Alec pushed the squeaky shopping cart begrudgingly. Now he was at that supermarket on the corner, and he was reminded of Apollo.
     A hand on Alec's shoulder nearly shocked him out of his skin. He glanced over his shoulder to see Jordie standing slightly below him. Apollo was nowhere to be seen.
     "Hello." Alec nodded to her, unsure just how much she knew of. She smiled warmly at him.
     "I've been meaning to talk to you," she shifted onto her other foot. "But I know how your mother is-"
     "And you wanted to live another day." Alec finished for her, grinning sarcastically. Jordie nodded and moved her plastic carrier onto her arm so that she could grab one of Alec's hands. Alec was surprised at her touch but didn't move away.
    "I don't know how things are between you, but Apollo is always talking about you. Whether you realize it or not, you've changed him for the better recently." Alec frowned.
    "I haven't treated him the way I should in the slightest." Jordie shook her head sadly.
    "Alec, all Apollo wants is for you to be yourself. He understands putting up protective walls better than anyone. Show him that you care, not just through your words, but through your actions, too." Alec couldn't answer. Did she really believe he was capable of fixing it?
    "I don't even know how to apologize to him." Alec saw Apollo's eyes in Jordie's. She didn't look quite as much like a kicked puppy as Apollo did, but he noticed the resemblance. Maybe that was why his mom liked her so much. Something throbbed in his chest. I can't be like her anymore.
    "Please consider what I said. He's waiting for you, I know it."
    "Apollo doesn't wet the bed, by the way."
    After returning from the supermarket, Alec spilled the groceries onto the table. His chest felt tight, and he was still processing the fact that he'd had his first real conversation with Jordie.
    He took Jordie's words into consideration, just as she'd asked. He couldn't be done yet. Alec breathed a large breath and tapped the message out.

Alec: come over please? we have to finish this project

Apollo: im finishing it and leaving ASSHOLE

      Despite everything, Alec laughed at the capital "ASSHOLE".
      Before long, Apollo was knocking at his door. When he opened the door, he let out a sigh of relief.
      "Where's the look of disgust?" Apollo asked, already placing the drawstring of his hoodie into his mouth out of nervousness.
      "You don't disgust me," Alec said honestly, causing Apollo's face to crumple with genuine embarrassment.
      "I um, I decided that I can be your friend again," Apollo's eyes darted anywhere but Alec's face. "Only until the project's finished." He added.
      "Okay. Come in." Alec's chest felt like it would explode. Apollo was in front of him again. Somewhere between the last four days, Alec had decided that Apollo had a sweet face and that each of his many imperfections had become cute. Alec resisted a sudden urge to take Apollo into his arms.
This is what it's like to be enamored with someone. The feeling was energetic and intense. Alec wished he'd known it before.
       Alec sat on his bed while Apollo stood in front of him. "I'm sorry!" Alec exclaimed. Apollo made a clicking noise in his throat.
       "Wow, well I'd hope you'd be," Apollo suddenly became suspicious. "That's not right. You're Alec. Why the fuck would you say that to me?" Alec gave him pleading eyes.
       "I am, I mean it. Promise." Apollo giggled, clapping his hand over his mouth. "What?" Apollo shook his head.
       "Nothing, it's just funny." Alec groaned.
       "What's funny? I'm really trying to apologize."
       "For all those years, when we were younger, I was the one chasing you," Apollo smiled fondly to himself. "Now look how it is."
       "Apollo, please. I want to change. I won't let you go again." Apollo looked at the bedsheets, but Alec could tell he was surprised.
       "I'll help you," he finally said, again refusing to make eye contact with Alec. "But I have definite conditions." Alec looked at him expectantly.
       "I'll do anything." Apollo laughed at him.
       "Alright then, tell your friends everything." Alec was thoroughly stunned.
       "What?"
       "What I said," Apollo shrugged. "Tell the truth. And then I want you to be yourself at school for the presentation." Alec peered at him with shocked and confused eyes.
       "Again, what?" Apollo laughed and got up from Alec's bed. He approached a pile of Alec's clothes and started digging through it. Alec's chest pangs at the feeling of comfort Apollo showed. Because he knows I won't do anything. Apollo threw a pair of jeans and a shirt at Alec.
      "Try these on. I really like those pants." Then, Apollo darted to his bag and started unzipping it frantically. Alec watched him, unable to take his eyes off Apollo's unusual behavior. There was something about seeing this boy in his room, treating it like his own, that was endearing to Alec.
      "So you want me to get naked for you and show you my nipples, huh?"
      "Oh yes, my one and only dream! Alec's pepperoni nipples!" Apollo pretended to swoon and raised his voice in pitch.
     "That's very uncalled for, dickass." Apollo only laughed at Alec, and finally pulled a ribbon out of his bag. Alec followed his figure as he approached Alec's floor-length mirror and began tying it to his hair.
     "I'll try something new, too, so you aren't alone." Alec smiled genuinely at the scrawny boy he'd come to adore and got up to try the clothes on.

