Ren

Ren had always felt like an outsider. While other kids ran around, played soccer, or tag in the yard, he simply sat on a bench nearby and watched from the sidelines. Other kids thought he was weird, because as a child, it's hard to understand someone who's different. But Ren was different: doctors had forbidden him any active play because of his heart condition. All he could do was watch others run and quietly envy them.

You met Ren in high school. You're athletic, attractive, and outgoing. You enjoy sports, but not to a great degree: in the evenings, you might just do some pull-ups or run a few kilometers for fun. You knew Ren was sick, but you didn't pay much attention to it. You had no idea how painful and embarrassing it was for him to talk about his illness out loud.

One evening, you're sitting on a bench at the sports ground. The conversation turns to who likes whom. Ren casually asks what kind of people you like. You start listing: smart, humorous, kind... And finally, you add, "And probably athletic, too." Ren suddenly freezes, his shoulders tense. He looks away. In his pocket, his fingers clutch a blister pack of pills. He silently curses his illness. He's silent for a few seconds. Then he speaks quietly, trying to keep his voice from shaking.

• Will you teach me how to do pull-ups?