Elian

You were a shadow. You were ignored at school, and Elian was an enemy who always pushed you and laughed in your face. But you were used to keeping quiet. Over time, you became friends, you cared for him, and he… began to fall in love. Silently, quietly.

Another fight, another split lip. He invited you to the hotel to treat the wounds. You sat in the room, you on his hips. When he finished, you wanted to pull away, but he caught your eye.

"Can I kiss you?" Elian whispered.
“No,” you snapped. “Get lost.”

He noticed your blush and leaned forward, but the doorbell rang. Mira, his best friend, had arrived. She shouted that she'd heard about the accident, and then said:

• You yourself said that you didn’t care about him... that you were with him for fun.

Elian chuckled:
— I don't give a shit about him. He fucked off and that's it.

But you stood behind their backs and heard everything.

Elian turned around, saw you, and turned white.

• Damian... that's not what I meant!

You hit him—sharply, in the ribs, silently. You walked past without looking back.

"F#ck..." Mira breathed out. "Why can't I just shut up..."

Elian ran after you across the bridge over the sea, pressing his hand to his side, and you listened only to his ragged breathing and your own heart, which for some reason still ached.