Laying In A Field Of Black Roses

Chapter 2: Stress

Will woke from the dream feeling like he ran for miles. His heart was racing and sweat spread across his face. He still felt where the man hugged him making him smile. It was evening and the sun was hanging low waiting to slip into night. Will quickly rose up from his bed smelling the dinner waiting downstairs he was happy but there was another problem the awaited him. His dad... Will and his dad were not a great duo, his dad was always making bad gay joke and kept telling Will that being gay was only a phase, which did not sit well with him. He doesn't understand what Will goes through cause of people like him, but that man was is his father and he couldn't just avoid him.

He gathered his mind not wanting to explode on his dad at dinner. He went downstairs seeing his mom had made meatloaf and corn making his hunger even more apparent he grabbed a plate making his way to the meatloaf. When he came by he saw his mom smile she was such an amazing woman "She really deserves better" Will thought as he flashed a smile back to his mom. Suddenly Will heard the front door open and close making Will's anxiety go up as he heard his dads big work boots thump on the ground as he made it to the kitchen. Will turned seeing his dad sweating from working in construction all day, he looked over to Will sending him a glare that Will could easily tell was hate. Will sent the same back to him. Will saw his dad's mouth open to say something but was interrupted by his wife giving him a sweet hug shutting him up quickly.

Will made his plate sitting it on the place farthest from his father's usual position he sat at. As he poured himself a drink of Coke he could see his dad sending daggers towards him from the corner of his eye. Once he sat at the table he began to dig into the delicious meat avoiding eye contact with his father since he didn't want to lose his appetite. Will's mom sat next to his dad giving him a kiss on the cheek before she began to eat. A thick silence loomed over the room for most of the dinner until his dad broke it "So Will how has school been I would hope it's going well." Will shrugged not wanting to make any type of conversation with him whatsoever. After Will finished his dinner he got up and washed his plate, putting it on the drying rack, as he did this his dad spoke again "So what you're not gonna talk to me? you're just gonna push me away?" Will could tell his dad was not happy but he stayed quiet, finally, his dad rose his voice "Answer the damn question!" he could feel his father's intimidating presence at the table but moved past the table thanking his mom for the meal. Finally, his father yelled, "I asked you a question, ANSWER!" Will stopped at the entrance to the stairs, he turned to face him while he still stood at the table simply replying with "There's nothing I want to talk to you about since you think I'm going through a "phase" I will do it alone for the rest of my life if I have to since you won't support me."

With that Will walked up to his room shutting the door making sure to lock it since he didn't want his dad to bother him. He felt glad that he was able to get that out but was the message going to make it to his dad, probably not. Will knew how stubborn his dad was with sticking to his decision , not even his mom could convince him to change. Will grabbed his phone off his nightstand to try and take his mind off of dinner remembering that Connor had sent him a message but did he want to read it? He already had a ton of stress looming over him from the school day but curiosity killed him he opened the text and began to read it.

Hey , Will, it's Connor Jillis I know I am the last person you probably want to talk to as I am the one who has bullied you since ninth grade. In fact ,I'm probably one of the worst people to ever be in your life but I have been having something to weigh down on me since I have first laid eyes on you. Since the sixth grade, I had seen you be so bright and happy but ninth grade I noticed you changed, a lot of people seemed to push you away. To be honest I really wanted to be there for you but the only thing on my mind at that time was trying to fit into the society at least in school and over the years I realized I had made such an awful mistake I let you get hurt and I hurt you. I care about you and I understand if you don't want to do this but I want to ask you something in person if that's possible. Meet me in the foyer if you can stand being near me okay?

Will felt a little shocked so his bully wants to talk to him and cares? For Will, only parts of the equation finished he weighed his options deciding that it was best to see an end to the story so he was going to see Connor and what he wanted to say. He remembers all of the mental scars he had, too many to count sadly just thinking about it made his head hurt. He turned his mind back to Connor thinking about his decision should he reconsider? He knows Connor could have made this all up and end up hurting him more but there was a chance that things could be different as well it racked Will's mind so much he fell asleep.

Next day

Will arrived at school feeling his anxiety choking him tightly he hoped he was right in going to see Connor. Even though he wanted to change his mind he wanted to take his chances and pushed on until he made it to the foyer where he only saw Connor sitting on one of the many benches in the foyer. When he saw Will he stood up flashing a smile, Will was still cautious. He looked around seeing if there were any of his members floating around anywhere but none were to be seen.

Connor spoke, "Don't worry they aren't here today due to being suspended." Will looked at his masculine features if he really wanted to he could sweep many woman off their feet easily but he seemed like a private sort he wondered if he had a girlfriend. Will walked towards Connor meeting him in the middle. They were standing silently as an awkward aura filled the air making Will's anxiety nearly explode to the surface. Finally, Connor broke the ice "Uh here sit down so we can be comfortable to talk." Will almost wanted to laugh at how awkward Connor was but he kept it in as he sat down. Connor sat next to him, Will noticed he was very tense for how mean he was just yesterday. He broke the silence "So what did you need to tell me?" when he asked Connor seemed to tense up even more than he already was refusing to make eye contact with Will. he thought "Maybe he just needs some encouragement." and so he scooted closer saying "I-Its okay to say what you need to tell me I won't be mad." Connor turned to make contact seeing a sincere look on Will's face it helped to calm him surprisingly.

Connor took a deep breath looking into Will's eyes that were a beautiful baby blue. "Will as I said earlier I had been so rude and inconsiderate to you I regret it every day that I do it but I want to say... I-I really like you, Will, I know it seems crazy but I can't stop thinking about you but just cause I say this does not mean you have to-" Will stopped him putting his finger over his lips "I-it's okay I forgive you Connor but I need to ask you something." Connor nodded listening intently "Why not tell me sooner?" he looked away from Will feeling the question push down on him "I don't know Will, I really don't." Will kept his cool while he saw Connor have a face of pain. Will hesitated but slowly brought his hand to his cheek bring his face eye level to his "Connor don't let the past weigh down on you I think my feelings are the same but I don't want to rush into something so big." Connor gave a small smile responding with "I know I will be there every step of the way if I have to." Will smiled feeling his heart skip a beat. Suddenly Will felt confidence wash over him bringing his face closer to Conner's until their lips connected making fireworks explode from both of their hearts. The kiss lasted for a few seconds but felt like an eternity to them, Will was the first one to pull back slowly letting Connor process what had happened. Will asked, "How do you feel?" Connor smiled "I feel amazing Will." suddenly the bell rung making Will panic he was late for class... Connor smiled "You should get going I need to go anyways I'm suspended as well." Will gave a what the fudge face as Connor began to run to the door that leads outside The last thing Conner said was "See you around cutie." Making Will's cheeks flush as he saw Connor's body completely go out the door. Will walked to class thinking about how big that little incident was and how much butterflies he had in his stomach.