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How did it turn out like this? Cheeks wet from tears, the only thing audible over the awkward silence was soft sniffles from the two teenagers.
– I’m sorry.
It was once again time for Hillerska School’s yearly family dinner, the dining hall was filled with the richest and most privileged families of the country. Everyone spoke over each other, holding a glass of champagne in their hands. Wilhelm stood tucked away from all people, leaned against a wall. He really didn’t want to be there. Not at this school, not at this dinner, he just wanted to be at home, in his room in his own bed. He could feel the anxiety start bubbling up inside his chest. It almost felt like someone had tied a rope around his ribs and pulled tight with all their might. He quickly looked up and down the corridor before he pushed off from the wall. Wille walked up and down the corridor a few times before stopping by the window. He ran his fingers through his hair, which fell right back into place in his styled middle part.
In that same moment Felice came walking down the corridor. Her hair perfectly curled with a gold clip on either side of her bangs. She walked up to Wilhelm without him noticing.
– Hi.
Wille snapped out of his thoughts and jumped slightly when the silence was broken. He turned around and relaxed a bit when he saw who it was.
– Felice? What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with everyone else?
She shook her head and shrugged lightly. She took a step closer and carefully placed her hand on his shoulder. Felice leaned in and gave him a kiss. Wille was as far away from okay with kissing Felice as you could get. First of all he was barely attracted to girls, and secondly he had a wonderful boyfriend.
Wilhelm’s boyfriend, Simon, walked past and of course saw him kiss Felice. The three of them stood still as if someone had paused the time or turned them to statues. Simon shook his head, unsure what he was supposed to do in this situation.
– What the fuck Wille..
He sighed, turned around and left. Felice gave him a pained smile before she left as well. Wille stayed behind in silence, overthinking every choice he had ever made to end up in this situation, the parents’ loud laughs in the background.
The days went by and by the end of the week neither Simon nor Wilhelm said anything to the other about that evening. Wille checked his phone for surely the millionth time that hour. But this time there was a text message from Simon. Meet me by the water in 10 minutes. He shot up from the bed, quickly threw on his jacket, wrapped his scarf around his neck and hurried down to the water. Down by the little lake where the rowing team did their training he found Simon standing with his back turned towards him. He had his arms wrapped around himself and it almost looked like he were crying?
– Simon? What? Are you crying?
– What do you think Wille!? First you treat me like some kind of prince in a fairytale. Then you go behind my back and kiss someone else, a girl too!
Wilhelm took a few steps backwards as Simon turned towards him. Wille bit himself in the lips slightly and stared down at the ground, at the few leaves that had fallen from the big oak. He felt how his eyes slowly started filling up with tears and forced him to blink multiple times to not risk any of them falling onto his cheek.
– It wasn’t my fault.
– What? What are you talking about Wilhelm, I saw you kissing Felice. How is that not your fault?
They both stood quietly for what felt like years but in reality only was a few short seconds. The only thing that could be heard over the awkward silence was soft sniffles and a few rustling leaves here and there.
– she kissed me out of the blue. I didn’t have time to stop her, and when I pushed her off you walked by. Then you both left before I could explain anything, all of this is a big misunderstanding.
He sighed deeply, glad to finally get what happened that day almost a week ago off of his chest. Wille put his arms out offering a hug to Simon, who gladly accepted it.
– I shouldn’t have ignored you for so long without saying anything, I’m sorry.
Simon mumbled into Wilhelm’s chest.
There they were in the autumn-sun. With cheeks damp from tears in warming hug.
– I’m sorry.