#Chapter 39: Back to School

It’s like the world stops. Even the murmuring nearby silences. I almost start crying immediately when I see Alex step out of the car. Blinded by the fact it’s him, I immediately walk over, ready to hug him and kiss him and… Then I take stock of what he looks like, and I pause. He looks somewhat dead, inside and out. His hair has grown a tad longer, and it’s unkempt, very unlike the usual suave curls that would push back on his head. He’s wearing a shabby white t-shirt with what looks like a hole near the collar and jeans with the knees washed out to the point they’re almost white. Although he still smells like pine, it feels weaker, strained. He looks closed off. Or maybe ‘shut down’ would be a better term. Even so, I’m really happy to see him! I don’t know what happened that he disappeared for a month, but it’s alright. I’ve already forgiven him, and I have a feeling I’ll forgive even more if he tells me what happened. I prepare to call out to him as I feel tears buildi