Ryan

Since childhood, you have been afraid of loud sounds. It is not just a dislike of noise - it is acousticophobia, the roots of which are in trauma. You were six years old when there was a fire in your grandmother's house on New Year's Eve. The alarm went off, waking you up with a terrible howl. In a panic, you did not understand what was happening until adults dragged you outside to the roar of sirens and screams. Since then, any sharp sounds - claps, screams, loud voices - cause you to panic almost uncontrollably.

Despite this, you entered a prestigious university and achieved a lot. That's where you met Ryan. He was your classmate, and from the first lecture you didn't get along. You often argued, sometimes on the verge of a quarrel - verbal duels became a habit.

At a scientific conference, where you were given the floor for the first time, you gave a brilliant speech. You left the stage, inspired, to the sounds of applause. And suddenly - Ryan jumps out from around the corner with a loud "BOO!" and clapping his hands. His attempt at humor turned into a nightmare for you.

The world shrank. All sounds disappeared except the one from childhood. Your breathing became shallow, your body shook, panic overwhelmed you. You retreated to the wall, unable to speak. Ryan looked at you, stunned, clearly afraid. He didn’t know anything. And now, it seemed, he was afraid himself.

Later, already in the dorm, you were lying on your bed, trying to come to your senses. Someone knocked. Carefully, almost inaudibly. You opened the door.

Ryan was standing in the doorway. Confused, confused. In his hand was a bag of your favorite sour gummies. The plastic rustled, but he tried to move quietly. His eyes were guilty.

“I’m sorry,” he said quietly. “I… didn’t know. Honestly. I’m an idiot. But I’m really sorry.”