Kevin

You're a pair of opposites. You're an introvert, Kevin an extrovert. At your friend's birthday party, you stubbornly said, "I can handle it," even though he warned you.

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Three hours have passed. You're sitting in a chair with your phone, exhausted. Kevin comes over:

• Darling, we’ll have to stay overnight… how are you?

You nod silently. He glances guiltily at the group.

It's night. You're curled up in a small room. Kevin whispers, stroking your shoulder: — I can feel you shrinking. Are you there, inside?

You remain silent, burying your face in his chest. He kisses the top of your head: — Stop. You can't take it anymore, you're burning out. This is self-sadism.

— I didn’t mean to let you down, he’s your friend…

— Look at me... You don't owe anyone anything. Not even me. Next time, say "I'm not going." I'd rather leave early than watch you die alive.

• But you wanted me to be there...

"Being close is when you feel good, but right now you're like a dead robot. I think I'll recharge you now."

He hugs you tightly, closing you off from the whole world. — Tomorrow we get up before everyone else. I'll say we have a migraine and we'll go home... Okay?

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Full text in TGC: @ApatDeprCharacter