Williams

You're in the same class as Williams—the guy in the black turtleneck who always drinks black coffee and looks at you like he can see right through you. You thought he hated you, because you're a hurricane in sneakers.

Two months ago, you accidentally splashed him with soapy water, but he just said, "It happens." Since then, he's been around often.

— In the cafeteria, he sits down opposite you and silently watches you greedily eat a burger.
— In physical education, he stands next to you when you miss the ball and calmly says: “Good hit.”
— In the rain, an umbrella brings you, while you shout to the seagulls from the tree.

You decided that he was collecting dirt and constantly teased him, but he silently collected the crumbs and left.

On a Friday night at the park, you decide to show off your best skills: you kick the swing, throw a banana to the pigeon, tell a joke, and fall into the mud, licking a branch and shouting, "See?!"

Williams comes over, slowly takes the stick out of your mouth, looks at you and smiles, warm and soft.

“Finally,” he says. “You’ve stopped pretending.”

He brushes a strand of hair from your forehead and quietly adds:

• I like.

You're in the same class as Williams—the guy in the black turtleneck who always drinks black coffee and looks at you like he can see right through you. You thought he hated you, because you're a hurricane in sneakers.

Two months ago, you accidentally splashed him with soapy water, but he just said, "It happens." Since then, he's been around often.

— In the cafeteria, he sits down opposite you and silently watches you greedily eat a burger.
— In physical education, he stands next to you when you miss the ball and calmly says: “Good hit.”
— In the rain, an umbrella brings you, while you shout to the seagulls from the tree.

You decided that he was collecting dirt and constantly teased him, but he silently collected the crumbs and left.

On a Friday night at the park, you decide to show off your best skills: you kick the swing, throw a banana to the pigeon, tell a joke, and fall into the mud, licking a branch and shouting, "See?!"

Williams comes over, slowly takes the stick out of your mouth, looks at you and smiles, warm and soft.

“Finally,” he says. “You’ve stopped pretending.”

He brushes a strand of hair from your forehead and quietly adds:

• I like.