byler oneshots

68 - the first fall of snow

will pov
winter of sophomore year

I grab a blue bag with little sparkly snowflakes on it from the front closet of our house and put the new purple skateboard wheels and stickers in it, stuffing the rest of the empty space with white tissue paper.

I write Max a quick card and draw a little picture of Santa because I am her secret Santa, and start rummaging through my outfit for a good outfit.

I find a pair of blue jeans and a maroon sweater, and of course my black converse. I walk over to the mirror over my desk and brush down my hair, making sure that I look perfect.

I've recently accepted the fact that I've liked Mike for a very long time, and I think I'm going to tell him, but there is this pit in my stomach and this voice in my head that tells me not to every time I consider it.

I shake the thought out of my mind and grab the bag, eager to find out who got me as their secret Santa.

"Jonathan! Can you take me to Mikes?" I say through his closed door.

"Sure! One sec!" he says back. I hear him grab his keys and we leave and hop in the car, my stomach in knots as we get closer and closer.

"What's wrong buddy?" Jonathan asks.

"Oh - oh it's just that - remember what I told you that day...about liking Mike? I really wanna tell him." I say, my body heating up from embarrassment.

"You should! Will, I've seen the way he looks at you. He definitely feels the same. Have fun and I'll be back at eleven to get you." he says. The nerves pulsing through my body melt as I give him a side hug and hop out of the car, walking up to the door.

I hesitate a second before I ring the doorbell, and Mike almost immediately appears in front of me with a huge smile on his face.

"Will!" he says, wrapping his arms around me tightly. I practically fall over at his touch, but it's over in a second. He leads me inside and downstairs where the rest of the party is sitting.

The others exchange gifts, and Max ends up loving the skateboard wheels and stickers.

"Thanks Byers!" she says happily, leaving over and hugging me tightly. I scan the room and realize that I'm the only person who hasn't gotten a gift, and Mike is the only one who hasn't given a gift.

"Here. Sorry the wrapping is so messy." Mike says, laughing and sliding a thinly wrapped package to me. I giggle and admire the very messy and ripped red and green paper. I squeeze my eyes shut for a second before tearing it open, and tears almost escape my eyes when I see what it is.

Boys Don't Cry by The Cure

A perfect, crisp vinyl record sits in front of me. One that I have been wanting for years and years, but we can't go around spending money on little things.

"Mike I - thank you so much." I say, hugging him tightly. I think it catches him by surprise, but he hugs me back for a few seconds before I remember that other people are around.

"I gotta go, but this was really fun. I think I'm Dustin's ride too." Max says, standing up.

"I should get going too. I'm seeing family tomorrow for Christmas Eve. See you guys later!" Lucas says. Before I even think to say I have to go too, they are all gone, and it's just me and Mike. I look at my watch and it's already ten fifty.

"Wanna go wait outside for your brother?" Mike says, reading my mind.

I nod and follow him upstairs and outside, both of us sitting on the porch. I fidget with my fingers as I try to think of the right things to say, but he interrupts my thoughts with his words.

"Everything okay? You seem kinda...nervous?" he says, more of a question than an observation. 

"Oh. It's nothing." I say, looking at my feet.

"Come on, Will. Talk to me." he says. I take a deep breath and internally pray that I don't ruin the one good thing left in my life. Our friendship.

"This is really hard for me to talk about, and I'll understand if you don't wanna be friends or see me again after I say it, but I think I like boys." I take a deep breath.

"I think I like you, Mike." I say, looking over to see his eyes already on me.

"Oh." he chokes out. I feel my body burn with embarrassment despite the cold December chill.

"I'm so sorry." I say softly.

"Why?" he asks, catching me off guard.

"Because you don't feel the same." I say sadly.

"Who said that I didn't?" Mike asks, our eyes meeting again. I feel my body shake as his hand moves to my chin, tilting my head up and inching closer to me. His lips finally meet mine, and it feels like time practically stops. When we finally lean away, I feel a little cold dot land on my cheek, and look up to see little white snowflakes falling from the sky.

"It's snowing." I say happily.

"This is perfect. This whole moment is something I've been waiting for for a long time." Mike says, honestly shocking me.

He kisses me once more on the cheek as Jonathan pulls up and rolls the window down.

"Get a room!" he yells, both of our cheeks turning scarlet red.

"Bye, Will. Come over tomorrow?" Mike asks.

"Absolutely." I say, walking to the car. When I get in, I feel totally flustered, like I'm floating on a cloud.