Chapter Text
Something, something, something, Mike had to do something other than sit on the edge of his bed with the whole room leaving empty space for his thoughts.
It was impossible to comprehend— either that or he was scared of trying to wrap his mind around it in case it would work, and then what?
Tap, tap, tap. Fingers, heels, heart. None of him was able to stay still. Sitting was too much, so he began to pace.
There is more— surely, there is more they don’t know. It’s not true, it’s just not, because it can’t be.
Mike had returned home two hours ago from seeing his best friend’s body pulled from a lake. Same clothes, same hair, but it wasn’t Will. It couldn’t have been his Will.
His pacing quickened in efforts to stomp out the tears edging from his eyes.
What was the last thing Will said to him? Something about the campaign?
The campaign— his heart clenched. They couldn’t keep going without Will. He was an integral part of their ongoing storyline.
Shaking the thought from his head, he reassured himself. They’ll find Will alive and it’ll all go back to normal.
It’s okay, Will is okay, it’s all okay.
Ivory and blue were the colours of the body’s skin. Wrinkly or puffy, he can’t remember, but it definitely wasn’t the right texture. It wasn’t Will’s soft, sunkissed skin.
Out of the whole group of friends, Will seemed the most alive to Mike. It was in the shimmer of light that always filled his eyes— the kind you usually only see when people are sharing their passions, but Will had it all the time. The way he raced on his bike, muscles working hard, but he barely ever broke a sweat. Never tired out.
You could always tell how Will was feeling by what his body was doing. He’d been emotive in so many ways, but never limp like the body from the lake.
Mike wanted to bike, to see his friends, he’d even be happy going to school, because at least it would feel familiar. Or maybe the halls would be ridden with gossip, and Will’s locker would be empty, and nothing would ever be the same.
Circles. All Mike was doing was running circles in his mind, an endless loop of questions and denial, hope and desperation. He flung himself onto his bed. It was already late into the night and nothing was settling him down.
With nothing left to give, he pulled his pillow close to his face and cried, each tear dedicated to another memory of Will.
Mike had failed to save him this time.