Homophobic! Mike x Will

Chapter 3

"Yo," Lucas began, "I've got an idea."
Mike turned to him, giving a quizzical look.
"What is it?"
"Mike, do your parents have any alcohol?"
"Alcohol...?" he muttered with an unsure look, "I mean, yeah, I guess. It's in the cabi... what are you implying?"
"Truth or dare on a whooole new level," he said with a sly smirk, heading towards the cabinet Mike referred to.
"Oh, no," Mike whispered angrily, "noooo way. We're 14, we can't do this,"
Mike stood from his position, following Lucas hastily.
"C'mon, Mike. It's not a big deal! We'll keep it in moderation. None of us really want to drink alcohol, right? That's why this'll get interesting!"
Mike glanced to me as I shrugged in response. I wasn't one for alcohol, but I shrugged anyway. How could I do that? Of course I want to say no, of course I do! This is ridiculous.
Dustin shrugged as well, as Mike sighed in anger.
"No. That's final."

"Shit," Mike muttered as he gazed down at the shot glass containing the alcoholic beverage.
"Let this begin," Lucas said dramatically, as he flicked the spinner that sat between the four of them.
"Dustin, truth or dare?"
"Dare,"
"Lick the bottom of your shoe!"
"Done,"

The night had only just begun, then. I had been lucky enough to avoid being targeted by the spinner, but my time was to come eventually.
"Will!"
"Shoot," I muttered, looking up to Dustin's grin. "Truth."
I shouldn't have said that.
"Who do you have a crush on?"
I should not have said that.
"I..."
I couldn't lie, could I? They'd tease me with that girl forever. Besides, lying was against the rules. Turning to Mike, who had taken a drink or two by this point, I felt himself crumble.
"I like Beth."
"Beth?"
Lucas and Dustin turned to each-other, before shrugging. Were they really going to let me off so easy?
Nope. Of course they weren't.
"Truth or dare?"
"Dare," I said boldly, after a few drinks of alcohol, as Dustin laughed in a pleased manner.
"I dare you to tell us who you really have a crush on,"
"Hadn't I told you already?"
"We all knew you weren't telling the actual truth, Will."
"Yeah, c'mon, give us the goods," Mike laughed, tipsy and smiling like an idiot.

Third Person POV

Of course, this secret had burdened Will for years. Truth be told he wanted to tell them more than anything. However, due to the authors sick craving for drama, Will understood that he wasn't nearly ready to admit that. He reached for the shot glass again and drank from it, as the three boys groaned in defeat.

"You know," Mike said, as Will lay next to him facing the opposite direction, "you don't have to be afraid of telling us any secrets burdening you. We act kinda stupid at times sure, but we're also your friends and stupid or not, we're always gonna be here for you."
Will pulled the sheet close to him.
"Thanks, Mike," he muttered in reply, as he tried his entire best not to freak. How could he do this? This torment was becoming too much. Pressing his hands against his eyes, Will heard Mike shift slightly, and soon enough his friend was out cold.

He was a good friend—a great friend, in fact. How could he ever match his standards?
There was so much emotion within him. All at once he wanted to cry out in happiness for his support, but, then, he wanted to sulk for even though he tried to convince himself otherwise, the boy understood that he wouldn't be getting what he wanted anytime soon. Mike still loved Eleven. He couldn't force it out of him. Sometimes, he wish he could. If he could turn back time, he would erase the entire upside down situation completely. Then, he would stay here in the real world with Mike, and not worry about this girl he longed for every day because in that world, she didn't happen.

Why did it have to be him, of all people? Why did he have to be like this? Even though he was reunited with Mike, he felt almost as if the gap was returning, and it wouldn't ever be the same no matter how hard he tried. Why?
Why was he the one sent into the darkness—into the cold to be alone, and scared, and why for god's sake hasn't this darkness left? Why is it still inside of him making him sicker by the day, and making him feel only lonelier and lonelier like he's losing it all over again when he's not? Why is this darkness something new— and something so much colder?

God, why me?