Alex's Perspective
My name's Alex. I'm sixteen, a high school student—and I didn't know it yet, but my life was about to change.
I sat up in bed and glanced out the window. The sky was painted with the soft colors of dawn—orange bleeding into lavender. It was around 5:30 a.m., time for my morning run. The air looked crisp, the kind of morning that promised a good day.
Before heading out, I shot a quick message to my girlfriend, Alice. We'd been dating for four months.
"Good morning, my love. I'm heading out for my run. I'll text you when I'm back."
I'd only recently started calling her "my love." It felt a little cringy coming out of my mouth, but she seemed to like it, so I kept doing it.
I should probably mention that we've been friends for ten years now. Our parents were best friends before we were even born. They used to joke all the time that we'd end up getting married. Guess that didn't turn out to be such a crazy idea.
I'm kinda tall—taller than most kids in my grade, at least. Slim but athletic from all the running and basketball. Black hair that always needs a cut, brown eyes that apparently look too serious all the time. I don't think of myself as anything special, but I guess I'm decent-looking. Alice says so, at least.
Every morning, my routine was the same:
Go for a run
Come home, eat a healthy breakfast
Hit the gym courts to get some shots up
Life was packed. Between playing for the basketball team and pushing for straight A's, things were tight. I had one goal in mind—get into Duke University. That's where I want to play basketball.
Why Duke? Simple. That's Alice's dream school too.
I cut my run short today—just two miles—and got home early. I checked my phone. Still no reply from Alice. Maybe she was sleeping in? No big deal—I'd see her at school later.
After breakfast, I headed to the school gym. There were only a few other students there, scattered across the court. I walked to the far end to practice by myself. I wasn't good at talking to people. Never really have been.
Honestly, if I hadn't met Alice when we were little, I doubt she'd even talk to me now. I'm awkward around new people. Quiet. The only place I feel completely comfortable is on the court. In the heat of the game, when every second matters and the adrenaline kicks in—that's when I feel alive. Especially when we win.
I don't talk much with my teammates either. I'm not rude or anything, I just keep to myself. Still, I'm the starting point guard. I guess actions really do speak louder than words.
Aside from Alice, my closest friend is Joey. He's our center—tall, looks intimidating, but deep down he's just a giant teddy bear. He doesn't show up for early practice like I do, so mornings are usually solo.
By 8:30, school was starting. I waited at the front gate for Alice. While I stood there, I found myself daydreaming about her birthday—where I could take her, what kind of surprise she'd like.
Then I heard it—a familiar voice.
"Good morniiiing!"
I turned and smiled as Alice ran up and threw her arms around me in a tight hug. She was short—like 5'4"—but full of energy. Her long black hair was still slightly messy from sleep, and her bright green eyes were the kind that lit up a room even without trying. She was beautiful. Not just pretty—stunning. And fit, too. She always took care of herself. It made sense—everything about her was magnetic.
"Good morning," I said, hugging her back. "You startled me. Sleep well?"
"Mmhmm," she nodded. "I was so tired, I needed the extra sleep."
We had the same homeroom, so we walked there together, making small talk.
"I was wondering…" I started, "would you like to have dinner with me and my parents on your birthday?"
"I should be able to," she said. "I'll let you know for sure by Wednesday."
Homeroom was routine until a new student walked in. He introduced himself as Derek—said he was from New York. The teacher pointed him to his seat, which, of course, was right next to Alice.
As soon as he sat down, I saw him glance at her. Then he turned fully and said, "Hey, I'm Derek. Nice to meet you."
Alice smiled politely. "Hi, I'm Alice."
Before I could even blink, the teacher chimed in, "Alice, why don't you show Derek around campus today? I'm sure he'd appreciate it."
"No problem, Mrs. Ortega," Alice replied, always the kind one.
After homeroom, they walked off together. I felt a little jealous, sure—but I trusted Alice. She was just being nice.
Lunchtime came, and I headed to the cafeteria, scanning the room. Joey found me first.
"Are you eating with Alice again today?" he asked.
"I think so. I'm looking for her now." I glanced to my right—and froze. There she was, walking with Derek. They sat down at a table in the back corner.
Joey followed my eyes and gave a small nod. "Wanna eat with me today, bro?" He slung an arm over my shoulder and steered me toward the lunch line.
We grabbed our trays—cheesy breadsticks with marinara today, not bad—and headed to the outdoor tables.
"So, who's that guy?" Joey asked, breaking the silence.
"New student. He's in my homeroom. Alice is giving him the grand tour, I guess."
"Ah, I see. Probably nothing," Joey said, trying to sound upbeat.
The school day ended, and I waited at our usual spot near the exit. I always gave Alice a hug before she headed home and I went to practice.
A few minutes later, she showed up, smiling brightly. We talked a bit, shared a hug and a quick kiss, and then she left.
See? I was just overthinking. I could trust her.
In the locker room, our coach walked in with news.
"Alright, listen up. We've got a new player joining the team. I know we're a few games into the season, but the athletics director recommended him. So get changed and head out—we're starting with a 5-on-5."
I stepped onto the court—and there he was.
Derek.
The coach put him on the second string as shooting guard. During the scrimmage, he went 5-for-7 from three and picked up three steals. Still, the first string won. Barely. We only beat them by five.
Practice ended, and I went straight home. Quick shower, quick dinner. Then I texted Alice:
"Wanna FaceTime before bed?"
What I didn't expect was her reply:
"Can't. On the phone with a friend right now."
I didn't think much of it at the time. Turned on the TV. I tried to relax.
But as the week went on, something felt off.
Alice started pulling away.
