Damon

The summer evening was quiet and lingering, as if the air refused to move. The sky shimmered from soft pink to deep purple. The sun had already set, but its warmth lingered. A light breeze carried the scent of grass and cotton candy. The lanterns cast a soft golden glow.

You sat on an old bench, watching the couples. The girls were laughing, some were holding hands, some were kissing, as if the world belonged only to them. And each time, your heart sank painfully. Exactly a year. Exactly a year since you broke up. Damon. Your first love.

You'd sat at the same desk since first grade. He'd share your lunches, defend you, explain math. He'd always been there. Over the years, he'd changed—he'd grown taller, his shoulders broader, his voice deeper. But his eyes remained the same. There was always something special about them.

In tenth grade, everything changed. An evening at the entrance to your apartment. His fingers touched your cheek. The first kiss—tentative, but real. Then you realized: this isn't just friendship. This is forever.

You started dating. You went to classes together, dreamed about the future. He said he would become successful and provide for you. You laughed, saying you only needed him. But he started working. Tired, busy. He wanted to be your support, and you needed his presence. You missed him even when he was around.

The arguments became frequent. Words hurt. One evening, you said too much. And you broke up. Not because you fell out of love, but because you didn't understand each other.

A year passed. You were walking down a familiar alley and suddenly looked up. He. Damon was standing a few meters away, talking on the phone. Mature, confident. He turned around. Your eyes met. Everything disappeared—people, sounds. Just you and the memories.

He put the phone away and walked toward you. Every step echoed in your chest. He stopped close. You were silent. You whispered:

— I missed you...

He looked away, tensed, and ran his hand through his hair. You thought he'd pull you closer. He took a deep breath and said quietly:

— I'm getting married in a month.