Page 51 of Black Hollow: Awakening

“Danny?”

“Yeah, Danny.”

“Why?”

“Because he thinks I’m jealous of him,” Will stated bitterly, swallowing hard. “And I’m just worried. But I can’t tell him why, because it’s a huge secret. And the people I have around me now are just unbearable.” Oscar shifted uncomfortably. “Not you,” Will assured him immediately, realizing how that sounded. “The others. They’re driving me crazy. I feel like I’m from another planet. I wish I could turn back time, because if I could, I’d do everything completely differently. Actually, the worst part is I don’t even know what exactly I’d change, because I feel like I have no influence over my life. I’m not participating in anything, I’m not in control of anything, things just happen, and I…”

Oscar rose slightly and, leaning across the table, pressed a lingering kiss to Will’s lips. Will felt himself turn red. When their lips parted, he cleared his throat quietly, partly pleased, partly embarrassed.

“I guess that’s the most effective way to stop someone from whining,” he finally quipped.

Oscar chuckled.

“Really?”

“I don’t know. We’ll have to test it again.”

Oscar smiled playfully.

“I’d be happy to,” he announced, before kissing Will again.

Will eagerly took part in this experiment.

December 20 | Friday

The holiday break had arrived, and its biggest perk was that Will didn’t have to endure Blake’s scathing looks. He also had more time for Oscar, whom he’d been seeing a lot of lately. They texted a lot, too, and somehow they never ran out of things to talk about. It was a shame Will hadn’t come to the incredible realization sooner that to get close to someone, you had to open up, be honest, and act natural. Shocking! Of course, he was already waiting for the moment when that realization would come back to bite him in the ass, when Oscar would notice that electricity started mysteriously acting up in Will’s presence and he’d have to smile and play dumb.

Although, there was a chance it wouldn’t come to that. He’d been more in control of himself lately. Okay, that was an exaggeration. He wasn’t really in control at all, since he still hadn’t managed to use his abilities intentionally, but those uncontrolled surges of energy were happening much less often. That had to be a good sign.

Unfortunately, any positives were overshadowed by the situation with Dan. They barely spoke to each other, and when they did, they either exchanged a few necessary sentences about household matters or started arguing. Will didn’t want to share Blake’s paranoia, but he was getting more and more worried. What if Danny really did start reporting to KC, and not because he was being manipulated, but of his own free will?

First thing in the morning, he went into the kitchen to make breakfast. Dan was there, too. He was humming happily under his breath, frying something in a pan.

“Hey, Will,” he said unexpectedly. Will froze, staring at his friend in shock. “I can save you half of the scrambled eggs.”

“No, thanks,” Will replied guardedly, starting to make himself some sandwiches.

Will glanced at Dan, who looked different. He had shaved, styled his hair, and smelled like someone who had spent far too much time in the bathtub. Danny seemed to be in an excellent mood.

Had he really stopped being mad, or was this just an act, an attempt to get close to Will again only to use it against him later? Will was seriously starting to get paranoid. He would never have thought something like that about Dan before, but under the current circumstances, he was expecting anything.

“Why are you so happy?” he finally asked suspiciously.

“I have a date,” Danny informed him, smiling broadly.

Will felt a sense of relief.

“That’s great,” he answered honestly.

“Mhm,” Dan hummed cheerfully.

“With who?”

“I’m not telling.”

“What?” Will snorted.

“Even if I did, you wouldn’t believe me anyway.”