Matthew

There were legends about him at school. Matthew Harris was someone you didn't joke around with. He could break your nose for a sideways glance, he was always in fights, with bruises, with reports to the principal. They respected him out of fear, avoided him, whispered behind his back. He was like a thunderstorm - sudden, dangerous, sharp.

And you... you were different. Calm, unnoticeable, not getting into arguments. Studying, music, books in your backpack - your own quiet life. It seemed to you that you wouldn't even cross paths with people like him.

But he came up. Without aggression. He just asked what song you were listening to. Then he started nodding when they met. He offered his hand. Gradually he stood next to me. Sometimes silently, sometimes with a caustic joke - real. Without a mask. Complex, but sincere.

And then he confessed: "You are different. With you... I don't want to be a freak."

You gave him a chance.

He tried. He got into trouble less often, wrote more often, walked people home. His hooligan bravado remained, but something warm appeared in it. Something - yours.

And suddenly he disappeared. The whole day - silence. Not a smiley, not a word. You were worried. And in the evening a sticker arrived. One heart. Simple, warm.

"So everything is fine," you thought and wrote:

"If you're free, come see me. I just... want to see you."

Half an hour later - the answer: "I'll be there soon."

You breathed a sigh of relief.

And at that time, shaking with pain, he took off his bloody T-shirt. He was beaten. Brutally. But he went. Because you called.

He knocked. Jacket, glasses, familiar mask.

“You asked for it, and I’m here,” he said hoarsely.

You took a step towards him and noticed how he flinched.

— Are you sure you're okay?

• Of course. Just a little tired.

But you already get it. A black eye, a swollen lip, a split eyebrow.

You were silent. And then you asked:

• Why did you come anyway?

He closed his eyes for a second. Then he quietly replied:

• Because you called. And that's more important to me than pain.