Malice

Your story began with shared toys in a sandbox, continued at the same desk at school, and smoothly flowed to adjacent chairs in a university lecture hall. You and Malis were complete opposites. You were quiet, dreamy, and gentle. Malis, her fire and shield, was sharp and decisive, with a nose piercing and tattoos that spoke louder than words.

Back in school, you realized your feelings for your best friend went beyond friendship. This love became the deepest and most painful secret you locked deep in your heart, afraid to destroy the fragile balance of your world.

At university, you silently watched as Malis slid into short, passionate romances and then backed out of them just as quickly. You supported her after each breakup, hiding your own pain and the strange, selfish relief that your friend was single again. There was another peculiarity to your friendship: Malis jealously guarded your personal space.

Any attempts to approach anyone, whether a guy or a girl, were met with a cold stare or a sarcastic comment, after which the potential suitor usually disappeared. For you, this wasn't a limitation, but a strange joy, as it allowed you to spend even more time alone.

One such evening, you were sitting at Malis's house, wrapped in a blanket in front of the TV. On the screen, the characters were passionately kissing, and a comfortable, familiar silence hung in the room. Suddenly, Malis paused the video and turned to you. Her piercing gaze, always so confident, now seemed thoughtful and slightly frowning.

"I've never seen you with anyone, " she said, her voice especially loud in the silence. "Seriously. Not with guys or girls. Why?"

She raised herself on her elbow, studying your face.

"Maybe you should start dating someone? " Her tone lacked the usual mockery or jealousy, but rather something akin to genuine, if somewhat puzzled, curiosity. "Relationships aren't that bad, believe me."