Hello. It's me. Hahaha I'm not going to apologize, but I can offer thanks to those who have either
A) held out and have been patiently awaiting me to rise from the dead or,
B) forgot about this - and forgot to unsubscribe from this - story left for dead, itself.
But I have returned! Maybe not to update every weekend as I had so foolishly hoped, but more than every six months. *awkward laughter*
ALSO! I would most probably update sooner if I had someone willing to read and revise THIS trainwreck before publishing! Yes I'm looking for beta reader(s)! But I have little to no experience with this so if you're interested in that kind of thing-message me and we can work something out! Sorry for the amount of shouting in this part! But! Get! Pumped!
"So, do you come to the beach often?"
Will was trying to make conversation as he and the black-haired, sickly-pale, bruised, cut, exhausted, underfed—Will stopped the list forming in his head of all the things wrong with this Nico kid. He glanced to where the boy trudged beside him and saw him glaring intensely at the ground.
Will rolled his eyes and said, "Well, obviously not that often by how pale you are but—"
"Shut up," Nico growled.
Will looked back at him again, and saw the boys deep brown eyes glaring coldly at him. Will smirked and said, "No more silent treatment then? That's good, because it's not very nice to ignore the person who saved your butt."
Nico looked away at that and crossed his arms in front of him, huffing and shaking his head.
Will laughed at his indignation. "Ya know, for someone with so many people who care about him, I expected you to be more… outgoing."
"Well sorry I'm not all sunshine and happiness like you. But seeing as I almost drowned, I might not want to make small talk with someone who very much just invaded my personal space."
Will looked at him again and saw the other boy's cheeks were slightly pink as he continued to glare at his feet. It took him a second to realize what Nico was talking about before he laughed out loud.
Nico's eyes shot up and he scowled at the lifeguard with such heat it made Will start laughing again.
"Wow. WOW. Whoo! You are a piece of work you know that?" Will said, shaking his head at the short teen.
Nico's eyebrow rose, but his expression otherwise was the same as he said, "What?"
"You. First, you shouldn't look at the down side so much. You almost drowned-almost. Second, that little 'breach of your personal space' is what saved your life. I saved your life, and all you're concerned with is that our lips touched?" Will paused and shook his head, before continuing, "I just think that's a little funny. Do you need me to say 'no homo' to make you feel more secure in your sexuality?" Will said, a laugh in his voice but tone bluntly sarcastic.
Nico's eyes widened and then went right back to a deep scowl. His cheeks flushed as he spat back quietly, "You don't know me, don't pretend you do," with a shake of his shaggy, black head.
Will glanced back at Nico one last time, before shrugging and completely turning around and finishing the trek in silence.
When they finally reached the stout building, Will stepped to the side, holding the door open for Nico. The short male started to walk in, but paused and looked at Will through the screen window.
"Thanks," Nico said, arms wrapped tightly around himself.
"For what? Holding the door for others is just my southern hospitali-" Will started
"For everything. Like, saving me and stuff..." Nico interrupted. One last look at Will before he quickly walked inside.
Will smiled to himself. No problem, Death Boy.
Walking over to the open window that served as an information center for goers of the beach, Will rang the bell tied to the counter. "Hey Travis!" He yelled.
A lanky boy with messy brown hair sauntered up to the window and said, "What's up, Solace? Saw the kid you saved sitting in the lobby. He's sopping wet—I'm gonna guess you'll want me to clean that up—but did you come here to give me a first hand account?"
Will smiled at the Stoll brother and said, "Yes I would appreciate you cleaning that up, but I didn't come to tell you that—or the story of how I totally looked awesome saving him." Eye roll from Travis.
"But I did come to ask a few things of you. A fresh towel, new set of clothes, and could you get your brother to make a hot dog and bring it over here? Soon as you two finish doing that, you can take your breaks. Got it?"
"Solace has the munchies and is in desperate need of an outfit change... aaaand the Stolls get a break. Got it Hoss," Travis said with a smirk, an eyebrow raised in his trademark look.
As he started to walk away, Will called, "And hey! Those clothes aren't for me—maybe make them a small?"
Travis waved his hand behind him as he entered the gift shop. "Yeah, yeah."
Turning around to go in the lifeguard entrance where he had left Nico, Will smiled to himself. Time to play doctor.
Okay, so, that there was my little gift to you. I'd like to thank you again and you should see a new chapter within the next month... probably ;) Ciao~
Oh! And remember the beta-reader thing if you are interested!