SUNSHINE and DARKNESS

Forget me not

WARNING: implied/referenced self-harm, bullying, anxiety, mentions of depression, internal (and external) homophobia

Word count - 5,589

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It began with a jacket.

Will had been having a bad day. He'd gotten a B on his history test the day before, and his dad hadn't been too understanding. He'd stayed up all night studying for his biology test, and consequently, he hadn't had time to pack his lunch. And then on the way out, he'd forgotten his jacket.

It wasn't too cold outside, but Will was kind of a wimp when it came to cold. He liked warm things: hugs, cozy fireplaces, blankets. The cold just reminded him of his dad. He thought about pulling his sleeves over his hands, but he knew his dad would probably lecture him about stretching out his clothes.

"Hey," comes a voice. Will looks up, expecting to see some girl. (They were always flocking around him much to his embarrassment.) "You can borrow my jacket." The boy extends his arm, jacket in hand, towards Will.

"You'd be cold then," Will says. He doesn't even know this boy's name. "Besides, I'm not that cold."

The boy raises his eyebrows. "You have goosebumps, and I'm pretty sure that sound is your teeth chattering." Will looks sheepish. He's freezing. He's pretty sure he's going to fail this test just because he can't move his fingers to write properly. "I'm wearing a sweater, so I'll be fine."

Will takes the jacket, surprised at how well it fits. He supposes most jackets would fit a skinny sixth grader, especially one given by another skinny sixth grader. The jacket itself is soft, worn. There's a hole by the wrist, but Will doesn't mind. He can already feel his goosebumps disappearing.

"Thanks," Will says. The boy smiles.

"I'm Nico." Will likes his smile.

"Will." He wants to say more, but they have to take a test. He hopes Nico does well.

Things start to go downhill when he gets home, the jacket still around his shoulders. His dad takes one look at him and frowns. Will doesn't know what's wrong.

"You've got a perfectly nice selection of jackets, Will." Will nods, starting to explain that he left his jacket at home in his rush to make the bus. "You'll return that jacket tomorrow morning. You know I don't approve of childish games."

Will doesn't understand. (Not until he enters the ninth grade and sees girls wearing their boyfriend's jackets.) He hurries up to his room, forgetting again to take the jacket off. He almost grabs the jacket on his way to school the next day, but something stops him.

Nico just rolls his eyes when Will tells him he forgot. "You're really forgetful, aren't you?" Will just shrugs. "Keep the jacket. I've got another one anyways." Will feels bad for taking Nico's jacket, but it doesn't stop the smile from forming on his face. He wears the jacket at home (when his dad isn't around) until it smells more like him than Nico. Then he keeps wearing it because it makes him smile.
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Will stands off to the side, watching as a small group of boys crowds around Nico. Nico's got his head ducked, already anticipating what's about to happen. Will's got his fingers clenched into fists, but he doesn't do anything. He just watches. He's not supposed to interfere. That's what his dad told him.

He wants to turn away as the boys start shouting insults. Even though they're taunting Nico, calling him names, spitting at him, he feels like they're looking at him. (He wants to take Nico's hand, pull him away. Or tell the boys off, stand up for himself and Nico.) He watches as Nico turns his back on the boys, his eyes glazing over Will. His eyes don't ask for help anymore; they're blank when they meet Will's gaze. Will turns away first. He always does.