Just walking down the hallway of the highschool, Alex overhears Tony talking to a friend “Yes next semester I think gonna be taking Ancient […]”
HE IS OUT OF EAR-SHOT
Wait! What class are you thinking of?
F#ck- what class here is about ancient stuff?
In my brain, I scream “COME BACK, TONY! What class are you considering?! I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN YOUR LIFE!”
Ugh… why can’t I catch him alone
So we can talk like we used to?
I miss my friend…
and yet he was five feet away from me seconds ago!
UGH - WHY does he have to have a girlfriend?! (And why is he only getting more and more handsome?)
Now if I talk to Tony, people might think I’m flirting when all I honestly want is to say hi to my childhood friend!
… actually, Tony wouldn’t think that. He’d set it straight…
Or would he?
It’s been so long.
Maybe he’s not who I remember…
Maybe he’s not still that brave, considerate ray of sunshine I remember, who always wants to make sure he says what he means, and nobody feels excluded or left behind…
Maybe he’s changed.
Maybe he gropes women’s butts and laughs about it with his friends now.
No, he’d never fall that low.
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Maybe Tony has become even MORE brave, and more charming.
Maybe his kindness will reach more people than ever.
Maybe he’s finally overcome his fears and told his parents he doesn’t want to follow in their footsteps and he’s pursuing his own goals- living his best life.
And…
maybe he’s still scared, like he once told me he was?
Maybe he still gets anxious that people find him annoying (which I find hard to imagine)
And maybe Tony still worries that people secretly don’t like him for him.
That his talents or high-end social life are all he’s good for.
Maybe nobody is there to hold the tender, quiet, unsure side of him that he had shown me.
… nah.
He doesn’t need me.
Never did. (How silly can I get?)
He’s in highschool now!
He’s got all his buddies- surely he’s happier with these people.
And he has a girlfriend.
A beautiful shining girlfriend. (I’ve seen pictures online, she really is the envy of any TikTok girl)
I’m sure Tony told her all the hidden parts of his heart, and she’s caring for that piece of him better than I could ever dream.
I’m sure they are lucky to have each other.
I pray for their happiness…
Even if I kind of envy her.
< < < <
(A few moments ago, Tony POV)
I’m so f#cking bored…
Mark is a nice guy but we may as well be talking about the weather or something.
Whatever class I take is nothing impressive- especially when it’s a matter of what credits will look best on a transcript.
Alex?
There she is.
And her cool rolling backpack.
And all those colorful keychains she put on even though it seems she just got that.
It suits her.
As usual, Alex is just looking down as she passes.
I wonder if she’ll ever realize I’m here?
Any time Alex passes me, she just rushes past, not looking up from whatever notebook she’s carrying to her next class.
I wonder what she’s doing right now?
And I really wonder how has she not noticed we ended up at the same highschool?
Surely if she saw, she’d wave and say hi, you know?
I’d say we were pretty close! Or…
Maybe she doesn’t remember.
She’s probably met lots of other people since I changed schools.
I wish she would pass me when I’m alone.
Then I could stop her and catch up for old times sake.
Mark catches my attention. “Tony, are you listening to me?”
I smile politely, but even I can tell it doesn’t reach my eyes. “Yeah- sorry. Just a lot on my mind, you know?”
Mark almost seems energized by my response. “See? That’s what I was saying! All the homework classes give is just dumb. I wish […]”
Mark’s voice fizzles in and out of my ears.
That’s right…
I’m never alone.
I’ve got all these…
“Friends”
I shouldn’t feel lonely at all.
That’s just ungrateful, you know?
(This is basically the summary of them in highschool)
I just feel the need to remind you they had no intention of disrupting the flow of things- they just REALLY wanna talk again