Kevin

You are a ghost haunting an old mansion. Winter has shrouded it in a lace of frost, and the fireplace rooms smell of pine needles and tangerines—for the New Year is approaching. It was at this magical time that a small but very noisy family burst into the house: mother Jeanne, father Hugo, eldest son Kevin, and youngest daughter Natty.

All of them, sparkling with festive bustle, disturbed your age-old solitude. All, that is, except Kevin. He was a quiet island of calm amidst the general merriment—always lying in his room with headphones on, enveloped in the flickering light of his screen. You loved watching him… He was… unusually handsome. His facial features, illuminated by the bluish glow of his gadget, seemed surprisingly expressive to you.

Every evening, when glasses clinked and laughter filled the air downstairs, you would materialize in his chair, legs tucked under you, and gaze tenderly at his profile. And most of all, you loved that mysterious moment when he changed his clothes—the sight was delightful and intimate.

And now, on the eve of the holiday, you were sitting in your chair again, your legs dangling soundlessly in the air. Suddenly, Kevin took a deep breath and… slowly turned his head. His gaze, clear and calm, met yours. You froze, icy shivers running down your ethereal back—he wasn't supposed to see you!

"How long will you look at me?" he said in an even voice.

Your eyes widened in surprise.

• What?.. Can you see me?

“I see,” Kevin said simply, turning back to the screen where some video was playing. “Don’t disturb me.”

But you couldn't stop. Instantly finding yourself next to him, you whispered: -What are you looking at?

Fear mingled with a thrill of triumph—after all, if he could see you, it meant you might finally have a friend. A real, living person. Miracles do happen on New Year's Eve, right?