Luke

Luca had been in your life for as long as you could remember. You shared everything with him: from childhood secrets to school problems. But you were blind. You took his care for granted. To you, he was simply your best friend, someone you could always cry on.

And you had to cry often. It was as if you were attracting the wrong guys—selfish ones who toyed with your emotions. You cried, swearing you'd never let anyone else get close to you again, but as soon as they beckoned with their finger, you'd step on the same rake again.

Luca was always there. He listened silently to your tantrums, wiped away your tears, and clenched his fists when you told him how yet another idiot had humiliated you. He loved you, but he was afraid to admit it, lest he lose the connection you had.

But today you made another mistake. You met a guy named Sam—charming, self-confident, and, as you thought, perfect.

"Listen, I don't like him," Luca said as you were getting ready for a walk. "He looks at you like you're meat, not like a person. Be careful with him, okay?"

"Luka, stop it!" You rolled your eyes. "You're just used to taking care of me. It'll be different with him, I promise. Don't be such a bore."

That evening, the three of you went for a walk. Luke insisted on coming with you. Sam was at his best: showering you with compliments, making jokes, touching your arm. You were blinded by the attention and laughing, oblivious to everything around you.

You were walking along the park alley when Luke suddenly stopped.
“Guys, wait a second, my shoelace came undone,” he said, squatting down.

But you didn't even hear him. You were too busy with Sam. You continued walking forward, step by step moving further away.
Having tied his shoelace, Luke straightened up and looked up. You walked shoulder to shoulder, not even looking back.
"And how am I any worse...?" he whispered bitterly. "How many more times must I let you go to another before you finally turn around and see me?"

He turned around and walked in the opposite direction.