Between The Line || EstWilliam AU

Twelve

William sat through the next class, his hand absentmindedly moving across the page of his notebook, sketching random lines that slowly took the shape of some abstract design. He wasn't paying attention to the lesson at all, and his eyes kept darting to the clock. The minutes dragged on, and the teacher's voice became a monotonous hum in the background.

His mind kept going back to the conversation with Est. He didn't care about what the teachers thought of him, or his friends, or even his parents half the time. But Est? Est was different. He'd been the only constant, the only person who didn't give up on him when everyone else had written him off as a lost cause.

'You've got to change.'

William hated those words because they were true. And if he didn't, Est might actually leave. The thought made his stomach twist in a way that nothing else could. He wasn't ready for that. He wasn't ready to lose the one person who saw past all the crap he put out into the world.

The bell finally rang, jolting him from his thoughts. He shut his notebook with a snap and shoved it into his bag, not caring if the pages crumpled inside. As the other students filtered out of the classroom, he hung back for a moment, letting the crowd thin out. He didn't want to deal with the fake smiles or forced conversations with people who pretended to care. They didn't really care, and William could see through their acts.

He walked out into the hall, heading toward his locker. That's when he spotted Kai and the rest of his friends lounging by the lockers, waiting for him. Kai grinned as William approached, but there was a hint of curiosity in his eyes.

"Yo, man," Kai called out. "What's with you today? You're actually going to all your classes. Are you mad?"

William shrugged. "Just felt like it, I guess."

Mark laughed, slapping him on the back. "Man, if Est put the fear of God into you, you can just say it. No shame in that."

William shot Mark a glare but said nothing. He didn't like how easily his friends read the situation. The fact that they could see through him that quickly annoyed him, but what was worse was how accurate they were. He didn't want to admit it, even to himself, that Est's words were having an effect on him.

As they walked toward the school gates, Mark nudged him again. "So what's the deal, man? You skipping the next class with us or what?"

William shook his head. "Nah, not today."

Kai rolled his eyes. "Come on, Will, seriously? You're really just gonna sit in class and waste time?"

"I'm not in the mood, alright?" William snapped, his tone sharper than he intended. He could feel the frustration bubbling up, and he didn't want to take it out on his friends.

Kai held up his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright, chill out. No need to bite my head off."

William rubbed the back of his neck, muttering a half-hearted apology as they continued walking. His friends didn't push him further, sensing his mood. They were used to his ups and downs, but this time it felt different. William wasn't just annoyed—he was distracted.

As they reached the school gates, William stopped, watching his friends walk ahead. Kai turned around, raising an eyebrow. "You coming?"

William hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "No. I'll catch you guys later."

He wandered through the halls aimlessly, not sure where he was going. His feet led him toward the library, a place he rarely visited. But for some reason, he felt like being there today, away from the noise and the pressure of everything else.

As he entered the quiet space, the smell of old books and the low murmur of students working greeted him. He found a corner in the back, away from everyone, and sat down at an empty table. Pulling out his notebook, he flipped to a blank page and started sketching again. The rhythmic scratching of his pencil against the paper was soothing, a way to escape from his thoughts.

But no matter how hard he tried to focus on the drawing, Est's face kept creeping into his mind. His older brother's serious expression from that night, the way he'd looked at him with a mixture of disappointment and concern. William had never seen Est like that before, and it scared him.

He dropped the pencil and leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. What was he supposed to do? He wasn't good at school. He hated it. The teachers, the students, the whole system—it all felt like a giant trap, designed to crush him into submission. But if he didn't change, if he didn't at least try, then Est might really leave.

And that thought was unbearable.

He clenched his fists, frustrated with himself. Why couldn't he just be better? Why was it so hard for him to do the things that seemed so easy?

As the minutes ticked by, William sat there, wrestling with his thoughts. He didn't know what the future held for him.