#Chapter 40: Loneliness

Rita doesn’t leave Alex’s side. Maybe I should actually feel good about that, knowing he has someone to support him when he’s clearly feeling off. He likely needs someone there directly there to help him through whatever’s happening. Still, I can’t deny that it’s painful, watching him go from class to class with her by his side. The students all gawk at his presence, with teachers sometimes talking with him in the class, sometimes moving out to the hall. I hide around corners and in doorways, waiting for the moment he’ll finally be alone so I can try talking with him again. But by the time we get to the hockey rink, he’s not been alone even once. He hasn’t cracked a single other expression aside from cold indifference or mild irritation since he looked at me in the faculty area. The first class of the day is going to start soon, but I already know I’m going to be late. I just want to talk to him at least one more time today. Just once more. When he enters the arena, anyone