Flower Boy

Chapter Five

The two stepped off the bus, thanking the driver before heading down the road. Mike noticed Will was still walking by his side. 

"Don't you have work today?" Mike asked. Will nodded.

"Yes but I suppose I could stop by and get a drink first." Mike beamed. Mike opened the door, Max looking over at him from the counter. 

"Finally! What took you forever? Who's this?" Max asked, looking at Will up and down. Will hooked his pinky with Mike's his hands warming from embarrassment. 

"Max, this is my friend Will. Will, this is my annoy co-worker Maxine." Will smiled, waving.

"It's Max," she growled, glaring at Mike. She looked back at Will. "It's nice to meet you."

"You too." Will smiled. Will stood by the counter, chatting with Max as he tied struggling to tie his apron around his waist. 

"Need help?" Will asked, swatting Mike's hands away from the material. He let out a grunt of approval, standing there as Will tied it into a cute bow. Max laughed, taking a picture before giving Will a fist-bump. Mike rolled his eyes, ruffling Will's soft hair. Will ordered a simple vanilla and caramel brew, eventually sitting down and taking a few sips. Max looked at Mike. 

"Do you like him?" Mike choked, covering up his cough with a laugh. 

"What? No! Why would you think that?" Max raised an eyebrow, shaking her head.

"I'm not gay, Max." Max just looked at him. Mike's face flushed.

"Okay, maybe he's kind of cute." He hid his face, trying to calm the heat in his face. Max smiled brightly, hugging Mike's boney body. 

"Aw! My boy has a boyfriend!" She squealed, bouncing up and down excitedly. He rolled his eyes mentally, struggling to get out of her grip. Will looked at Mike, giggling as Mike plead for help. Max just clung on tighter, Mike wiggling in her arms. Eventually, Max let go of him, making him let out a breath of relief. Will stood, gathering his things and throwing the empty paper cup into the garbage bin. 

"Where are you going?" Mike asked, moving the small barn door to exit the counter area. 

"I'm going to go open the shop. I'll meet you there?" Will asked, looking up at Mike through his long lashes. Mike nodded, opening his arms. Will happily excepted it, wrapping his arms around Mike's neck as he wrapped his arms around Will's hips. Mike inhaled his scent--cinnamon and vanilla. Mike smelled like cologne and pinewood. Max cleared her throat. The two separated, smiling before going separate ways. 

Time skip 

Will was running back and forth, watering the plants, handling customers, and even picking bugs off of the plants. Will's face was warm, soft pants coming out of his mouth. Then the bell rang. Will looked towards the entrance.

"Will! How are you?" A sweet voice exclaimed. Will knew exactly who it was. Shawnee Pourier. Shawnee had a huge crush on Will in college, and he was sure she still did. She was short, puffy black hair that curled out on the ends with wispy bangs. 

"Oh hi! I'm good, how about you?" Will asked, setting his crates of baby plants down to sit at the front counter. She leaned against it, batting her eyelashes as she looked at him. 

"Good! It's been too long since I last saw you! You look just as handsome." She smiled. He chuckled nervously. Sure, she was a nice girl but she had no interested in her or girls in general. He remembers a distinct memory--In class, the two say by each other. At one point, she reached her foot under his pant leg, softly rubbing his ankle. He moved his foot away, trying his hardest not to say or do anything. He just smiled back, rubbing his palms together. 

"So," She said, "Do you have a girlfriend?" Will gulped lightly, looking at his hands before shaking his head. She just nodded, trying to hide her smile. She reached for his hand, grazing his fist with her fingers softly. Will flinched mentally, trying his hardest not to be rude. 

"Would you maybe want to go out for lunch sometime?" She whispered, looking up at him with a small pout and bright eyes. Will bit the inside of his cheek.

"Uhm-sure." He cursed at himself in his head. She smiled brightly, tilting her head.

"Perfect! Would Friday at noon work?" Tomorrow. He was planning to hang out with Mike. He nodded, kicking himself for agreeing to it. 

"Perfect," she said once more. "Well I'll see you around? Have a good day, William." Will cringed at that name. He hated being called his full name, especially by someone other than his family. But then he remembered how Mike called him that and he didn't have a care in the world. The bell rang once the door closed, making him let out a breath of relief. He folded his arms, his head hanging down as he stared at the counter. He felt regret and grief hit him, making tears fill the brim the edges of his eyes. He looked up at the ceiling, trying to blink back the tears that were threatening to spill. He squeezed his eyes shut, wiping his eyes against his sweater. He tried and tried to collect himself, struggling to control his breathing. After a few minutes however, he finally calmed down, breathing in and out slowly. Then, the bell rang. With excitement, Will's head snapped up, smiling once he saw who it was. 

"What? Did ya miss me or something?" Mike chuckled, setting his stuff down before opening his arms. Will rushed from his desk, running into Mike's arms. Mike grunted at the impact. He wrapped his arms snug around Will's back, pulling him into him more. 

"Maybe I did," he mumbled. "So what?" Mike's cheeks burned. Will dug his head into Mike's chest, pressing his ear against his bicep. Mike smiled to himself. For once, he let himself feel submissive around someone. 

"Yeah? Well maybe I missed you too."

(1001 words)