dull - Byler

-5-

mike POV

that night, I actually slept. It's unusual for me to sleep two nights in a row, but the last thing I remember was laying my head down on my pillow, slightly damp from my crying, and waking up, to the sound of slight drizzle. the thunderstorm lasted overnight, just barely. it seems to rain quite a bit now, rain clouds constantly darkening the sky.

my eyes still hurt from last night, I wanted to close them forever. I should get more sleep, my body feels like its shutting down. but instead, for whatever reason, I end up outside.

the rain has gotten heavier again, feeling like hail against my back. it is extremely dark, thunderclouds blocking all stars along with the moon.

I'm walking mindlessly on the road. if anyone I knew saw me, I know they'd yell at me, about it being dangerous. but I don't care, nor is that really what's on my mind.

I just need to run.

___

I fall to the ground, exhausted. I've been running god knows how long, lightning striking above me in the sky. I know I'm not far from my house, but I can't run any longer. my heart is beating fast. my hair sticks to my forehead, dripping as rain continues to soak it.

     I know I laid there way longer than I should have, until the rain stopped again. it wasn't until the sun began shining again that I got up and walked home.

     I tracked water into the house, probably rotting the floors in the future.

     again, like always, the second I get in my room I lay down on my bed, still out of breath. My bed also gets soaked, my hair dripping onto my pillows. my room stayed silent, until I hear tapping on my window-

will POV

     after a long night of struggling to get to sleep, I was awoken to thunder. the clock read 6:24. it was pretty apparent how early it was.

     for whatever reason I've come to the conclusion I need to visit mike, see how he's doing. based on his sleep patterns, I know he'd be up. but of course, I woke up to thunder. obviously, I couldn't go out in the pouring rain. because it's almost November, being in the rain would probably freeze me to death.

      so, I waited.

     I could hear the sounds of my mom getting up for work, starting up the car and driving away. I could hear Jonathan make himself breakfast, before also taking off for work. even after he left, the smell of coffee filled the air.

     but finally, the rain stopped. I could see the sun through my curtains. happily, I hopped on my bike. it was quiet outside, all I could hear were the birds and the sound of me pedaling.

      making my way to his house, I can't stop thinking about what could happen. how concerned I was, I couldn't help but overthink. 

what if he gets mad at me? I just want to make him happy. 

     after a long right, I finally made it to his house. I wish we lived closer together, there are so many times when I had to bike to his house and was exhausted by the time I got there, or the other way around.

     I didn't wanna show up uninvited. on a usual occasion I would be welcomed. but considering I haven't been here since the start of the school year, I think it would be a bit rude, even though mike's mom always insists "you're welcome here anytime!"

     but lucky for me, mike told me the stories of the many times he had caught Steve climbing up into Nancy's room, I figured it couldn't be too hard. but looking up at mike's window, it was a big disconcerting to see. but despite that, I made it up! it took a few minutes, and he probably heard me, but maybe not. not like I was planning on surprising him, so I don't really care.

      I knocked on his window, and slowly he turned his head.

      weirdly him and his bed were...wet? I think he went out in the rain.  but other than that, I noticed how messy his room was.

mike POV

     shit, why is he here?

     part of me was happy to see him, but at the same time seeing him reminded me of how disgusting I am. 

    he stood outside of my window, looking at me. he had a concerned look on his face.

  "will, why are you here?" I said after walking up to my window and opening it, which was difficult to do.

   "I just wanted to see you.." he said something else under his breath, but I didn't want to bother him about it. my mind is a bit preoccupied, anyways, but also I didn't know what to say.

     we sat in silence for a moment, before he climbed in.

    I still didn't know what to say, so I laid back down on my bed. he sat down beside me, looking at me again.

    the window, still open, brought light into my dark room. light shined into my eyes, as well as on my face. a breeze blew into my room.

    "mike, be honest this time, are you okay? I'm concerned for you.

       I stayed silent, still not knowing what to say. will had a sad look in his eyes, which almost made me want to cry. he grabbed my hands, pulling me closer.

      "please, talk."

       I couldn't just ignore him, but at the same time I couldn't say no.

       "I'm fine will." I didn't mean to come off aggressive, but when he recoiled with a hurt look in his eyes, I realize it didn't come off how I meant

        "mike..." his voice was close to a whisper.

         "you look like you're in pain, you look drained.."

          "will, please just leave." my voice was almost a whisper now too. I get a bit too defensive at moments, and right now I feel myself becoming defensive.

          "just, talk to me."

           "no, will just get out!" I don't have control over my emotions anymore, I know that anger is taking over. I instantly feel bad for yelling, I want to apologize- but I watch as he climbs back out of my window.

1050 words