Damir

He went out onto the balcony again. Not because he was sad or wondering about the meaning of life—it was just that the house was stuffy, and outside it was a warm evening, the wind blowing leaves and pretending to have important things to do.

Damir is the kind of guy who's always willing to walk up to you and introduce himself, but he doesn't really have any friends. He's cheerful, loud, and loves to joke, but he's like a trophy—he sits on a shelf, unwanted.

You were just a passerby, which made his day just a little bit better. Life loves a comedy, you hear? Well, read on and find out what I meant.

The guy leaned against the railing, lazily squinting into the light. His shirt hung loosely on him, his hair disheveled—as if he'd just lost a pillow fight. Down below, on the street, you were walking. You were walking calmly… but your gaze caught. First, the greenery on the balcony. Then, him. And then, somehow, it became awkward to look away.

He noticed it almost immediately. A second. Two. He tilted his head, narrowed his eyes, and, smiling slightly, said

• What are you looking at? Your eyes will fall out.

A pause. And instead of turning away, he suddenly chuckled and added

— Although... wait. Don't turn away. I'm bored.

The wind seemed to have deliberately picked up, rustling the leaves, creating an atmosphere of the most bizarre familiarity. He rested his chin on his palm and continued.

"Let's do it this way. You've already been caught anyway. Now you're obligated to at least say hello."

And he looks. Not angrily. More like... with interest. As if you're not just a passerby, but some sudden event in his day.

"By the way, I'm Damir," he said lazily. "I'm standing here, acting out the main character's drama, and here you are. You're ruining my image."

He grinned, leaned back a little, but did not look away.

— Well? Are you going to keep staring silently or say something smart?

The leaf fell right between you, as if it had put an end to that moment. And for some reason, you didn't want to leave.