The Perks of Us

Chapter 5

Nico was amazed.  He was impressed, not by what Will had been through, but by the fact that he had stood up to him and told him straight out.  That was definitely something he admired.  Will followed him uncertainly, and Nico led him down the hill behind the house. He had found this place when he glanced out the window in his room.  His steps were uneven as they went down to a small gazebo in front of a lake.  He loved the view from there.  He sat down, and Will leaned against the frame.  Nico patted the seat beside him, and Will sat. 
"Wow." Nico commented.
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For bursting like that. You probably hate me- you don't need my problems."
"No, I'm glad you did." Will looked at Nico curiously.  Nico noticed him for the first time.  He had golden, beachy waves that flowed down over one blue eye.  There were a million shades of blue in each eye, it was impossible to focus on one.  He had freckled cheeks and a tan.  He ran his fingers through his hair and shifted.
"Why?"
"I don't know." Nico admitted. "I guess it was refreshing.  Nobody's ever done that before. I'm sorry for being such an jerk."  He had never been so nice to anyone other than Hazel and Bianca before, so it felt strange. 
"It's okay. I'm used to it.  I used to be a real ray of sunshine- always happy and optimistic.  Then school happened, and that put an end to it."
"I guess I owe you a backstory, too." Will tilted his head expectantly.
"Everyone stays away from me. I was 8 when my older sister, and the only one who understood me, died in a junkyard accident protecting me.  My mom died of worry, dad remarried then and I had a new sister, Hazel. She's only a year younger than me.  I suffer from anxiety, ADHD, and I'm getting over mild depression. I also have night terrors, which is why I chose to take classes at night- so I don't have to sleep.  My dad left us to be with his new wife, and I had to take care of both of us. We lived alone until I moved. Ta-da." Nico laughed dryly. His story was nothing compared to Wills. He had never told anyone that much about himself, and it surprised him that he could tell Will so easily.  Will nodded. He didn't say he was sorry, or look at him in pity, which Nico was grateful for. Instead he just understood, and that was more than enough.  They were both broken and barely getting by, but at least they were somewhere.

"Look at us." Will stared at the sunset as the rays shattered the water on the lake.
"Look at us." Nico responded.