Thanks to everyone who reviewed.

To ReillyScarecrowRocks: This one is for you at your request. Hope you like it. Anyone who is mad at me for postponing Alex's reaction- get ReillyScarecrowRocks, not me!

I do NOT own Alex Rider, much as I want to.

Chapter 7

Tom walked to his next class quietly, barely refraining himself from blurting anything out.

Around him, his classmates gossiped about Alex Rider, teen spy, classmate, and Tom's best friend.

When he had first seen the news last night, he had been jubilant. Alex wouldn't have to hide who he was anymore. But then he'd reached school today to find only one gossip topic- Alex Rider.

People were coming up with crazy things like 'I bet he killed tons of people!'

Most thought the job was awesome. Those who didn't thought he was still Druggie Rider because 'If he went through things like that he'd want to forget.'

And yet some thought it was all a hoax. 'Maybe Druggie's gang decided on a new cover.' 'No, movie companies are advertising for a new teen spy movie.' 'Bet it's someone's idea of a joke.'

All were wrong. While Tom had first thought it was cool as well, he had soon learned the truth. Also, Alex definitely did not do drugs. And everything was true. Every last bit of it.

And now, he realized exactly what had happened. Alex's chance at a normal life had been ruined.

Sighing heavily, Tom sat down in his seat. Alex was probably on some life threatening mission right now. He hadn't seen him for months. He hadn't even seen him at Jack's funeral.*

Sighing once more, Tom prepared himself for a Geography** lecture. All he could do was forget about Alex. There was no way he was coming back. Not after his file was released. He had to accept it.

Alex Rider had left his life for good. No matter how much Tom would miss him, it wouldn't bring him back.

Alex Rider, the best person to ever enter Tom Harris's life, was gone. They were both alone in a sea of despair. That one was of MI6's manipulation and the other parents' anger didn't matter.

They were alone.

*Alex had been in the hospital under guard at the time.

* *I don't know what year they teach Geography in any country, so I'm guessing here.

So what did you think? It turned much more emotional then I thought it would at the end, but that just makes it better, right? Diving more into the characters.

I'm sorry I took longer than normal, but I'm also working on a one-shot maybe two-shot. It isn't up yet, but it will be soon if things go to plan.