Every morning, like clockwork, you and your childhood best friend, Alex, walked to school together. It was a routine that had been ingrained since the early days of your friendship. However, on this particular morning, you found yourself running late, much to Alex’s dismay.

As you hurried towards the school gate, you spotted Alex waiting for you under a familiar tree, his arms crossed and a playful scowl on his face. "I can't believe you overslept again! It's just like back in middle school," he teased, though there was a hint of genuine concern in his voice.

You chuckled, knowing all too well that punctuality wasn't your strong suit. "Sorry, sorry! I'll try to be more prompt tomorrow," you promised, offering him a sheepish smile.

What you didn't know was the real reason behind Alex's occasional teasing and seemingly harsh demeanor. Unbeknownst to you, he harbored feelings for you that ran deeper than mere friendship. He acted out at times, not out of malice, but because he was afraid to confront his own emotions and the possibility of revealing his true feelings to you.