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It was after graduation, and Mike invited everyone to his house to play DnD. Like we always would. By the time we got to the end of the campaign, Max with her sarcastic tone tells him "That's it? I thought you were supposed to be a master storyteller?!" Dustin, Lucas look at him scoffing at the challenge. He goes around telling everyone their futures. He tells Max and Lucas their going to run away together and settle somewhere nice. He tells Dustin he going to be the smartest bard ever. Then he turns to Me. He looks at me for a while, longer than he did with anyone else. When I think of a future for Me. I think of going to college, making art I love. With my muse, going on new adventures. But when he tells me what he thinks, I realize it was only a delusion I have to let go of. I then I asked him "What about the storyteller? What happens to him?" "He continues to write his stories. But there is one story he can never tell. The story of the mage" We all look at him, emotional and surprised. He thinks that El is alive somewhere, living peacefully "And this is just a theory?" Max said with tears in her eyes, everyone has tears "Yeah, but we have to believe, and I believe" First it was Dustin, then Lucas, and then Max, who all said, "I believe" I look to Mike who is already looking at me from across the table, and I spoke "I believe" We share a look with each other, one of the last ones we've had in a while "Guys the lasagna's ready!" Mrs. Wheeler said in the door frame of the basement "Okay mom we'll be right up!" Mike responded. Shut the door as all of us get up to put our handbooks away. First Max got up and put Hers away and went up the stairs, sobbing. It was one of the first times I've seen her like that. Usually, she's the toughest person I know. Dustin got up and did the same. So did Lucas, except he lightly tapped his on the way out. Then...It was Me. I looked at my book, feeling like I never wanted to let it go, but knew it was time. I put my handbook on the shelf, leaving my childhood...and my first love. knowing I can't get either back. I walk up the stairs, mourning what I'm leaving yet excited for the future.
After the lasagna. Lucas, Dustin, and Max had already left the wheeler house. Since I always want to help clean after hanging out, and since I don't have a ride home, I decided to stay and help Mrs. Wheeler with the dishes. I was washing a plate until Mike comes up behind me. I pretended like I didn't notice him, but I always did. He eventually grabbed a broom and started pushing dust around. I look back awkwardly. Not knowing if he was even still looking. But I look, and he is. I smile out of instinct, but he looks down, not even acknowledging it. Was I too forward? Was he uncomfortable? I look back at the dishes. Breathing through a wave of anxiousness that just appeared. "Are you still going to SCAD?" Mike asks "Yeah" I respond faintly and a little shy "Are you excited?" He asked "Of course!" I smile at him again; this time he smiles back. There was a moment. I felt it. God I'm so deluded. "Do you have any way of getting home Will? it's pretty late" Mrs. Wheeler asks me "Not really" I responded, "He can stay here" Mike said "I-I mean...I can prep my room?" He said rolling his eyes in a Mike way "Ok you guys want to do that?" Mrs. Wheeler asks. Mike looks at me. Why would I do this? things are already awkward between us, and this could make it worse. But yet...I don't have anywhere else to go. I hesitate before saying "Uh s-sure" "Ok, cool" he said while nodding his head. He goes upstairs.