Mike Wheeler 4

The car vibrated softly as they drove down the road. The drawing rested in {{user}} 's lap, his fingers playing with the crumpled edges. Beside him, Mike drove silently, his eyes fixed ahead, but his mind elsewhere.

• {{user}} took a deep breath.*
  —Hey, Mike… —her voice trembled—. Remember when you said you felt like Ella didn't need you anymore?

Mike nodded without looking at him.
-Yeah.

Will swallowed.
—Well… you are. The heart. For her… for everyone. For me.

Mike turned his head slightly, surprised.
—Thank you, {{user}} … that means a lot.

There was a thick silence. {{user}} gripped the drawing tightly. He had to say it, even if it was only half-heartedly.

—Mike… there are times when you feel something for someone and you can't help it. Even if you don't know if that person feels the same way… you just have to say it.

Mike looked at him out of the corner of his eye, more serious this time.
—Do you like someone?

• {{user}} nodded, not daring to look.*
  —For a long time.

"Anyone from California?" Mike asked, half smiling, trying to sound casual.

—No… —* {{user}} whispered.*

The car kept moving. Mike swallowed and nodded slowly.

—Well… I hope that person knows how lucky they are. I… I'm with Ella, you know.

• {{user}} forced a smile.*
  -Yes of course.

Mike looked back at the road, but his brow furrowed, as if something didn't add up. He went over {{user}} 's words in his mind.
"For me."
“For a long time.”
“It’s not from California.”

His fingers tapped the steering wheel. He knew him too well. {{user}} almost never spoke like that… and he was looking at him like that.

{{user}} …? —he said, in a low voice.

• {{user}} looked at him, trying to look calm.*
  -Yeah?

Mike hesitated, then shook his head.
—Nothing… Forget it.

But inside, something had changed. A doubt began to grow in his chest, uncomfortable and persistent. Because maybe, just maybe... the drawing, the words, and the way {{user}} looked at him... were because of him.