A Player's First Choice // Stenbrough

043 / Never this late

"Jesus Bill. Don't cry." I whimper into Richie's shirt as Mike walks away.

"It came back didn't it?" I nod my head slowly, gripping his shirt tightly. "What about the therapist...could she do anything about it?" I shake my head as he lets out a sigh.

"Come on. Go get dressed." He lets go of me. Mike hands me clothes, closing my door gently.

My phone starts to ring.

Stan

S: Bill. Please talk to me. You know I didn't mean it.

B: ...

S: I know you're there. Just say something...please?

B: No

I hang up quickly. Pulling my pants on and a t-shirt over my head. Collapsing onto the bed quickly.

—Richie's POV

"He should be done by now." Mike pauses the movie. "Hold on." Hopping up I open his door slowly. He sleeps soundly as his breathing hitches every couple seconds.

— Friday 6:30 am / Bill's POV

My head throbs slightly as I wake up.
"F-Fuck." I mumble grabbing clothes. "Bill? Are you going?" Richie rubs his eye as he stands shirtless against the door frame.

"Y-Yeah. I'm going." I mumble closing the door.

— 4+ text from Stan

Stan

S: I'm sorry. It was a joke
S: Richie won't even talk to me. Please just say something
S: Are you awake?
S: Call me in the morning?
S: Please?
S: I feel horrible. Night Bill

—7:00 am

"Are you sure? Why don't you stay home?" Mike grips my shoulder before we get out of the car. "I'll b-be fine."

"Bill? Hey." A girl smiles gently. I stare at her before walking away. "Okay, asshole."

It feels like everyone is staring at me. I mean they always do. It's no different I guess.

"Bill? Hey." Ben smiles gently. "Are you okay?" I nod gently. He's one of the nicest people I know bedsides, Mike.

"We can talk if you want." I shake my head gently, patting his back before walking away.

"Bill?" Eddie tilts his head gently. "Hey-" "Come on Eds. Let me show you something." Richie interrupts him. "Oh okay?"

I stare at a locker. No one stands at it.

"Yeah, he's been late but never this late." Some guy mumbles walking past me. A girl nods in agreement.

"I heard he got drunk or something."

It feels like everyone is talking about him. They probably are.