We still ate lunch together, but she was glued to her phone. Less affectionate. Less present.
"Who are you texting?" I asked one afternoon.
"Just a friend," she said.
"Jessica?" I asked, hopeful. Jessica was her best friend.
She didn't answer. Instead, she changed the subject. "Hey, just so you know—I can't make it to your birthday dinner. I'm going to my grandmother's that day."
"Oh," I said, eyes dropping to the floor. "That's… okay, I guess."
"What restaurant are you going to?"
"I don't know. My parents said it's a surprise."
And just like that, the conversation ended. The weekend rolled in—and I didn't hear from Alice at all.
I sent her a message on Saturday morning.
No reply.
***
Alex's Perspective
Sunday finally came, and with it, my birthday dinner. Since Alice said she couldn't make it, I invited Joey instead. He agreed last minute, and I honestly appreciated him for that more than I could say.
We pulled up to the restaurant—and it was way fancier than I expected. The pathway to the entrance was lined with soft ground lights and flowers in full bloom on both sides, the scent of lavender and jasmine drifting in the air. The kind of place that made you feel underdressed no matter what you wore.
I could already tell the food was going to be amazing.
We sat down and placed our orders. I went for an 8oz sirloin, fried shrimp, and a baked potato. Everyone else ordered similar dishes, and soon, the night was in full swing. We laughed, we joked, we talked about basketball, school—everything. For the first time in days, the cloud over my head started to lift.
Until that moment.
I was walking back from the bathroom when I saw him—a tall guy in a sleek suit, arm in arm with a girl in a fitted white one-piece dress. A couple. Nothing strange about that… except the girl was Alice.
My heart dropped straight to my stomach, and I suddenly felt hot all over, like the air had thickened.
No. It had to be someone else. I must've seen wrong.
I ducked behind the corner and peeked out again. Closer this time. Slower.
No mistake.
It was her.
Somehow, I pushed it all down, shoved it deep into my gut, and walked calmly back to the table. Fake smile in place. Pulse hammering. Breath short. I sat and nodded along to whatever conversation was happening, chewing but not tasting anything.
And then—just to twist the knife—the restaurant staff came out with a surprise birthday celebration. Singing, clapping, cheering. All eyes turned to me.
Including hers.
I saw her. Across the room, at a table with Derek.
She turned to see what the commotion was, and when our eyes met, her face went pale. Her mouth parted slightly. Her eyes glistened, filling with tears.
And all I could think was: Why? What the hell are you crying for?
Alice's Perspective
I don't know how it even started. Derek was just supposed to be another new student. I was only showing him around campus because the teacher asked me to. But something about him—he was bold, confident, funny in this effortless way. When he asked for my number, I gave it to him without thinking.
That same night, we talked for hours. He called me bold, teased me in a way Alex never really did. He was assertive, knew what he wanted—and I guess… I liked it.
Before I knew it, he invited me to the mall. "As friends," he said. But I knew better. And I still said yes.
The strangest part? I didn't think of Alex once the entire time I was with Derek. Derek made me feel seen, like I was the center of the room every time he looked at me. We talked about his family—successful, well-connected—and about his life back in New York. I didn't even realize how long we'd been out until I got home and guilt slammed into me like a wave.
Was that a date? I told myself it wasn't. I needed to believe it wasn't.
But then it kept going. A few days later, I went over to his house. He introduced me to his parents. We had dinner. Then we watched a movie in his home theater. It was during that movie… that something happened.
Something I can't take back.
Derek took something from me that night—something that was supposed to belong to Alex. And afterward, I didn't even go home. I lied to my dad and told him I stayed over at Alex's.
That morning, Derek asked me out to dinner on Sunday. And I agreed without hesitation.
Why? I don't even know. Was I bored of Alex? He never made serious moves. We kissed, sure, but he still blushed every time. He was sweet, safe… too safe. I wanted more.
I hated myself for it.
When Sunday came, Derek picked me up in a beautiful car and told me to dress up. I wore a fitted white dress and curled my hair. The restaurant was breathtaking. A flower-lined path, warm lights, rich wood doors—like something out of a movie.
And still, the first thing I thought was: I wish Alex were here.
The guilt hit harder than ever. I felt sick with it. But I couldn't say no to Derek. I let him take my hand and guide me inside. He looked amazing in his suit. And when we sat down, I fell right back into the way he looked at me. Like I mattered more than anything else.
We were halfway through dinner when the music started. The staff began a birthday song for someone nearby.
I turned, curious… and froze.
There he was.
Alex.
His eyes locked onto mine, and in that instant, everything came crashing down. Ten years of friendship, four months of love, everything.
I saw it all on his face—rage, betrayal, heartbreak. And something else… something worse.
Loneliness.
He didn't look away. Not for a second. Not during the whole song. The people around him clapped and cheered—but he just stared.
And I couldn't stop the tears. My eyes were overflowing.
Then I heard it—her voice.
"Alice… is that you?"
It was Alex's mom. She looked confused at first… then devastated. "Why are you here? With another man? Weren't you supposed to be at your grandmother's? Aren't you still dating Alex?"
Her eyes began to water. And when I saw that, mine poured harder.
I opened my mouth to explain, but nothing came out. Just choking silence.
She cut me off anyway. "Don't say anything. I don't care what you have to say. The look on that boy's face says it all."
I glanced at Derek. He was still grinning like none of this concerned him.
When I turned back, Alex and his family were walking out.
All of them—except his dad, who stayed behind to handle the bill. He looked at me one last time.
He didn't say anything.
Just gave me a look that said everything.
Disappointment.
Then he left. And I knew. It was over. All of it.