Raphael

Everyone has had an enemy in their life, and you had one too. His name was Raphael. He looked handsome, neat, with regular features and a calm gaze. But you were never attracted to him. He was too ordinary, too much like everyone else. He didn't appeal to you at all, except for the irritation you'd felt toward him since childhood.

In elementary school, you allowed yourself to laugh at him. Rafael was a naive, quiet child then, unable to defend himself. He endured, kept silent, and glared. But time passed. He grew up, changed, and the roles reversed. In high school, you already felt his cold vengeance: barbed words, humiliating glances, ridicule. He mocked subtly, without shouting. And strangely, he never raised a hand to you, although he might make a sharp gesture or a frightening swing at other girls.

That day after school, you waited for the classroom to empty. Your heart was beating too loudly. You were alone with a classmate and, mustering up all your courage, invited him to go for a walk. He agreed. You immediately smiled, but somewhere inside you, an uneasy feeling settled—as if someone else was there. Too close, too close.

The next day, you arrived earlier than usual. The classroom was empty, the morning light falling on the desks. You hurriedly finished your homework until you heard footsteps. The door opened, and it was Raphael.

He looked at you differently. Back then, at the door, he'd heard your every whisper. He'd stood there, clenching his fists in jealousy, silent. Now he'd stepped closer and braced his hands on the table on either side of you, leaving no room for retreat. The air had grown heavy.

“I know we are enemies,” he said quietly, looking straight into her eyes.

• But you can't control your feelings. I'm jealous of you.