dull - Byler

-7-

mike POV

    I woke up on wills shoulder. I was disoriented at first, not remembering the events. in between the bliss of the dream world and the real world.

    still thinking I was asleep, he hugged onto me tightly to make sure I wouldn't fall off his shoulder, and brushed through my hair with his free hand. nothing mattered in this moment but will, as far as I'm concerned nothing else existed. for the first time in months I felt safe, and I also felt a real and genuine smile tugging on my lips.

     I didn't want to pull away from him, but I also didn't want to spend the whole day in the bathroom.

     "..will?" I said, trying my hardest not to ruin the moment.

     "morning" he said, whispering.

      "it's third period, but I don't really want to go back to class." he said, not giving me time to respond.

      now less drowsy, I slowly pulled away from the hug, looking up at him. his back was now against the wall, using his bookbag as a cushion. as always, he looked beautiful. his hazel eyes looked me up and down, probably to read my expression.

       we were so close now. I felt myself blush and I saw he was too. I didn't want this moment to end but sadly it did, way too soon.

      "if you really want we could skip..." will said skeptically.

       "that sounds nice" I responded.

        there was a high chance we'd get caught, but then again, both my parents along with Nancy are at work. and to be honest, I can't see us going back to class after skipping for like 3 hours. so yeah, I think going home is the safest option.

       will helped me up, and as quickly as we could we left the school. it was colder than usual for early November, especially with only a thin jacket to combat the winds.

        still not knowing the exact time, I checked my watch. will was right, it was around third period.

        as we walked, I felt the cold creep into me, causing my hands to turn red. my face was going numb, and I started to shake. I rubbed my arms in an attempt to warm up, which was futile. will seemed to take notice of my shivering, and slowly wrapped an arm under my jacket, grabbing hold on my waist. I actually did start to heat up, but I believe it was because of my blushing.

      we walked slow, but luckily my house wasn't too far so we made it fairly quickly. the door opened with a creak, letting the cold air into the house. after will closed the door behind me, I quickly kick off my shoes. will does the same, placing them neatly behind the door.

      will trailed behind me silently as we walked up the stairs. once we made it into my room, I sat on the side of my bed. he stood in front of me, looking at me with a concerned look.

     "I um- do you have a first aid kit?

     "I should have.. band-aids under my sink?

      he went into my bathroom and turned on the light. he was in there a bit longer than it should find band-aids, and I heard the water running at one point or another.  he walked in with a rag, alcohol wipes, and medical tape? I didn't even know I had any of those.

       he placed all the supplies on the bed and sat in the middle. he patted his hand, telling me to come sit there, and I scooted in front of him.

       as lightly as he could he grabbed my arm, and looked up to me for approval to roll up my sleeve. I nodded. slowly he pulled it up, revealing my bloodstained wrist, still not cleaned from earlier. I felt guilt as concern befell upon his face.

     I have to admit, even though most would feel vulnerable in this moment, I felt safe. because I was with will. at first, I felt gross about my feeling towards him. not normal. but, he makes me feel so safe. and, he's the only person who makes me feel like me. but then again, I never imagined I would be in this situation.

     hesitantly, he grabbed the rag he brought, which I can now see has been run under water.

   "remember when we had to do this with el?" will said nervously, trying to relieve tension.

      I only nodded, patiently waiting for will to be done.

      I looked out the window, watching the trees sway and the leaves fall slowly. sometimes, I looked back at will. he looked concentrated, but also remorseful.

     will was focused on not hurting me, but naturally my arm stung, especially when he used the alcohol wipes. luckily, he worked as fast as he could and we were done within five minutes. he looked up at me, to let me know that he was finished. I broke eye contact to look down at my arm, that was properly bandaged and wrapped in medical tape.

_____

      I'm standing on my balcony, watching the moon. I'd always had a love for space. there's not a cloud in the night sky, and all the stars are visible. the crisp night air is refreshing.

      slowly, I crawled onto the ledge, sitting on it. 

      suddenly, I hear the door opening. will steps out. his hair is messy and he is visibly drowsy. I'd left him sleeping in my bed, but I guess he noticed I left.

      "what're you doing?" he asked, his head tilting slightly.

      "come sit" I say, hoping he isn't too scared of the ledge.

        cautiously, he walked over, and slowly crawled onto the ledge. he was glowing in the moonlight.

       "I was watching the sky, look at all the stars!"

        looking back up, I notice a glowing orb shooting across the sky. it moved quickly, gone before I could point it out. but will noticed too.

       "a shooting star!!" he yelled with a lively voice. I'd seen many shooting stars, as I find myself on my balcony a lot, but I try my best to return the enthusiasm.

       it wasn't long we spent stargazing before will yawned, clearly tired.

      "we should go to bed" I suggest, jumping off the ledge, back onto the balcony.

      "I'm not that tired, don't worry." he says, following me and now facing me on the balcony, making eye contact.

        the breeze blew on his hair.  his cheeks were tinted a light pink, and I can't help but admire him, and it seemed he was staring back.

       I tried to deny my feelings for him- because it wasn't normal. but even so, it felt so right in this moment to close the space between us- 

       and that's what I did.

        butterflies rose in my stomach. I couldn't help but smile  as we both melted into the kiss. more and more fireworks seemed to explode in me as he wrapped his arms under my jacket and around my waist. 

        pulling away for much needed air, I missed contact immediately. 

        "I love you" I said, still slightly out of breath.

        "I love you too"

1198 words