John

You were always the odd one out. Your laughter was late, your jokes fell flat. You changed schools, hoping to fit in.

John showed up at the new school. Popular, he chose you. His attention was salvation. You believed, you fell in love. He reciprocated. You finally became part of "us."

Then Lilith came. With her, the old fear returned. She was always there for John, and he, kind as he was, saw no threat.

On the day of your only walk together, you asked:

• Johnny, who are we waiting for? “Here she is,” he smiled.

You saw Lilith. The world collapsed into silence. "Is she with us?" your voice trembled. “She just asked,” he said, freeing his hand and taking a step towards her.

This step became physical pain. — Are you serious? You promised!

• Sorry, she wanted to come with us... "Not with 'us,'" you interrupted, your voice breaking into a whisper from tears. "With you. I'm the odd one out again."

You named your deepest fear. Lilith was the embodiment of all your past alienation. "Darling..." He took a step towards you. But it was too late.