Alec had been awake for several hours. It wasn't that he couldn't sleep. It was that he no longer wanted to. For the past month, ever since school started, he had been waking up earlier than usual. Waiting for the moment when he could see him. The one who lived across his bedroom. Nick Parker.

Their parents were best friends and bought a large piece of land where they built their homes there. Alec and Nick had been neighbors since they were born. Every single day, growing up, they would spend time with each other. And until a few years ago they were the best of friends.

The light turned on next door, and Alec sat up abruptly. He saw a shadow pass by. Nick was getting ready for school. Alec could only see his back the whole time.

"Turn around, Nick," Alec whispered. "Turn around."

He whispered it over and over again, hoping that it would come true. And then, just as he was about to see Nick's face, his cell phone went off. Alec cursed and looked at it.

Kyle: I'm here. Hurry up.

Alec looked up again, but Nick was already gone. He swore, hitting his bed before he got up. He was going to have to go to school. Try there.

When he opened the front door, he saw his best friend Kyle waiting for him in the street.

"Hey." Kyle glared at Alec. "What took you so long?"

"It's six in the morning." Alec put his bag in the basket behind Kyle's bicycle. "I was tired."

"Right." Kyle shook his head. "You ready?"

"Yeah."

Alec waited as Kyle placed his foot on the pedal. The moment he saw the gear's movement, Alec took off with Kyle following at his side. They did that almost every morning since they were ten. Kyle would meet Alec with his bicycle, and they would make their way to school together.

Running was the best feeling in the world. He loved it. He felt liberated. Like nothing could touch him. It also helped him think. Whenever it was too crowded in his head, he would go for a run.

"Why do we have to go to practice so early?" Kyle complained.

"Stop whining." Alec smiled. "The more we practice, the better we get."

"You're the only one who is excited about that."

Alec laughed and picked up the pace. Kyle cried out and started swearing as he pedaled faster to catch up.

Alec sat down at his desk, located at the back of the class in the left-hand corner. He looked towards the front. Most of his classmates were there already, except for a few. But there was one person, in particular, he was waiting to see.

"Alec!" Three girls ran towards him. "Is it true?"

"Hi, girls." Alec forced a smile as he looked up at them. "Is what true?"

"We heard you and Felicity broke up."

"Yes." Alec knew where this was going. It was the topic of conversation for the past week. "It wasn't working out, so..."

"But you guys were perfect together."

"So, I've heard." Alec sighed. "I'm sorry you guys are so heartbroken about this, but it was for the..."

Alec stopped talking as he spotted Nick entering the classroom. He kept his eyes on him, hoping that he would turn around. That they would finally make eye contact after years of not hanging out or talking. Nick stopped at his desk and slowly began to turn his head.

"Alec?" One of the girls leaned down, blocking his view. "Are you okay?"

Alec wanted to curse at her but held it in. He had missed his chance again. He took a deep breath to calm himself and leaned back.

"I'm fine."

The girls stared at each other and left him alone. Alec glanced back at Nick, but he was already sitting at his desk, his back to him.

Alec sighed and leaned his head on his desk. He was going to hate his day.