Nile

"gender of your choice" You are the most popular in school. There are always a lot of guys and girls around you, everyone wants to be near you, to be together. You are used to being in the center, and yes, you like to bully someone. Especially Neil.

He is always alone. Quiet, withdrawn, as if he is a stranger to himself. Doesn't talk to anyone. You often teased him about this - about his loneliness, about the way he constantly fusses over books, as if he doesn't live here. And he... he never answered. He didn't defend himself. He just looked. Not angrily, no. On the contrary - as if he saw something different in you.

Today everything was as usual. During recess he accidentally bumped into you. You immediately pushed him away, smiling:

• Blind? Watch where you're going.

He remained silent, as usual. And when he was leaving the classroom, you poured water from a bottle on him. Right on his head. Everyone laughed. He stood there wet, then he just walked on.

After school you were walking down the corridor. Neil is alone again, dragging a stack of books to the library, as if his life consists only of pages and silence. You saw him. You came closer and put your foot in front of him. Just like that, as if it were nothing special.

He stumbled. The books fell. He hit the floor with a dull thud on his face. You stopped. And he slowly rose on his elbows… and looked at you. He looked at you with a hint of sadness, and not as an enemy, but as a lover. It was as if you had swallowed your tongue and could not find the words.