I’m generally obsessed with many things, but specifically inspired by these artists and pieces of media…🫧

On a chilly October night Mike opens up to Will about his guilt over Jane. He wants to feel better about what happened. It’s been almost a year since the gate closed and everyone has started to heal. No matter how hard he tries to get back to his life, his resentment and anger remain. He feels his childhood has been ripped from him. He should be a normal teenager who’s concerned with new music, going out with his friends, his new campaign, planning his future… looking at girls… but he isn’t concerned with these things.

Will assures him it’s normal. He understands these feelings all too well… of seeing everyone around him grow up and move on while still being stuck. And while the feeling may not ever truly go away, they can pretend to be normal together. Together, they can do the mundane “teenage” things like learning to drive and reading new comics and trying beer for the first time. And if they promise each other to try, as best friends who understand each other, maybe it’ll help them feel normal.

Mike agrees. He’s willing to try if it’ll help Will too.

After a few months, Mike notices he feels the most alive with Will. His days are brighter and the trauma doesn’t seem to sting as much as it once did. And sure, he enjoys being around all his other friends, but Will is his best friend. Living isn’t as big of a burden when he’s looking into his eyes.

“Let us be seventeen…”

As I was watching it (for the first time in a few years), it slowly reminded me of the final scene where Shane and Ilya ride into the sunset and they’re smiling at each other:

and it’s Easter Sunday rn and I’m sitting in the living room surrounded by my extended family looking out the window like this