will was in his room wondering why he couldn't stop smiling whenever he thought of richie. he found himself mindlessly doodling and sketching him, drawing out his big chunky glasses and his charming smile, "crap." will mumbled stuffing his face in his elbow. he had only acted this way about one other person, mike. he was supposed to call mike but instead he called richie. what was wrong with him? before he could question himself further he was called for dinner. joyce had already served him, "thanks mom," he smiled weakly
"of course! how are your kid's summers?" she asked beginning to cut her food
"good! i've been hanging out with max!" el beamed
"that's wonderful, and will?" joyce smiled but it was clear her son was lost in thought, "will?"
"hm?" he snapped back
"your summer?" she chuckled
"sorry i was just thinking about-"
"your boyfriend?" el teased
"you have a boyfriend?" joyce looked covered her mouth
"um, yeah." will nervously played with his food
"that's great! who is he? mike?"
"what?! no?!" before will could answer el jumped in again
"it's richie!"
"richie?" joyce couldn't help but smile, "i told you you would fall in love."
"it's not a big deal or anything," will shrugged.
"how long have you been dating?"
"about a week now? maybe?" will sipped his water feeling very embarrassed.
"what's with you kids and the wheelers?" joyce chuckled. will excused himself and went to his room where he flopped in his bed. he checked his phone for the first time after calling richie and mike was practically blowing up his phone.
mike was sitting in his room scrolling on his phone when will called him, "what took you so long?"
"sorry, i took a nap when i got home and-"
"bullshit will, you know how loud richie is? i know you called him." mike flicked around a paperclip.
"i'm sorry mike, i thought that's what you wanted." mike sighed
"i guess, just don't end up actually liking him." will stiffened
"yeah, of course." will mumbled. the rest of the call was mike ranting about anything and will responding in hums. usually will would be totally engaged in whatever mike was spouting but right now he was drawing richie again. he was trying to get his hair right, curly but also wavy.
"you know what I mean?"
"mhm."
"will?"
"hm?"
"what are you doing?"
"um, drawing."
"let me see!" will flipped to a pretty old drawing he did of a dog and sent it to mike. mike was excited to see another of will's drawings but his face fell. he knew that drawing, will sent it to him the second he finished it, "looks good." mike mumbled
"thanks." the call was silent for a bit. only the sound of will's pencil scratching the paper made it through.
"look will, i have to go."
"oh okay, bye mike!"
"bye." he hung up and leaned back in his chair. he stared at will's contact and wondered why their conversations have gotten so dull.