But You Love Her (Alexheed)

Chapter 20

2 minutes left.

Alex feverishly pressed the upload button, and began to search through his files. Why didn't he label the portfolio?

"There! Under recents," Aaron pointed. Both of them were at the edge of their seat. Waiting for the media to upload was agonizing.

One more minute left.

Alex skimmed over the guidelines and directions, quickly put in his information and school ID. Until...

"Aaron, what's our ZIP code??"

"How do you not--"

"I always forget if it ends with a 0 or an 8!"

"0 Alex! 20830!"

Alex punched in the numbers and hit submit. Both Aaron and Alex sank back into their chairs just as the time hit 7 AM, the deadline.

"Alex, why do you always have to submit things at the last minute?" Aaron groaned. "I was stressed just watching you."

Alex laughed, relieved. "Time is a perfectionist's worst enemy, Aaron." He rubbed his face. "Now we just have to wait."

"Yeah well waiting will have to come later. We got school,' Aaron said, pulling Alex up. The twins quickly got ready and walked to school. Of course, Aaron immediately parted ways once they reached the school grounds to the robotics wing. He recently joined the robotics team after incessant persuasion on Alex's part. Sure, he wasn't much on the social side but it was nice to see his brother adjusting back to life here.

For the most part, things have been going smoothly. His council had overflooded their funding goals for prom, he got the scholarship in (whether he won it-- that's a separate matter), and things are no longer awkward. Actually, the last one was a lie. He still couldn't communicate straight with Samheed without feeling a little bit awkward. But at least their relationship was all straightened out. He could just be friends. Yeah, he's okay being friends.

The bell had already rang and students began filing inside the school. An arm on his shoulder brought him out of his thoughts.

"Alex!" said a silent whisper. Meghan quickly came to his side. "Major crises."

"What?" Alex whispered back.

Meghan tilted her head. "Samheed didn't tell you? Actually," she paused. "come to think of it, I haven't seen him yet,"

"There's no way Samheed would miss school today. The musical's final rehearsal is today."

"Well I'm not really surprised," Meghan said, engrossed in her thoughts. "I'm still so shocked."

"That he's absent?"

"No!" Meghan folded her arms. "Lani and Samheed broke up, Alex."

Alex's jaw hung.

"What?" Did he hear that right?

"I know! I don't believe it either." They stopped at Alex's locker. "Lani wouldn't exactly tell me why. I thought you would know something I didn't but clearly you're in the dark."

Alex blinked. Meghan continued to talk, but the words just blended in the background. There was absolutely no indication between Samheed and Lani that they felt like breaking up. Who broke it off? Was it mutual? Why? Alex shook his head, as he began unpacking at his locker. He felt guilty for wanting to know more.

Alex got through the school day and lunch was slightly awkward. Lani definitely was driving the conversation, acting as if nothing happened. She droned about some english passion project she was working on, but he and Meghan could both tell she was just trying to keep up the mood. Alex had to say something.