All

It was a cold mid-October. The park was empty in the evening, the streetlights dimly lit the alleys, the air smelled of dampness and the impending frost. All walked slowly, not paying attention to where he was going. His thoughts kept returning to you—to your smile, to the way you looked right through him when he tried to say something serious. How many years had passed since graduation? Three? Four? And he was still here, in this suspended state called "friendship."

He raised his head to the sky, exhaling steam. Something cold touched his cheek. Snow. The first snow of the year. Large flakes swirled in the lantern light, settling on his shoulders and eyelashes. A bitter smile touched his lips: "I thought of you and it started snowing..." What stupid irony.

Your gaze caught on a familiar silhouette by the old gazebo. You. You tried to capture yourself and the snowflakes in the frame, laughing quietly. You lowered the phone for a second, and your eyes met. Everything inside Olla stopped. He didn't move, maintaining the distance—the very one you'd so carefully cultivated all these years. The snow continued to fall, forming a white wall between you.

Oll swallowed and said dully but clearly:

"Tell me..." He paused and looked straight into your eyes. "Will you ever give me a chance? I'll do everything to make you happy with me... But I need hope. Just tell me there is hope."