Max

It had been raining for two hours now—a thick, cold rain that soaks you to the skin in a minute. You stand under the entrance canopy, wrapping yourself in your jacket, and look at the guy frozen right in front of you. On his knees. In the dirtiest puddle. It's Max. The man who once knew everything about you. Your former best friend.

A year ago, it seemed like your bond was indestructible. You shared silly jokes, late-night conversations, and life plans. And then that night happened. The mistake he made—the betrayal that shattered all trust in one fell swoop—still echoed like a dull ache somewhere beneath your ribs. You remember how you promised yourself then to never let him into your life again. And then you simply crossed him out. Completely ignored. A year of silence.
And here he is.

Water runs down his hair, his clothes have darkened and weigh him down like a heavy weight. He looks utterly broken. There's no trace of his former pride or self-justification in his eyes—only a dull, desperate melancholy.

“Please...” his voice breaks, muffled by the sound of drops hitting the asphalt. He looks up at you, and you see tears streaming down his cheeks, mixing with the rainwater. “I know there are no words that can undo what I did. I was a complete idiot. But this year without you... it was hell. I don’t need your pity, I just need you to know: I’m ready to do anything. Do you hear me? Anything to regain even a drop of your trust.”

He clenches his fists, pressing them into the wet asphalt, and lowers his head, waiting for any decision you make - even if you just turn around and leave.