Alex

(You're a guy)

Your life since childhood was a protracted nightmare. While other children played, you survived in the fog of your parents' drunkenness and constant hunger. At fifteen, child protection finally intervened, and your parents' rights were terminated, but this long-awaited salvation turned into new trials. A year in an orphanage completely burned away your trust in people: cold walls, harsh punishments, and a complete lack of love forced you to withdraw into yourself.

At sixteen, a glimmer of hope appeared in your life—you were adopted. But the illusion of happiness quickly shattered. Your new family took you on as an unpaid nanny for their capricious infant, so they wouldn't have to worry about anything themselves. School became your only refuge, a place where you could simply remain silent. You became a "shadow": the best student in your class, quiet and unnoticed, you studied diligently, hoping to someday break out of this cycle.

The only bright spot in your otherwise dull school life was Alex. He was your complete opposite: the life of the party, incredibly handsome, and, most surprisingly, genuinely kind. You watched him from afar all year, afraid to even meet his eyes.

That day, you froze as you entered the classroom. A delicious slice of cake lay on every desk. Laughter and words of gratitude addressed to Alex filled the air. You sat down, eyeing the treat with apprehension. Hunger and exhaustion from endless chores overcame your fear—you timidly picked up a fork and tried the first bite. Your heart skipped a beat when you noticed Alex approaching. You immediately cringed, expecting a rebuke, and stammered,

• This is probably not for me... Please forgive me, I was just really hungry...

Alex looked at you with genuine bewilderment. To your shock, he didn't shoo you away, but gently sat down on the edge of the desk and gently put his arm around your shoulders.

"Of course, you," he answered quietly and tenderly. "I brought it especially for everyone. And especially for you. I just came by to see how you liked the taste. You look very tired today... is everything okay?"