Alec didn't come to school the day after the picture was sent to everybody. Neither the next day. It wasn't just in our school, it made its way to every high schools in New Jersey. He didn't want to talk to anybody nor did he wanted to see me. It hurt me. He texted me he was fine but I didn't believe him. After the bell rang, I immediately ran out.

I hit a hard chest. I looked up to see deep green eyes.

"Hey careful here." Smiled Ethan.

"Sorry." I mumbled quickly.

I didn't add anything else and kept running without looking where I was going.

"Elena!" Yelled a voice at me.

I turned around to see Julia, Alec's sister. She had cut her hair. I haven't seen her around for a while since she got in college. I waved at her and walked slowly in her direction.

"Hi Julia. How are you?" I asked, not caring that much.

She looked different than the last time I saw her which was about six months ago. I couldn't quite say why.

"Could be better. Alec wants to see you now and he asked me to come pick you."

A warm feeling surrounded my entire body. He was feeling better. He forgot about the picture and everything was going to be fine. Everything was going to get back to normal. Elena and Alec. Alec and Elena. Right.

"Alright." I said way too cheerfully.

Julia started the car.

Minutes later we were standing right in front of the Parker's household. This was basically where I grew up in. I was here more often than in my own house. Before going in, Julia took my arm. The look on her face was extremely serious. That's what changed about her, her usually playful and funny face was completely gone.

"He is not well." She said.

I opened Alec's bedroom door silently. His usual messy room was all cleaned up and everything was meticulously ordered. He was sitting on the cold floor, his arms around his knees. I sit next to him without making a sound.

He was quiet for a while until he raised his head to look at me. I was expecting to see redness around his eyes, sign that he cried but I didn't see any.

"Pedophile, gay, daily-sucking-dicks guy, gay pornstar, monster." Alec began  to say. "This is how they call me and I pass."

I sighed loudly.

"I'm not strong enough." He added.

"Shut up, you're being so dramatic. Grow a fucking pair Alec Parker." I replied.

He laughed. There. We were almost getting it. I got my seriousness back.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I asked gently.

He shrugged.

"How can I explain something that I don't even understand myself? It's just... Messy."

I nodded. He kept going.

"You know, none of this was suppose to happen. It's just that... Every time I see him... I don't know, he's just... I don't know." His eyes were shining.

"Who is he?" I asked.

His eyes darken up.

"It doesn't matter, he doesn't want to see me anymore."

"You didn't want to see me either."

He pulled me closer to him, giving me a kiss on the forehead.

"I know, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I wasn't myself and I didn't want you to see me that way." He explained.

I straighten up.

"Seeing you how? Hurt? This is what I'm here for, dumbass. Let me be a friend."

He smiled. That smile was the only thing I loved about this world. His chocolate brown eyes looked straight up in mine. Something was different. The little sparkles were missing.

He hugged me.

"I love you." He whispered.

"Why are you so deep?" I frowned.

"Just want to let you know. I'm fine."

I didn't ask any question and got back into his warm arms.

"I love you too."

We stayed like this for hours in silence. Everything was going to be alright.

When I got back home, my cellphone biped.

From Alec: I'm fine, don't worry about me. I love you. Really Lena, I'm fine."

I've underestimated Alec so badly. He was such a good liar.
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