Chapter Text
We sit across from each other, the silence stretching between us like an unbroken thread, both of us clearly caught in a whirlwind of emotions.
Mike’s complexion has turned pallid, and he looks as if he might crumble under the weight of the moment.
Meanwhile, I can’t help but wear a beaming grin, a surge of joy bubbling up inside me that I can’t contain or conceal.
“So…” Mike begins, his voice trailing off into uncertainty, hanging in the air like a fragile whisper.
“I really like you.” I blurt, feeling as if I’ve nothing left to lose.
“I know…” Mike replies, a shy smile creeping onto his lips that hints at something deeper, something we both have been dancing around.
He knows?
“Why didn’t you say anything?” I ask, tilting my head with genuine curiosity, feeling like an eager puppy trying to comprehend something far more complex than I can grasp.
As I sink back into the plush embrace of the sofa, I finally notice the tension coiling through my muscles, how tightly I’ve been wound up in this moment.
“Because I was scared. I’m scared of myself, Will. This isn’t normal,” Mike confesses, his fingers running nervously through his tousled hair as he stands and begins to pace like a caged animal, the turmoil evident in every step. “Do you know what my dad would do if he found out I’m into you?” He trails off, his thoughts drifting into a somber place.
“It’s okay,” I say softly, rising to my feet and stepping in behind him. With newfound courage, I gather him into my embrace, wrapping my arms around his torso in a small attempt to provide comfort. “I’ll be there for you every step of the way,” I promise, hoping my words can anchor the storm of anxiety swirling within him.
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