Boys Don't Cry - Byler

Chapter 3

Trigger warning! Abuse

Wills pov

The last two weeks have been great. I went to everyone's houses, met their parents and siblings, and we just had a good time.

But now, we're at Richie's and everyone is asking if they can come over to my house.

"Come on, we want to see your house!" Richie says. I sigh. "Okay okay, how about, Wednesday?" I only suggest that because Lonnie isn't going to be home that day.

"Yes! Okay sure." Richie says as everyone agrees.

"Richie! If you want to go to your friends house you have to bring your brother!" Karen Wheeler yells from the basement stairs.

"Really mom? I'm not 5!" We hear Mike shout. "Well the last time you were home alone you threw a party and the house got destroyed!" Karen said annoyed.

"Mom! Does he really have to come?" Richie complains. "Yes! And I'll be there to make sure of it!" She says, closing the door.

"Are you kidding me?" Max says.

We spend the rest of the day talking and laughing, or gossiping on Richie's part, and then we all went home.

___

It's finally Wednesday, and we are riding our bikes to my house.

"Beats spending it inside of your mother!" Richie says. "Your so not funny." Eddie replies. "For real Richie." Mike chuckles trying to keep a straight face.
"I am to!" Richie pretends to look offended.
"Are not!" Mike says. "Are to!" "Are not!"
And this goes on. I laugh as Beverly and Max try to shut them up.

We finally made it. We put our bikes down. "Is your mom or dad not here?" Eddie asks.
"No, my mom works late, and my dad is wherever. My brother is rarely here." I say as we walk through the door.

"Okay so, what should we do?" El asks. "We should play uno!" Dustin shouts out. "No!" Max says. "..monopoly?" He tries again.
We all agree on monopoly and go up to my room to start playing.

"Woah, I like your room Will!" El says, smiling. "Thanks," I reply.

"Michael, you really such at this game." Richie says. "It's not my fault, Richard." Mike smirks. "Okay, that's it-" and bam, Richie starts tackling Mike.

"Beat his ass!" Max chants. Dustin, Lucas, El, Eddie, Beverly and me are all red from laughing.

Mid play-fight, there is a slam at the door. Shit. "What the hell was that?" Richie asks as he gets off Mike, who looks confused as well.

Shatter. Something broke.

"Um- guys, s-stay here!" I say panicked. "Will, w-what's going on?" Bill asks.
"Nothing, you just need to be quiet." I say through fast breaths.

I get up, walk out my door and into the living room. I see everyone creeping out the room looking at what happening. More like what's about to happen.

When my dad sees me he yells at me, "Why are there so many bikes here?"
"Some friends came over.." I narrow my head. He looks beyond angry. Yeah, he's drunk. He picks up an almost empty beer bottle and smashed it on the ground. This is what he does on his bad days.

"Are they still here?!" He shouts. "Yes.." I say, voice quiet. He grabs me forcefully by my arm.

"You know the rules. You can't bring people over to my house. Not without my permission." His grip tightens.

"Dad..dad let go-" he cuts me off and tightens it even more. I wince. "And if you think you can just do whatever you want because I'm not here, you really are stupid, fag." His grip on my arm is so tight he might actually break it. "I wasn't trying to-" I can't finish because he slaps me with his other hand. "Don't lie to me!" He yells. I try to stay in composure.

"Dad please let go.. your hurting me!" I say a bit louder. "Oh man up! Your my son, and my son's aren't fairies. You got that?" He yanks me towards him. At this point I'm crying and hyperventilating so I just nod frantically. "Speak. Words!" He screams. "Y-yes! I understand." I say, desperately trying to free my arm. "Again." He tightens his grip even more, I don't think he can hold on tighter. I whimper in pain. "I.. understand."

I breathe out of relief when he releases me. No I just have a huge bruise on my arm and tears streaming down my face.

"Clean that up." He says as he goes to sit down in the couch.

I crouch down, feeling completely defeated. They saw all of that. Why am I such a baby?
Why can't I be strong? They're all gonna think I'm pathetic. Or they're gonna pity me and baby me for the rest of my life.

I clean up the shattered beer bottles and dump them into the trash.

I stand up, and debate on whether I should go in my room or not. It's obvious they all saw the whole thing.

I push past my anxiety, and open the door to my room and walk in.

When I walk in, everyone snaps their head towards me. "Hey, guys..you should probably go.." I smile weakly. "Do you want us to help clean the game up?" El asks in a soft tone. "No, it's okay. I'll do it." She nods and they all stand up and one by one give me a hug. When it comes to Mike, he looks at me with a sorrowful expression, rests his hand on my shoulder, then pulls me into a hug. I wasn't expecting it, but I melted into it.

"Bye, Will." He says as he left go and looks at me. "Bye Mike." I say in a weak voice. His eyes linger on me for a few seconds, then he looks down and walks away.

I wave to everyone, and when they walk out the door I sigh heavily and clean up the board game.

I don't bother changing, and I cry silent tears until I fall asleep.