Heartbreak High: New Season

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"Okay," I murmured, and Dad stepped into the room, quietly closing the door behind him. He walked over and sat down on the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping slightly under his weight.

"I just wanted to check on you, make sure you were okay," he started, his voice soft but concerned. "You seemed kinda skittish during dinner, and you didn't really eat anything."

"I'm fine, Dad," I said quickly, trying to sound convincing. "I just wasn't hungry. I had a big lunch, remember?"

He didn't look convinced, his eyes searching my face for something more. "They must've been some really big burgers then."

I forced a smile. "Yeah, they were."

Dad nodded slowly, not pushing the issue but still looking like he wasn't entirely satisfied. "Okay... and otherwise, are you okay?"

I hesitated. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged, his gaze turning thoughtful. "Well, I don't know... we could talk about last Friday night, and why the neighbor's kid was arguing with another boy on my lawn, and what it had to do with you."

I looked away, my stomach twisting with unease. "Dad, I..."

He cut me off gently, "Hey, it's okay. You don't have to say anything if you're not ready. I just wanted you to know you can talk to me... about, uh..."

"Guys?" I finished for him, my voice barely above a whisper.

He smiled, a little shyly, and nodded. "Yeah, about guys."

"Okay," I said, my heart feeling a bit lighter, though the conversation still hung heavy between us.

There was a pause, both of us unsure what to say next. He patted my leg, a comforting gesture, before standing up from the bed. "Alright then," he said, heading toward the door.

"Dad?" I called after him, my voice stopping him in his tracks. He turned back to look at me, his eyes warm and patient. "Yeah, son?"

I hesitated, feeling the words stick in my throat. Finally, I forced them out. "What do you do when you make a mistake?"

Dad stopped in the doorway and turned to face me. "Uh... what kind of mistake?"

I swallowed hard, my heart picking up speed. I wasn't sure I was ready to explain everything. "Actually... nevermind," I mumbled, suddenly feeling foolish.

Dad paused, giving me a thoughtful look. "Well, I'd try talking it through," he said gently.

I looked up at him, doubt creeping in. "And if they don't listen?"

His expression softened, and he shrugged slightly. "Then make them listen."

I thought it over, chewing on my lip. After a long moment, I nodded. "Thanks, Dad."

"Anytime, son," he said with a small smile before turning and walking out of the room.

As the door clicked shut, I glanced toward the window. Tyler's room was dark now, his curtains still drawn. I sighed and pulled out my phone, opening Alec's chat. My finger hovered over the screen, memories of the past few days flooding my mind. I wasn't sure what I was doing, or if this would even help, but I had to try.

I took a deep breath, then pressed the call button.

***

After two unanswered calls, my phone finally buzzed with a response. My heart leaped as I quickly checked the message, but my chest tightened when I saw Alec's words: Stop calling.

I stared at the screen, the words blurring as my vision clouded with unshed tears. The pounding in my chest felt relentless, a painful reminder of everything that had gone wrong. I tossed the phone aside and lay back on my bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling. My heartbeat drummed in my ears, each thud echoing the hollow ache inside me, but there was nothing I could do to stop it.

The night dragged on, sleepless and suffocating. I watched the hours tick by in a daze, my thoughts spinning in endless circles. When the sun finally rose, it did little to dispel the heavy fog that had settled over me. Everything felt distant, like I was moving through a dream-or a nightmare. My body went through the motions, but I wasn't really there. I was somewhere far away, lost in the labyrinth of my own mind.

By the time I settled into my last class-chemistry-I was a hollow shell, just going through the motions. I didn't even glance at the empty seat where Alec used to sit. The void inside me was enough of a reminder. I could feel the eyes on me, the whispers swirling around, but they barely registered. I was too disconnected, too numb, too full of emotions I couldn't process-and too empty to care.

I couldn't understand how I could feel so much and yet so little at the same time. All I knew was that I was lost, adrift in a world that felt foreign and unforgiving. The minutes ticked by in a blur, and all I could do was hold on and hope that somehow, I'd find my way back.

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