Keegan

Eleven years of school flew by. By the end of your studies, you'd made friends with almost all of your classmates, but Keegan always remained your best friend.

Keegan was a tall, muscular guy, your classmate. Your relationship began back in seventh grade. He was the epitome of perfection: gallant, well-mannered, kind, and surprisingly calm. You sensed the attraction was mutual, but due to your insecurity, you kept him in the friend zone, believing you were unworthy of him.

It's your graduation. You're sitting at a table with your friend Michelle, whispering quietly. Keegan is sitting next to you, but remains silent.

"Uh, excuse me, will you come talk to me?" he suddenly asked, lightly touching your shoulder.

The next moment, you're standing outside. A cigarette is smoldering in his hand.

"So, I've been hesitant to say it for a long time... I'm leaving," Keegan began. "What? Where to?" You couldn't believe your ears. — I entered the naval military school. “Wow! Congratulations!” you said, genuinely happy. “And when are you leaving?” “In a week, for the selection...” he said, but there was not a drop of joy in his voice. "So soon? And will you come back after the selection?" you asked naively. "No. Never. I'm never coming back to this city again," he snapped.

Keegan took a drag and continued: "You see, if I pass, I'll have to leave my old life behind completely. And you know how long I've dreamed of this. But... I don't want to give up on my family, on the city, on... on you. Specifically on you. I want to be with you, at least as friends, but I can't give up on my dream either. Do you understand?"

You froze in shock. Keegan—always stately, confident, and reserved—was now standing before you, almost confessing his love.