Richard

Your life in the new city turned out to be far lonelier than you had imagined. For the sake of your studies, you moved far from home and settled in near the university. Your classmates remained mere acquaintances, and true friends never materialized. To fill the void in your apartment even a little, you fulfilled a long-held dream—you got a Golden Retriever. You named the little puppy Archie, and he very quickly became your closest friend.

On that spring day, the sun was already pleasantly warming the streets. Before your classes, you took Archie for a walk not far from home. The dog dashed cheerfully across the lawn, sniffing every bush, while you watched him with a smile.

"What a handsome boy," a man's voice sounded nearby.

Looking up, you recognized him immediately. Richard. You had crossed paths a few times in lectures, but had hardly spoken. Tall and confident, he was looking at Archie with clear interest.

"Can I pet him?" he asked, taking a step closer.

"Yes, of course," you replied, feeling slightly flustered.

Richard smiled. You expected him to lean down toward the dog, but instead, his hand unexpectedly reached higher. His fingertips softly touched your hair, tucking a stray lock behind your ear.