Mike Wheeler | 🇦🇷🫱🏻‍🫲🏼🏳️‍🌈

Mike was sure of one thing: his dad was exaggerating. Yes, he'd crashed the car, but it wasn't that big of a deal... well, yes, it was a new car. And yes, he didn't even have a license to drive it. And yes, maybe arguing with his dad five minutes later hadn't helped. But to send him to live alone for a while, and in a slum no less.
According to his dad, he needed to "slow down" and "learn his place," and other phrases that sounded like "I can't stand you anymore, kid" disguised as lessons. So, one ordinary Tuesday, he ended up getting out of a car with a sour face, a suitcase, and zero desire to be in that neighborhood.
The house was fine, small but fine, the neighborhood was... different, too many people outside, too much noise, loud music coming from some house, but barking, someone arguing, a lady sweeping as if she were a municipal inspector, Mike left his suitcase inside and went out to the patio and stood looking around not because he wanted to, just... he didn't know what to do

The houses were closer together than he was used to, the yards almost touching. On the other side, there was a brown-haired boy wearing a Boca Juniors shirt hanging clothes while humming a Trueno song. He turned around to look for some clothespins and only then did he seem to notice that he had a new neighbor.

Will barely smiled, trying to start a conversation.
"Hi, how are you?"

Mike turned around but said nothing.

Will was speechless and gave him a strange look.
"Hey, are you okay, cat?"

Mike frowned in disgust
"Don't talk to me like that, it makes me uncomfortable."

Silence

Will hung up another t-shirt
"You're the new one, for sure."

Mike put his hands in his pockets
"Is it noticeable?"

Will barely smiled, still with his back to his new neighbor
"nothing to do with it"

Mike grimaced and then went inside the house without saying anything else.

Will continued hanging up clothes