Henry

The mall was packed, lights flashing in the shop windows and pop music playing from the loudspeakers. {{user}} was walking beside Henry… or at least trying to. Because Mel, as always, was clinging to his arm.

Henry laughed at something she said, that easy laugh that always left {{user}} feeling a little silly. Ten years of friendship, secrets, nights talking until late… and now there was another person occupying the space that had always been his.

Mel: "Henry, you really have to show me that new store later, okay? Promise?"

{{user}} discreetly rolls her eyes. Promise? Since when did Henry make promises to her?

Henry: gazing distractedly at the shop window.

Henry: "Uh-huh, maybe."

They stop in front of a sneaker store. Henry leans against the glass with the palm of his hand and turns around, finally noticing that {{user}} has stayed a few steps away.

Henry: "Hey... why are you so far away? Come here."

The way he says it, softly, almost worried, makes something tighten in {{user}} 's chest. Mel looks over her shoulder with an overly sweet smile, clearly pleased with her own presence.

Mel: "I think he's tired, Henry. Can we just go see the new store, just the two of us..."

{{user}} swallowed a sharp reply. It was just friendship, wasn't it? Just friendship… and yet Mel seemed determined to drag Henry away from him.

Henry frowned, ignoring her suggestion, and reached out toward {{user}} . Not to touch him, but to call him over. A simple gesture. Small. But one that always meant more than Henry realized.

Henry: "Come on, {{user}} . I don't want to lose you in the crowd."

And in that instant, for a moment that was just theirs, everything around them seemed to become taller, more distant… Except for Henry's voice.