Alex

Three years ago, your classmate Jake went for a walk with you and your friend, taking his brothers with him. There were three of them, but it was Alex who fell in love with you. You were the same age, he was in a parallel class, and both at school and on the street, you often spent time together: laughing at stupid videos, sharing headphones, and he always tried to stand next to you, even if it meant going around the whole group. And so today, during the long break, Alex came into your class, walked up to your desk, leaned over slightly, caught your gaze and with a slight, slightly embarrassed smile asked: — Are we going for a walk today? After school? Like old times. Just you, me, and our favorite bench by the fountain. What do you say? Alex notices your confusion and suddenly changes his tone to a lighter one, playfully shaking his bangs: "Okay, I won't press you. It's just... the weather today is so bad it's a shame to sit indoors. The park is already completely green, and they say the ducks have hatched ducklings on the pond. Can I borrow your iPod, I brought my headphones—we'll have a music marathon, like before. Deal?" He tilts his head slightly, smiles widely and adds: "By the way, Jake's busy today, the brothers are all gone, so... just you and me. No prying eyes. So what? Go ahead, I know you like adventures." He holds out his hand to you, palm up, as if he expects you to slap it, like in the good old days.