially because he was running out of room and partially because he wasn't sure if he wanted her to read it. He remembered being nervous, but eventually just getting over it. If the next day was his last, why not make sure his mom knew the real him? In the next letter he got, she didn't write anything out of the ordinary. All she mentioned in her little ps at the bottom was "I love you no matter what." The whole time he was gone, neither of them mentioned it again. Part of Will was worried, and part was scared.

It was clear he had no reason for feeling either way.

"Any lucky lads?" He turned around to see his mother propped up against the doorframe, "Or ladies? Others?" Before she could say any more, Will cut her off with a hug.

"Not right now."

"Aw, sweetie," She held him out at arm's length, "Anybody you're lookin' at?" Will blushed.

"Maybe," He looked down.

"Well there better be somebody you can bring home soon. Do you know how much trouble that flag was? Jeez, the looks I got buyin' that thing."

"Thank you," He said, hugging her once again.

"Anything for you, dear."

After his Iris message with Kayla and Nico that first morning, Will bolted out of his room for breakfast. His mouth watered when he saw what was spread out on the table. It was basic as far as breakfast goes, but he was ready to enjoy it all the same. Bacon, homemade biscuits, grits, and cornbread were laid out. His stepdad, Adam, was setting the table. James, his stepbrother, was bouncing around with Kamryn, his half-sister, right on his heels. Tristan, his stepbrother, was leaning up against the counter, not really talking but not really distant.

"Will!" Kamryn squealed, "Did you know I got a bow? A real one? A-and I helped make the cornbread, no sugar because 'that's the way your brother likes it,'" She stuck out her tongue, "And, oh gosh, you've gotta show me how to shoot!" Without another word, Will ran over and picked her up.

"I've got enough time to teach 'ya," He put her down and nodded a hello to Adam, then to Tristan.

"So, uh," Adam cleared his throat, "How's New York?" Will grinned. His mom had told Adam that he was in a 'boarding school for medical students.'

"It's great!"

"Alright, y'all," Naomi said, ruffling Kamryn's hair, "Let's eat."

After breakfast was finished and dishes were cleaned, Naomi was already getting her shoes on.

"Where're we going?" Will asked.

"To see your nanny, of course!"

"But she's...sick?" Naomi waved her hand.