Oh, and I Meant To

The Decline

Will flipped to the next letter.

Dear Will,
I know I sent a letter, like, a week ago, but I thought I'd check up on you because it's Nov. 6th, you know. I'm so done with this school, some random kid beat me up and started calling me ----- names. And then, to add onto that, my dad told me that if I "got beat up that bad I fight like a girl." It sucks here, and you aren't here, and honestly sometimes I just go home, lay on the floor and stare at the ceiling, so I don't cry. I'm not supposed to cry, right? Anyways, I did join Eddie's club, but it's nothing like when you were playing with us. I actually think you'd like Eddie, if you met him. And, I'm done with my pity party.
- ---- From, Mike

Mike had crossed a few things out, scribbling hard with a pencil. Will ran his thumb over the paper, to feel little bumps, like tears had fallen onto it. Why hadn't Mike told him? Will swallowed the lump in his throat and went to the next letter.

Dear Will,
My life has definitely been falling apart. And to make it worse, El and I got back together. I don't hate her or anything, I just can't be in love with her. I guess I might like someone else, but I don't want to cause more damage than I already have. I haven't been doing well, I've been eating less. I can only really eat and sleep in the basement, and at night I just stare at the D&D board and --- think. I don't think I ever apologized, but I'm really sorry about the fight in July. And I know you've been called names, and to be told something like that by your friend must've hurt. So I'm sorry. It was messed up. Anyways, how are you? What's it like in Cali? Is there anything cool? Have you made any new friends? El says you have, but I'd also like to hear from you. I miss you a lot, and I really wish I could call you more.
--From, Mike

Will's eyes filled with tears, reading about Mike's suffering hurt. He knew Mike had problems, but he didn't know they were that bad. Will set the letters down for a moment, fixing his composure.

He was going to make sure Mike never felt like that again.