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Mike had made Will cry again. His immaturity, his carelessness once again hit right where it hurt the most. And if every other time Will tried to leave as confidently as possible just to sob in his room afterward, this time something had changed. Instead of that fragile reaction, there was something else — it felt like it didn’t hurt as much anymore.
Yes, there was a tear. Just one, a farewell tear. He was letting Mike go for good. He was tired. Besides, today his makeup turned out perfect. It really did.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a ball flying past nearby and the laughter of a group of guys. Oh right — jocks. Will had seen them before, since he used to come to Lucas’s games to support his best friend, but actually interacting with his teammates? Never.
— Oh, Byers, — Andy started. — Why so gloomy? Lost another one of your demonic games, huh?
The whole team burst out laughing, except for one person.
— Or is it your buddy, what was his name… Mike? Yeah, Mike. Didn’t give you what you wanted? That why you look so miserable?
— Isn’t it obvious? — Jason added, unable to hold back.
The team exploded with laughter again — all except one player.
— You should shut up, — said, without shouting, without anger.
Chance.
Chance? Will couldn’t believe it. Now it made sense why he’d been practically burning him with his stare.
— Bro, what’s wrong with you? — Patrick didn’t understand his friend’s reaction. — Aren’t they right?
— No. Being an asshole isn’t something to be proud of.
— Say that again, — Andy snapped, starting to get angry. Not every day his own best friend talked back to him. — Do you even know him? Why are you defending him? You already in love or what?
Gosh, these jocks are so stupid, flashed through Will’s mind.
— No, — Chance replied. Then he looked straight at Will. — But that still doesn’t give you a reason to be assholes.
An awkward silence followed. Will felt something shift inside him. Not pain — no. More like surprise. He wasn’t used to being defended. Especially like this. No gain. No joke.
— Let’s go, — Andy muttered to the others. — He’s weird.
— Thank you, — Will said quietly.
— No problem, — Chance replied. — Don’t pay attention to them. Sometimes they can be complete idiots, — calm, yet confident.
— Your makeup… it looks really nice, — Chance suddenly said, nodding toward Will’s eyes.
Will blinked.
— Really?
— Yeah, — he said firmly. — Really nice.
And in that moment, Will realized: that single tear wasn’t about Mike.
It was about an ending.
And this,was about a beginning.