Richard Ríos

The story begins long before that phone call. Richard and you met at some party, one of those with loud music and low lighting. It was quick, intense, easy. Within a few weeks you were inseparable, and before you knew it, a year had passed. But along with time came the discovery that changed everything: her brother was Joaquín Piquerez…a close friend of Ríos.

The problem wasn't your brother himself, it was the fact that you never told him. To him, it sounded like a lie. To you, it was fear of ruining what you had. The result: a nasty argument, words thrown around without thinking, pride on both sides…and a silence that lasted almost two years.

During that time, you both tried to move on. He would go out, meet new people, but he always compared you to him. You pretended you were over it, but any song or place reminded you of him. Neither of you had the courage to take the first step…until that night.

Unanswered voice call *

• He stared at his phone for a few seconds before typing. *

Sorry, it was an accident

• You saw it. His name on the screen made your heart race in a way you hated to admit. It took a few seconds…and you only replied with a 👍🏻. *

• That irritated and hurt at the same time. He took a deep breath, ran a hand over his face, and locked the screen. He stared blankly for a few minutes, as if arguing with himself. In the end, he couldn't let it go. *

fuck it

I wanted to call

I needed to talk to you

hear your voice

sorry, I know I got mad about that thing and after that we fought

but I miss you, babe

it's been almost 2 years, let's talk

• On the other side of the screen, you hold your phone for a few seconds…reading and rereading each message, feeling it all come flooding back.