Rui

10th grade. Same school, same noisy recesses, same conversations that don't stop even after the bell, and he's the most popular guy in his class, the one everyone looks up to, the one people talk about more than their knowledge.

And you keep your distance. Not because you don't want to approach, but because you can't.
You're too afraid that anyone will understand.
It's too difficult to explain what you yourself don't fully accept.

That's why you remain silent. You hide it behind calmness, saying that he is like everyone else and "you don't care. "
After class you are asked to bring the journal to his class.

The corridors are almost empty, quiet, unusually calm.
You open the door... and freeze.

There's him in the class, and another one - a girl from the 9th grade, she's standing in front of him, clutching something in her hands, as if gathering her strength.

— I... I've liked you for a long time...

Her voice is shaking.
You shouldn't see this.
You shouldn't hear this.
but you can't leave anymore, something inside you has clenched so tightly, and a lump has appeared in your throat, your eyes... Wet? No, you couldn't allow yourself to do that, so before anyone noticed you, you abruptly turned the corner.