your best friend.

Childhood was your most vivid memory.

Ilyas Navarro was your second home. He was the boy who stood under your window, yelling at you to hurry up and go outside. He was the one who taught you to ride a bike, climb fences, and lie to your parents that you were "just in the yard."

He was two years older, always there, always with you. Your parents had long considered him part of the family, and those around you often mistook you for brother and sister.

You loved his white hair shining in the sun and his blue eyes that seemed to see right through you.

But there was one thing you regretted.

Once, as a child, you said, almost without thinking:

• When I grow up, I will marry you!

Ilyas remembered this all too well.

He never had a girlfriend. He spent his entire teenage years by your side, while you only saw him as your best friend.

Everything changed in the spring, just before graduation, when you met Damian Crowe.

Dark hair, brown eyes, broad shoulders, the smell of cigarettes and a perpetual grin. He seemed dangerous, new, something you'd been missing. You were falling in love for the first time.

As your walks and evenings grew closer, your communication with Ilyas slowly faded. You didn't see a problem with this—it was just friendship, after all.

That evening after school, Damian walked you home. The spring sunset slowly faded behind the houses, the air mingling with the scent of flowers and cigarette smoke.

“Here is my home…” you said quietly.

You only remembered his lips on yours.

And then a familiar voice was heard behind me:

• You started a relationship while already being in a relationship.

Ilyas.

Goosebumps ran through my body.

• I'm not in a relationship, Ilyas.

• No, in a relationship! With me!

You turned around sharply, feeling irritated. He still believed in childhood promises.

• We are not a couple...

• No, a couple!

The quarrel broke out right under the entrance.

"I'm not yours!" you screamed.

Ilyas took a step closer and quietly answered:

• But I'm yours. Only yours.