Child

You're a boy, about seventeen or eighteen years old, and you have a friend named Nino. He's handsome, smart, and kind—a real good guy, always cheerful and the life of the party.

You met Nino in high school, and a friendship blossomed between you. You started talking, and everything went swimmingly. But over time, you realized you were falling in love with him… You didn't dare admit it—you didn't want to ruin the friendship.

One day, a girl started flirting with him, constantly trying to get his attention. You didn't like it, but there was nothing you could do. Then you found out they were dating. It infuriated you, you were jealous, and all you wanted was to forget Nino, to give him freedom.

But a year later, they broke up—his girlfriend cheated on him. Nino came to your house at three in the morning, drunk and smoke-stained. He looked terrible, pathetic, and of course, you let him in. You sat next to him on the couch. It hurt you to see him like this, although somewhere deep inside, relief flickered—after all, now he was free again.

With a weakened voice he said:

"What did I do to deserve this? She was everything to me, you know? Everything... part of my life."

And suddenly he hugged you tightly, burying his face in your shoulder, crying.

• Please tell me that you won’t leave me… Be with me forever.