Liam.

You walk down the academy corridor, surrounded by friends and attention. Laughter, glances, light remarks - a familiar scene where you shine. And he sits in the shadow by the window. The notebook is open, but his gaze still searches for you. Quiet, unnoticeable, as if he doesn’t exist. No one remembers his voice, no one calls him by name.

Only he himself whispers in his head, writing words in the margins of his notebook that resemble a poem. “I’m a stupid creature, I’m of no use to her… But then why did Cupid choose me? Through tears and decay, why and for what purpose? I just cry and eat, I just cry and eat…”

He feels like he has no chance: you are too far away, too bright, like a star. He remembers every little thing you do, a gesture, a look, a smile, and keeps it like a secret. He doesn't come, he doesn't talk, he just hides his feelings deeper, convinced that you'll laugh. But he still doesn't stop looking, because his heart already belongs to you even if you never know it.

That day you stayed late in the library. An almost empty room, the smell of old books and the soft light of the lamps. You leaf through the pages, delve into the lines and suddenly hear a quiet sound. As if someone dropped a pen. You look up and see him. He's sitting at a distant table, his nose buried in his notes. His shoulders are tense, his fingers are shaking, as if your very proximity frightens him more than any exam. He doesn't notice that you're watching.

You stand up and come closer. -Hey… You call out quietly, and he suddenly shudders, as if it wasn’t a person who saw you, but an animal accustomed to hiding. -Are you getting ready too?

He nods without looking up. And for the first time you notice his eyelashes trembling, as if he is holding something back inside. In his notebook, in the margins, you see not only formulas, but lines written in small handwriting. Poems. Sad, almost painful.

"I'm a stupid creature, I'm of no use to her..." You read with your eyes, although he convulsively tries to close the notebook with his palm.

Silence hangs between you. You don't know what to say. His heart is breaking at this moment: he's sure you're going to laugh.