~NATE~

  I buried myself in my textbook at dinner, Alex seemed withdrawn and preoccupied, so I felt it was best to leave him alone. “Ow!” Alex startled me, pasta sauce ran down his leg as he jumped up.

“Alex? What just happened, are you okay?” I stand up to help him, but he had already walked away to clean up. Alex, being the most stubborn person I have ever encountered, didn't let me look at his leg. I did manage to get him to take an ice bath to help with the burns though. I know why he didn’t want to show me his leg, pasta sauce doesn’t look as similar to blood as one might think.

While Alex took his bath, I deliberated. He had obviously relapsed, the real questions are why, how, and what can I do to help? Seeing as he is in therapy and it seemed to be helping, something had to have happened, something bad. I know that if I push him to tell me, it will only get worse, so that’s not an option. I’ll have to wait for him to open up, in the meantime, I need to be as supportive as possible. While I was lost in thought, Alex shot out of the bathroom, quite loudly. I can’t resist teasing him, just a little, “How was your bath, Princess?”

Somehow he manages to squeak out, “Oh, screw off,” through his chattering teeth. I just laugh, at least he’s still as snarky as ever. Teasing Alex has always been fun, but his reactions have gotten more extreme in the past few years for some reason. I stand up, only just now realizing how late it’s gotten, and head to my room to change and brush my teeth.

~

I don’t know what I was thinking. I’m in Alex’s bed. Why did this seem like a good plan? Why am I so uncomfortable and nervous? I won’t be able to fall asleep tonight, that’s for sure. It’s worth it to make Alex feel better though, he’s always hated to sleep alone. I sigh gently to myself as I stare at his face, his head resting in the crook of my arm. I wish he could be this peaceful all the time.

“What’s wrong?” He mumbles, without even opening his eyes.

“Nothing, just go to sleep,” I pull him closer, just wanting to hold on to him forever. “We’re going out tomorrow, so get some rest.”

“Okay,” he turns around to face me and seems to promptly fall asleep. I didn’t think it was possible for someone to be this cute, it’s almost like Fate forced us to meet just to prove me wrong. If Fate is a real thing, I would really love to thank it for sending me an angel. I continue to stare at him, silvery strands of hair obscuring half his face, and I sigh again. I might be gay. I might be in love with my best friend.