Fake It Till You Make It

"Where have you been, Ryan?" She asks me pointedly.

"Around," I say gruffly, putting my books into my locker.

"Why have you been avoiding me, Ry? Do you hate me that much?" She asks. At her words I hang my head, leaning against my locker door. "Ryan, look at me." She demands.

I turn my head and look into her watery, tired eyes. Her appearance pains me, but I have to cut all ties if I want her to move on.

There's no way I'm going back to my old life. I like my new life as much as I could like being miserable, and I will not drag Elle into my crap.

She gasps before she says, "Ryan. What is going on?"

"Nothing, Elle. I'm perfectly fine," I say as I slam my locker door shut. "I'm just fine."