haunted ; byler

6. ive never been in love

"what the fuck is this shit?"

I couldn't help but grimace as I tasted the sickly-sweet flavor of mike's bubble gum drink. I had no idea why he even liked it, but I wasn't about to question his taste buds.

as I handed the cup back to him, I tried to discreetly wipe my mouth, hoping to rid myself of the overpowering aftertaste.

"come on will it's not that bad", mike chuckled, but his laughter was cut short when he looked around and saw the disgusted expressions on everyone's faces in response to my reaction.

"mike you have gotten negative reactions from everyone who's tried it," max remarked, her tone keeping us from an awkward moment, as always.

"why don't you try mine then?", okay I admit my sudden bold behaviour was out of the pocket. but maybe I was just a little to focused on a special someone.

I slid over my chocolate milkshake over to mike, as he stared at it then back at me in the most besotted way ever.

I rather think he takes his stranger flirting methods with friends too far, rather then think what I want to think.

he flashed a warm smile as he reached for my chocolate milkshake, and without hesitation, taking a sip.

suddenly, he turned to me with a mischievous glint in his eye and said, "you know, will, we've been best friends since we were 5. you love me, right? and people who love each other should share everything. so, I should keep this."

I let out a playful scoff, trying to brush off the implication that we were in love, but I could feel a warm, fuzzy feeling growing in my chest.

As I tried to ignore it, I caught lucas's eyes on me, the devilish stare making me feel uneasy.

shaking off the feeling, I said, "No, mike. this is a good lesson for you to stop drinking bubble gum it's disgusting."

despite my attempt at humor, I could feel myself getting lost in his infectious smile, and the idea of sharing everything with him suddenly didn't seem like such a bad idea.

"that's some lovers shit right there get a room"

max's voice filled the air once again, her face looking as if she wanted to throw up there and then. I blushed again, her actions always made me blush.

because, well her actions were mostly focused on making fun of mike. but im pretty sure she knows about my thing with him.

.

we ended up sharing the drink as mike adjusted to sitting next to me, really close to me. but I couldn't help but grin at his every action.

max however continued to stare me down throughout the whole duration of our lunch.

as I took a bite of my burger, I was greeted with the weight of someones head landing on my shoulder.

I slightly flinched my head as mike, mouth open wide, lay on my shoulder.

"mike get up!", I bugged him, but to no avail.

"one bite and I promise ill stop" he assured me, which would definitely not be reliable.

however, I gave in and directed my hand down to his head as he took a bite of my food. satisfied, he moved his head from my person.

"stop free loading off my food Im barely surviving,"

"i payed for your portion." mike said, holding onto his chest acting like I had broken his heart.

and how the blood rushed into my cheeks didn't surprise me, but I brushed it off. I could always blame it on the heat anyways, could I not?

I guess it wasn't that easy to just bring up the heat as a factor. my face very much lit up after that interaction, but my face wasn't the only one.

I stared across the table to be, constantly, met with the couple grinning like the devil.

I try to convince myself it's just a crush at this point but it really isn't.

because loving him is like trying to change your mind once you're already flying through the free fall.

there really is no going back.

but I keep that thought to myself.

im happy with where I am now, and I wouldn't do a thing to jeopardize this reality.

even if I do have to admit,ive never really been in love.

and I fucking hate it.