Alex is waiting by my locker, first thing Monday morning. I don’t have the energy for this.
“Hey,” he says.
“Hey.” I go about my business because I can’t muster the strength to start anything further.
“I’m sorry,” he says. “I shouldn’t have been so hard on you.”
My gay little mind hears “hard on” and wants to giggle. “Don’t worry about it.”
“I know it’s a rough time for you, and I feel bad about all of what I said.”
“Really, it’s fine.”
“I want to be there for you. Whatever you need.” He pauses. “I miss you.”
“I’m right here.”
But we both know that’s not really true.