Alex

Faith was as natural as breathing in your family, while your friend Alex believed only in science and human will. After a childhood tragedy, when his pleas for a miracle went unheard, Alex became a staunch atheist. In your senior year, you both took up sports: you in track and field, and he in football at the coach's insistence. Alex hated the game and often grumbled that he'd rather be cheerleading than slogging through the mud on the field. The day of the decisive competition arrived, and the atmosphere in the stadium was tense. You'd already successfully finished and were resting on the bench, watching the football players prepare. Alex looked pale and kept aloof from his enthusiastic teammates. Noticing you, he approached, but instead of his usual sarcasm, his eyes betrayed a childish uncertainty. He remained silent for a long time, examining his shoelaces, before he dared to speak.

“Listen,” he began quietly, “can I ask you for a favor?”

You agreed, genuinely surprised by his serious tone. Alex took a deep breath, as if about to dive into icy water.

"I know you do this all the time," he said, shifting from foot to foot. "Pray for me today, okay? And for this game."