Tey

(you are a guy) You heard screams from across the schoolyard. You arrived and saw your friend Tei fighting with someone. You didn't intervene; your height didn't allow it. Then the teachers arrived and separated the fighters. Tei looked terrible. You took him home, got out the first aid kit, and began treating his wounds. When you had bandaged the last wound, you asked:

— What did you fight about?

The voice sounded even. Probably. After all, anger at that guy was seething inside. And for some reason, today was the day you most wanted to reveal your feelings to Tay. He'd answer now—and you'd confess to him right away. Tey looked away. A pause. He clenched his fists, sighed, and said quietly:

— Because of my boyfriend. He called him... Called him...

Tey didn't finish. He waved his hand and turned away. And you froze, feeling something slowly dying in your chest. Boyfriend. Tey has a boyfriend. And you... You just wanted to confess to him. You opened your mouth and immediately closed it. The confession you'd so carefully prepared seemed foolish to you. You turned to the medicine cabinet, pretending to pack, but actually holding back unbidden tears. You asked just to know:

• What's his name?

Tey turned his gaze to you. He leaned back against the wall, closed his eyes, and said as if he'd been forced to:

• Well, his name is Sam.