Heart of Falsity - Byler

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟏 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬

September 6th 1986

Saturday 5:29 pm

- - ♡ - -

Mike grabs his hairbrush from the bureau and places it under his mouth - it's his imaginary microphone. In his world, it's the coolest mic ever, and it's just that - he is in his own little world. A world where everything is only good.

Almost two minutes ago, the record player started playing one of Mike's favorite songs. He puts his right foot on his bed and climbs up. He clears his throat in the middle of the second verse.

"Cause you're my lady, I'm your fool. It makes me crazy when you act so cruel. Come on baby, let's not fight! We'll go dancing, everything will be alright!"

The door shuts open and Mike flinches by the sudden surprise of his sister.

"Holy shit, Nancy!"

"Are you always gonna be late when we're going somewhere? We're leaving in fifteen minutes and you still haven't gotten dressed! We are waiting, you know!" Nancy says all frustrated, tired of her brother for being so lazy all the time.

"Okay, okay!" Mike says and jumps down from the madras. He throws the hairbrush and it lands on something, probably on some forgotten homework-paper.

"Lower the volume!" she says and he does exactly what he's told, which is very untypical Michael Wheeler. "And by the way, I didn't know you liked this kind of music."

Mike gives his sister a confused look.

"What about it?" he asks.

"Nothing." Nancy turns around and disappears from the door opening.

Mike walks over to his closet and starts picking clothes. The lyrics of Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go is stuck in Mike's head. He doesn't really want anyone to know about his obsession with the pop duo, but now Nancy knows. The lyrics is sometimes very relatable, but what about some words? Like... lady. Some words does Mike like better, baby is a good one. But just a simple you is probably the best and easiest. Then you don't have to reflect so much about it.

Mike snatches his watch from the bureau and wraps it around his right wrist. But what else should he wear? He wants to look good, but not too fancy... right?

He grabs a white t-shirt from the floor and puts it on. He opens his closet and takes a blue flannel and a pair of black jeans from the drawer underneath.

He lets the last tones of the song go before shutting the player off. Mike runs down the stairs and meets his family.

"Are you really gonna wear that? It's cold, Michael." Karen says. "Fall has come early this year, so a sweater would be better."

"Yeah, but we're not gonna be outside, aren't we?" Mike snorts.

"Just... take your jacket." Karen sighs.

Mike grabs his dark grey denim jacket with the fluffy collar and walks out to the car.

-

5:57 pm

Will is in his room. He is working on a new painting. Suddenly he hears the doorbell ringing.

"Will, can you go open?" Joyce says from the kitchen.

"Yes mom!" Will puts down the painting-brush and walks out to the hall. He opens the front-door and he sees Karen standing there.

"Hi Will!"