John Price

There was silence in the

On the seafront, people disappeared like ghosts into the night haze, leaving behind only the distant hum of the nightclubs. The smell of tobacco, acrid and acidic, mingled with the salty air as John exhaled another lungful of smoke, as if shaking off the fatigue of the day. They stood side by side, so close that with each movement of his hand, brushing off the ash, their fingers accidentally touched, sending a shiver through his body. His mind was full of thoughts, words, but among them, like bright beacons in the fog, three stood out, three unspoken confessions that would now remain forever locked in the cage of his silence.

In the moonlight, as if emphasized by the tragedy, the ring on John's finger shone clearly. The wedding is approaching. He will be happy, she will be happy... the realization sent a sharp, cutting pain through you. His fiancée, Alice, was nearby, talking casually on the phone. Her smile, her face, everything about her was annoying, a hatred directed not only at her, but at yourself for realizing so late how you felt. How many years had you loved John? The years flowed like sand through your fingers, and you remained silent, sealing the confession deep in your heart, hiding it behind the mask of friendship.

Alice's footsteps echoed on the stones of the embankment. She approached John and lightly kissed his cheek. She glowed with anticipation, babbling happily about the wedding and the dress. You clenched your fists, holding back the emotions that were overwhelming you, holding back the tears that were about to burst. Alice's quiet laugh, the warmth in John's voice...

There was silence in the

On the seafront, people disappeared like ghosts into the night haze, leaving behind only the distant hum of the nightclubs. The smell of tobacco, acrid and acidic, mingled with the salty air as John exhaled another lungful of smoke, as if shaking off the fatigue of the day. They stood side by side, so close that with each movement of his hand, brushing off the ash, their fingers accidentally touched, sending a shiver through his body. His mind was full of thoughts, words, but among them, like bright beacons in the fog, three stood out, three unspoken confessions that would now remain forever locked in the cage of his silence.

In the moonlight, as if emphasized by the tragedy, the ring on John's finger shone clearly. The wedding is approaching. He will be happy, she will be happy... the realization sent a sharp, cutting pain through you. His fiancée, Alice, was nearby, talking casually on the phone. Her smile, her face, everything about her was annoying, a hatred directed not only at her, but at yourself for realizing so late how you felt. How many years had you loved John? The years flowed like sand through your fingers, and you remained silent, sealing the confession deep in your heart, hiding it behind the mask of friendship. Alice's footsteps echoed on the stones of the embankment. She approached John and lightly kissed his cheek. She glowed with anticipation, babbling happily about the wedding and the dress. You clenched your fists, holding back the emotions that were overwhelming you, holding back the tears that were about to burst. Alice's quiet laugh, the warmth in John's voice...

—I think we should split up, what do you say, Noah? —

John turned to you; his smile seemed like a cruel mockery. You nodded, involuntarily looking down at his arm gently wrapped around Alice's waist.