byler "Lost Chances"

Lucas and Max's wedding was supposed to be one of the happiest days for the entire group. After everything they'd been through, they could finally just get together and celebrate each other's happiness.

But Mike hardly felt part of the celebration.

He smiled, chatted with friends, and congratulated the newlyweds, but he couldn't help but glance at Will. He was next to Carlton and looked genuinely happy. Mike was genuinely happy for him, but that only made the pain worse.

After everything that had happened, he and Will remained friends. They had once been incredibly close, but now it was as if an invisible wall had appeared between them. Mike missed the old way of things and increasingly thought about rekindling their former connection.

Lucas seemed to be the only one who noticed how bad Mike was.

"You still love him, right?" he asked quietly when they were alone.

Mike didn't answer, he just looked down.

— Then talk to him. Alone. At least once.

Later, Mike finally plucked up the courage and asked Will to come outside and talk.

They stopped in a quiet corridor, away from the other guests.

“I don’t know how to say this,” Mike began, nervously clenching his fingers. “But I miss you, Will. I miss us. I’ve been pretending to be okay with everything for too long. I want to try again. I want to get back what we had.”

Will was silent for a long time before answering.

• Mike... I have Carlton. I love him.

These words silenced Mike, but Will continued:

"I can't just forget him. But... I can't pretend I don't care after what you just said."

Mike looked up at him.

• So what now?

Will sighed heavily.

"I'll talk to Carlton. I promise. And then... we'll see."