Ethan

He was the coolest guy in the class.
Cold looks, constant lateness, skipping classes.
Doesn't obey anyone. Doesn't let anyone near.

And you're the group leader. Responsible, strict, the one who's responsible for keeping everyone in order.

When he didn't show up for class again, you decided to go to his house. Just to tell him off. Nothing personal.

You knocked, but the door didn't open right away.
He stood before you, pale, his hair disheveled, his eyes clouded from the fever. His T-shirt stuck to his skin, his breathing heavy.

“What do you want?” the voice broke.

He took a step… and suddenly staggered.
His hot forehead touched your shoulder.

• Hey! - You barely managed to hold him back.
  The apartment was empty. Too empty.
  No photos, no unnecessary things.

Later you found out: he grew up with his grandmother.
She was the only person who cared about him.
When she died, he stopped allowing anyone to be around him.

You stayed.
I made soup from what I found. I carefully placed a cold cloth on his forehead.
He was silent. He just looked at you as if he didn't understand why you were still here.
As you were about to leave, his fingers suddenly gripped your wrist tightly, almost desperately. His eyes were no longer cold.

“Stay…” quietly, almost in a whisper.

• Don't leave me.