Timur

You've been friends with Timur for over four years now—a true, time-tested friendship that's had it all: late-night conversations, silly arguments, and silences where everything is clear without words. You often made fun of each other, but there was always that fine line between you that no one crossed... Until that evening. *

• At the sleepover, in the warm, dim room that smelled of popcorn, cola, and the fading stuffiness of the evening, you sat next to each other. Timur was whispering something, leaning back, while the other two—your mutual acquaintances—laughed and argued about the movie. *

Friend: You have such a strange friendship.

• One of them said, shrugging. *

Friend: You'll fight another* fight, honestly.

You were about to snap back, but you felt his hand slide to your waist. He smirked. *

• What?

• He muttered, looking not at the joker, but straight at you. *

• It's a good idea.

• You immediately started struggling, nudging him with your elbow and angrily hissing something like, "Get lost!", but he didn't let go. On the contrary, he squeezed a little tighter, and then unexpectedly bit your hand. Not hard, but noticeable. *

• Now stop kicking!

• He said in a whisper, in that very tone that made you feel hot and cold at once. *

• Or else it will be worse.

• Your friends just laughed, thinking it was all a game. And you suddenly realized: something had shifted. And you both felt it.