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The whole situation at the airport was probably the most awkward thing Will had ever experienced. Not only did he have no clue why Mike was acting this way, he also had no idea why El seemed to be lying to her boyfriend. There were so many questions he needed answered. Will watched the two giggle at each other in the car, almost as if he wasn’t even there. Will didn’t even want to go rollerskating, yet here he is. But who knows! Maybe it’ll be fun. He switched his attention to outside of the window, and mentally prepared himself for what this day was going to bring him.
When the van finally pulled into the parking lot, the couple had hopped out and walked in without even looking back at Will. And before he knew it, he was scowling as he shuffled out of the back seat. He spared Jonathan and Argyle a glance before he walked inside of the rink.
“Have fun, Ok?” Jonathan had said, and knowing his brother, Will knows Jonathan could sense his discomfort. He simply nodded with a sad smile.
He hurried to catch up with the couple.
-
If Will’s going to be completely honest, he is not in the greatest mood right now. He has been third wheeling all day. And oh, did he mention it was his birthday? Hell, he almost forgot it was himself. He tried not to be too bitter. Life has been busy, and the couple was so excited to see each other. He can’t blame them.
Once they had their skates, they made their way to the rink. He didn’t know what he expected, but this was the worst possible outcome. To put it frankly, it was a horrible experience. How can he feel so awkward and misplaced with his sister and best friend? He should be having a blast right now.
Well, he wasn’t.
He eventually excused himself to go “Find a table for later” to which the couple enthusiastically agreed to.
Now, here he is. Awkwardly sitting alone at a table in a crowded skating rink when he would much rather be at home finishing the paintings he’s been working on.
There was no point in being angry, really. He had agreed to come here. It’s not Mike’s fault and definitely not El’s fault that he’s just a tad more sensitive than most people.
By the time the couple had come back, Will had started doodling on his napkin with a pen he found on the ground. Yes, he was that bored. When he looked at the two though, he couldn’t help the soft smile that graced his features.
El was chattering away, a pretty smile on her face. Mike was listening closely, with a just as pretty grin. They were holding hands, not watching where they’re walking, instead getting lost in each other's eyes. It was sweet. Really sweet.
So why did Will feel sick to his stomach?
“Will! Hello, sorry we took so long. We lost track of the time.” El’s sweet voice greeted him. He forced a grin.
“No problem, I’m glad you guys had fun.” He said, not sure if he genuinely meant that or not.
Mike didn’t say a word, instead he turned to El and asked, “Do milkshakes sound good to you? Because they sound great to me.” With his goofy grin. He stood up, obviously about to head towards the concession counter.
“Oh yes! I will have chocolate-banana please!” she exclaimed, digging in her pocket presumably to find her wallet.
“I got it covered El,” Mike said, pulling his wallet out as he strode over to the counter.
That’s fine, Will didn’t want one anyways. (That’s a lie, he sort of did.)
-
Will tried not to stare at the couple sitting across from him as they sipped on their shakes. The two of them seemed to never run out of things to talk to. Just like how Will and Mike used to be…
And if the day couldn’t get any worse, he was greeted with one of his least favorite people. Angela.
He watched as El uncomfortably shifted when Angela started talking to Mike. And he watched as Mike obliviously smiled along. Jesus, Will cannot stand this girl.
He finally broke his silence, though, when he noticed Angela trying to pull El away. That cannot end well.
“Hey, can you just leave her alone?” Will asked, standing up and grabbing El’s other arm. He might be in a bad mood, but he’s still El’s brother.
He watched El’s expression turn alarmed, and then embarrassed when she noticed Mike’s confused expression from where he was sitting at the booth.
“It is ok Will, I will go with them.” His sister said, staring at him with almost pleading eyes. Why would El want to go with her bully?
Will reluctantly let go, and let Angela drag his sister into the rink. By this point Mike had stood up as well, standing next to Will. And he finally uttered the first words to Will all day.
“What was all that about?” He asked, and Will is almost surprised he hasn’t realized Angela was her bully. But if he was El, would he have told Mike? Probably not.
Will shook his head in reply, and hurried to follow after his sister. He wouldn’t let anything bad happen to her today.
As he walked towards the rink, he realized he was too late. There El was, in the dead center with girls pointing and laughing at her. How could they be so evil?
“What’s going on Will, why are they doing that to her?” Mike asked, his voice indicating his panic.
“Look, El hasn’t been telling you the truth, Mike.” He said, trying to think of what he should do.
“What do you mean, Will,” Mike started, and Jesus was he getting on Will’s nerves.
“She’s getting bullied! Angela is her bully and I just let her walk off with El.” Will was frustrated and scared. That’s his sister.
When Will saw one of the douchebags approach El with a milkshake, something in him seemed to snap. There was no way they were going to humiliate his sister like that. No way.
Leaving Mike in the dust, he strode onto the rink. Ignoring the workers yelling at him for not having his skates on. He couldn’t care less. He watched as El tried to crumble into herself, tears streaming down her face.
He almost made it in time. But he was just seconds late. Now El had slipped onto the rink, covered in the Milkshake Mike had bought for her.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Wills’ voice surprised even himself, it echoed throughout the entire rink. He was fuming.
He ran over to El as soon as she was splashed, and he leaned down to help her stand up. He couldn’t even look at her face. She didn’t deserve this. He helped her onto her feet and walked right up to Angela, who seemed to think this whole ordeal was just hilarious.
“Oh, would you look at that!” Angela started, glancing at all of her giggling friends. “We’ve angered freak-show twin number two!” She all but cackled, earning a hoot of laughter from the group surrounding them.
Usually, Will would have tried to be calm. Not to yell and to try to deal with the situation in the most logical and calm way possible. But with his already fired up emotions, this was his last straw.
“Who would’ve thought a fag like you would-”
A glass shattering slap echoed throughout the rink.
It was almost like time froze for a moment, and Will himself didn’t even realize what happened for a couple of seconds. Will had back-handed the shit out of Angela.
Angela had immediately fallen to the ground, cupping her cheek and sobbing. It took a good ten seconds for everyone to kick into action again. He backed away to grab El, and led her straight to the exit. Mike had been watching from the Dj stand, and oh Will hadn't even realized the music was turned off. He didn’t spare a glance behind him where Angela was crying and her friends were consoling her.
They needed to get out of there quickly, that’s all Will knew. He had just slapped a girl with basically all he had in him, and he assumes most people wouldn’t take that well.
El was clinging onto his shirt like he was her lifeline, silently crying as they made their way outside.
“Will, you did not have to do that.” She said, her voice shaky and cracking.
“I know.” was all he said in reply, and apparently that was all she needed. Because as soon as the pair made it outside she pulled him into a bone crushing hug, sobbing into his chest.
Will lowered the two of them onto the curb, letting his sister finally let out her sorrows. She needed this. And he will be here for her no matter what.
He noticed the door behind him open, and Mike came running out. Will never thought he’d think this, but Mike is the last thing he needs right now.
“El! Are-are you ok? What was all that?” he asked, sounding out of breath. Will realized he had probably been looking for the pair.
“Listen-let's talk about it when we get home ok? It’s almost 6:00, Jonathan will be here any minute.” Will spoke, his voice surprisingly shaky. He hadn’t even realized he’s been crying too.
“Right, yeah, ok.” Mike said, sitting next to Will with a huff.
Will only knows one thing for sure, and it’s that this is going to be a long spring break.