....

 
       Alec sat beside Konner, trying to prepare himself. They were holding to season banquet, so the whole team would show up. It was a perfect time. Konner had his hand on Alec's shoulder like he always did when Alec was off his rocker.
      "Kon," Alec swallowed all of the spit in his mouth and begged his voice to stay steady. "I'm gonna tell them." Konner turned to him with wide eyes.
      "What?" He mouthed, glancing around the table. Then his eyes narrowed with worry. "Are you sure?" Alec nodded and stood up from his seat. His face began to tickle as nervousness coursed through his veins. His ears became deaf, and time seemed to slow. After listening to his pulse for a few seconds, he dropped his eyes to the table in front of him.
     "Guys," his voice came out loud, but awkwardly. "I love all of you." The table erupted with murmurs and laughter. He heard a distinct: "Alec, that's super gay." Alec choked on the air.
      "I know, but it's true. And that's why I have to tell you that," Alec's voice trailed into a whisper. He felt like he was in the locker room again, telling everyone about how he likes men. He'd be met with the same cold and judgmental eyes, and a permanent urge to keep his foot in his mouth for the rest of his life.
     "I have to tell you that..." He tried again, but the words wouldn't come out. He couldn't do it again. Everyone was staring at him expectantly, some even smirking. Alec closed his eyes in a feeble attempt to hide, but all he saw was Apollo. Apollo. It was for Apollo. Because Apollo wasn't like them. Because Apollo is the only person in the world who would forgive him.
       "I love Apollo." Alec braced himself for impact. Everyone seemed confused. Dennis laughed.
       "You're so funny, Alec!"
       "Who the fuck is that?"
       "Wait, you're serious?" Alec wanted to step out of his own skin and never return to it again. His grave was already deep, so he figured he should dig some more.
      "That's right. I'm dating that stoner kid."Alec's voice cracked and waned. It wasn't exactly the truth, but it was the easiest way for Alec to explain. Over the voices of the team he'd given his life for, Alec heard Dennis.
       "Come on, this fag. I can't associate with this bullcrap. I could tolerate his being gay shit, but I won't watch him make out with that kid." Dennis slammed his fist against the table and started walking away. Whispers of agreement surrounded the table, and others began walking out as well.
      "You walk out that door, I'll make sure you don't even get to step foot into tryouts next year!" Konner yelled from beside where Alec was standing. The table emptied until it was only Konner and Alec. It felt eerily familiar to when Alec was a loser, sitting against the staircase, alone. Just Konner and Alec. Alec sat down and slowly turned toward Konner. He knew his face displayed his fear and despair.
       "I'm gonna ask Cassandra to be my girlfriend." Konner blurted. To his surprise, Alec's lips turned upward into a smile.
       "Pigtails," He whispered, remembering her Instagram comments. "She's good."
       Just like the year before, Alec lost everything in minutes. This time, however, it was different. Konner was still here. And this time, he didn't feel a thing. At school, he'd take everyone by storm. Not just for Apollo but for himself.