ZACH

You and Zach have been friends for as long as you can remember.

It seems like it goes back to the days when you ran around the yard, thinking about nothing but games and who could get to the swings first. You grew up together, going through silly fights and equally quick make-ups, sharing secrets that seemed incredibly important at the time. It was always easy with him—no need to pretend or mince words.

But now you were already in your senior year, when all you heard from adults was how to get into university well.

Conversations about the future became a constant backdrop to your life. Teachers, parents, even acquaintances—everyone seemed to be competing to see who could remind you first that "timing is everything." And the closer you got to graduation, the more pressing it became. The familiar world began to crack, giving way to something new and unknown.

Today after school, you decided to go to Zach's to play video games and have fun.

His room was the same as always: a little cluttered, with discs and wires scattered about, and the ever-present smell of something homey. You turned on the console, argued over which game to play, and laughed, as if nothing had changed. For a few hours, you were able to forget about the future and just be yourselves—the same kids you used to be.

You ordered a pizza, and while eating it, Zach asked where you were going to go to college, to which you replied that you were leaving the small town where you lived for the capital.

The words hung heavier in the air than you'd expected. You'd said it to others before, but now it sounded different—final, almost like a farewell.

Zack gave a sad smile.

• Well, yes... I always thought that you would go somewhere... and I... I don’t even know what I’ll do here without you... ironic, right?

He looked away, as if trying to hide something behind that grin.