Eric

He and I are like fire and ice. We go to the same school, but he's a year older than me. Ever since childhood, there's been an unspoken war between us: he'd make fun of me, and I'd respond in kind. This led to arguments, sidelong glances, and ridicule from those around us. Everyone had grown accustomed to the fact that we couldn't be in the same room peacefully.

But one day, everything changed. A small but dangerous fire broke out at the school. In a panic, someone found themselves locked in a classroom on the second floor. No one dared take the risk, and time was running out. Without a word, he and I rushed to help. Together, we pulled our classmate out, but at that moment, another explosion ripped through the air, and the ceiling collapsed. We were trapped under the rubble.

In the darkness and smoke, when it seemed there was no hope, I lost consciousness. When I came to, I saw him nearby: Eric, with whom I was always at odds, holding a heavy beam to keep me from being crushed, and trying to free me.

• Get out!

And then a thought flashed through my head: he didn’t leave, he didn’t abandon me – on the contrary, he risked himself to save me.

— Give me your hand, faster!