My Silent Elixir

Chapter 1:

"It ain't that bad."

Alec whispers to himself as he slowly takes a peek with his head sticking out first before entering the room. His left hand feeling the surface of the wall looking for where the light switch might be.

*Click

The room partly brightens from the rays emitted by the light above his head. He still can't make out the entirety of the room. He pauses as he puts his middle-sized carrier in the corner and walks backwards to close the door behind him. Slowly taking a few steps forward while glancing at every side making a 180ᵒ swivel with his head, he reaches the center of his new room. He stops right there, closes his eyes, takes a deep breath and asks himself,

"How long am I gonna last in here?"

It's half past four in the afternoon. Still bright outside but it feels gloomy inside his room. He only had a sandwich for lunch on his way here.

He drops his old black Jack Wolfskin rucksack on the floor, grabs his black iPhone 6 from his left jeans pocket and throws himself on the bed. He's holding his phone up with his two hands checking his inbox choosing only which messages he should open and respond to. Mom's messages, Dad's, Nate's. He chooses to open Nate's.

'Hey! Dude, you forgot to give back my headphones!'

Fuck you Nate! I'm miles and miles away from you, a place where I know no one, I travelled for hours and dead tired right now and you could only think of your headphones? What kind of best friend are you? He thinks to himself.

He and Nate have been best friends since like sperm. They grew up together in the same neighborhood going to the same elementary and middle school. Halfway through high school, they had to part ways since he was sent to another school due to his parents' decision to get a divorce. He chose to be with his mom, Martha, who moved to South Carolina leaving his father in Chicago. His family isn't that well-off, but they're not struggling either. Being an only child gave him the opportunity to get what he wanted when he wanted it.

Distance did not hinder their friendship as Nate also moved to Virginia after high school. When time permitted, they would meet halfway to travel together or just hang out. Until they both entered college and went to different schools yet again, they keep each other posted. From school stuff to relationships to having their first experience with a girl. Nothing remained a secret between the two of them.

He taps on his phone hurriedly to reply to his buddy.

'They're mine now, jerk! If you want 'em, come visit me here. You can sleep on the couch.'

*Sent

*Beep

'Seriously though, how are you holding up?'

'I'll be fine. Go get yourself a new girlfriend!'

'You, too! See you when I see you.'

End of conversation.

Alec puts the phone down and turns his body over lying flat on his stomach. He tries to stop breathing.

'Aaaaaahhhhh! Stupid Alec! You can't kill yourself just by forgetting to breathe.'

Midwood neighborhood is busy as always. Alec's room is on the sixth floor of Tower 1 of the Lyndon Apartments. His father was the one who made arrangements for his moving in. Facilities are good, almost everything is in reach. Laundry, dining and other services are available on the first floor.