Wake up

"Hey, I know you don't want to see me," he starts from the other side of the door I'm leaning against, trying to stop my tears. "I know. But Nate, we need to talk about this. Please. I'm sorry."

I take a stuttering breath, "Not now, Lex."

"I know what I said before, but I'm sorry. Natty..." his breath hitched and I heard him slide to the floor on the other side, "They're all dead, Natty. What I said before, it doesn't matter. I was just scared- you know how my dad gets."

I snort, "You think I care about that right now? Lex, our friends are dead!"

"I know! I know... and now I can't even tell you that I love you, too. It's not like you're listening. None of this is real, I'm basically talking to the air," he gave a bitter chuckle, "I let my fear of my dad get in the way and now I've lost everything important to me. Adrien, Liza, Bobby, Max. You. I don't want to lose you, Nate. Please, I can't loose you, too."

I sighed. This guy. "You... you're not gonna lose me, I just." I sniffed and rubbed my nose with my sleeve, "I just need time. And I don't want you lying. Don't tell me you love me just because you feel guilty."

He laughed again, this time with a pain that hurt even through the door, "Wake up, Natty. I've always loved you."