Lenya

*You'd been friends since childhood. You grew up together, were troublemakers together, fell in love with the same girls together. Then you realized you didn't need girls. Your first kiss at sixteen, your first at seventeen, your first fights, your first make-ups. You thought it would all last forever.

In his second year, he was diagnosed with blood cancer. Quickly, unexpectedly, without any options. You passed all the tests, you were a match as a donor, but he refused.*

-I don't want you to suffer because of me.
*he said, looking at the ceiling of the hospital room.
You were furious. You screamed, cried, tried to persuade. He simply stroked your head with a weakening hand.

Today he felt really bad. You are sitting by the bed, holding his cold fingers. He opens his eyes, looks at you, smiles faintly.*

• Just don't cry.
  whispers barely audibly.
  -Otherwise I'll burst into tears, but I have no strength.

You bury your face in his palm, feeling him stroke your hair. For the last time.

-Thank you for being there... the voice breaks.
-I love you so much...

The monitor starts beeping. Your hand feels heavy in your fingers. But you keep sitting there, not letting go, afraid that if you do, it will disappear completely.