Milo’s POV

El and I were walking to school like usual, but it wasn’t until I noticed the awkward amount of distance between us that I began thinking about how strange he had been acting recently.

It wasn't until yesterday that I had started truly noticing how strange Eli had been acting about me. When I touched him he flinched away. When I mentioned Sara he seemed angry. He was keeping his distance- closed off from me. He’d changed. Weren’t we supposed to be best friends? He was so reserved and he wouldn’t tell me anything. It took all I had to not try and convince him to tell me what was wrong. To just sit there not knowing what was up with my best friend.

We were walking to school since campus was so close to our apartment, we did it everyday. And there he was, keeping this awkward distance between us. As if he wanted to avoid touching me at all costs.

“Why are you doing that?” I finally asked.

“Doing what?”

“Walking so far away from me,” I said, rolling my eyes. How did he not notice? But he looked away and blushed so, knowing him, he was aware of what he was doing and it was definitely on purpose. “What’s up with you recently?” I said, slowing my pace and shifting closer to him as if to intimidate the answer out of him. 

Unfortunately, my least favorite person at the moment, Jason, decided to sneak up behind us. He grinned devilishly as he got up in Eli’s business and whispered something in his ear. I’m not sure which upset me more: how close he was to Eli or the fact that Eli’s face immediately fell as he grabbed me by my arm and quickly walked off, flashing Jason his middle finger. What am I thinking? Obviously the fact that he’s upsetting El.

Once Eli had apparently decided that we were far enough away from Jason he slowed his pace. I took the opportunity to ask him what he had said to him.

“Nothing don’t worry about it,” He said simply and quickly.

I stopped in my tracks, finally reaching my end. He was still latched onto my arm so the sudden stop pulled him back- forcing him to do the same. 

“What?” He asked angrily. I wasn’t sure if it was because of me or Jason but either way it didn’t help.

“You won’t tell me anything anymore!” I suddenly shouted. He looked taken aback, as if he had no idea why I would be mad. “I thought we were best friends El. What the hell happened to that? Now you’re hanging out with douchebag guys that are talking shit to you and you won’t even talk to me about it!” 

I was suddenly made aware that we were making quite a scene as Eli’s eyes darted around at the people that were now walking around our stagnant forms. “I-I’m sorry I didn’t…” he started. I broke- he looked so sad, worried, and anxious at the same time.

“I’m sorry too, I shouldn’t have shouted. Let’s go somewhere else to talk.” I said, leading him away from the crowded area. 

We finally arrived at the university we both went to and I pulled him into a clubroom that I knew would be empty since it was mid-day. 

“So?” He asked, crossing his arms.

“So uh… I don’t know what to say anymore,” I said, hesitating. I did know what to say, but the problem was… well… how exactly to say it without sounding like the biggest asshole in the world. “Look I… I don’t like Jason and I understand if you don’t want to talk about him with me but… I’d appreciate it if you stopped hanging out and doing… other stuff with him.” I said finally. 

His face shifted from annoyance to anger. Did I say something wrong? I honestly just wanted him to know how I felt and what I thought was best for him. So why did he seem so upset?

“Who I hang out with and have sex with,” he spat, making me flinch. “Is none of your business. If you’re jealous just say it, but just because you’re my friend doesn’t mean you get to dictate my life.”

“But-” I started, but he had already left the room, the thich tension that had been in the air leaving with him.

I let out a sigh. What am I supposed to do now? I wasn’t sure why he was so mad that I had shared my opinion on his toxic boy-toy. He wasn’t… in love with him was he? The thought upset me more than I thought it would, but only because I hated Jason’s guts. Either way I had no idea how I was supposed to salvage our friendship.