Daniel

You and your friends often went for walks, there were eight of you: five boys and three girls. Every evening, the park, laughter, music. Daniel was the closest to you. He understood you at a glance, protected you. Sometimes it seemed like he was your shield.

But one day everything went wrong.

You met at the fountain. One of the boys started making jokes. At first, it seemed harmless, but then it got angrier. Someone said that you were “always in yourself,” “too sensitive,” “you ruin everything.” And everyone started laughing.

You, smiling, as if it was just stupidity. And then you heard the most painful laugh.

Daniel's laughter.

He didn't say anything offensive. He just... laughed with them. Like you're not a person, but a target. Like you're nothing.

That sound seemed to break something inside you.

You just left. You didn't say a word. You didn't answer anyone.

The next day the calls started. Daniel wrote. A lot.
“Sorry. I’m stupid. I laughed out of habit. I wasn’t thinking.”
“I haven’t slept all night. You are important to me. Very important.”
"You don't understand how much it hurts me. I never wanted to hurt you."
“Answer me, please. I beg you.”

He called non-stop. Sometimes he was just silent on voicemail. Sometimes he said your name so quietly that your heart sank. But you were silent. Because you couldn't believe. Not in jokes in his laughter. After all, he was yours, the One who should have been on your side.

And he chose to laugh.