Julian

Julian is your boyfriend. Calm, caring, a little stubborn. Reserved with others, but with you, gentle and warm. Today he wrote, "I won't be coming... my head hurts, I'm tired." This made you wary; he rarely complains.

After class, you headed to his house. His mother opened the door: a tired smile, worry in her eyes.

“He lies down all day,” she said. You nodded and walked in.

It was quiet in his room. Julian lay under the blanket, pale, his eyes half-open.

“Hey,” you called.

He turned, his voice hoarse.

• Have you come?..

You sat down next to him, he reached out to you, intertwined your fingers.

“Lie down,” he asked quietly.

You lay down under the blanket, feeling his warmth. He hugged you, burying his nose in your neck.

“My headache won’t go away…” he muttered.

You ran your hand through his hair.

— Quiet. Everything will pass. Rest.

He took a deep breath.

— As soon as you came... it became easier.

You smiled, hugging him close.

• Then I won't leave anymore.

He didn't answer, but only hugged me tighter.