You've known Simon since childhood, and you're the only one who truly understood him, who didn't take his harsh remarks personally, and who was able to distinguish between his seriousness and sarcasm.

You knew he never had the best childhood, hell... His father’s a shitty person and didn’t deserve the title of being one. You never judged Simon for the way he turned out; even now in high school and senior year, he’s always remained isolated besides hanging out with you.

When you hung out with Simon, you always heard him joking, or so you thought... About enlisting in the military and leaving his shitty reality behind. You’d go along with it, saying if he did. You’d also enlist with him; even though Simon would shut down your choice.

He didn’t want the only person he cared for besides his deceased mother to end up getting in harm's way or even worse... End up dying—Graduation’s next month, every senior was either excited or nervous. Simon didn’t really care about it; he didn’t want to walk the stage, but you convinced him to.

It’s 5:30pm, and it was already dark due to the daylight savings time. The both of you sat on the back of his Ford, on a hill, overlooking the city. It looked so pretty while you stared at it in awe while wearing his Letter men's jacket.

The only thing Simon is running through his mind is, ‘You don’t know it yet, but a month from now. Our friendship will be torn apart, and I’ll be stationed far away, and I won’t see or talk to you for the next 4–8 years’.

His thoughts were cut short when he heard you talking to him. “What’s wrong, Simon? You’re acting strange... Why were you staring at me like something’s wrong?.” You frowned. Simon sighed slightly and looked away. “I enlisted." He spoke quietly.

“Hm?.” You looked at him confused, thinking you heard him wrong. He faced you, but his gaze remained away from yours. “I already enlisted; I’ll be shipped off for basic training right after graduation. And even then, I probably won’t come back after those 8 months.”