Victor

Viktor loved you. Truly, deeply—the way only those who fear loneliness know how to love. He remembered your laughter, your eyes, your hands. He remembered how you met, how you looked at him that first evening when he spilled coffee on you and blushed to the tips of his ears. You told him it was fate, and he believed it.

Today, he was walking toward you with chocolate—milk chocolate, your favorite. He remembered every little detail: your scent, your voice, your smile that made everything inside him flip. In his pocket lay a small box—a token of affection that was meant to tell you how much he needed you. Viktor didn't know how to speak about his feelings loudly, but he knew how to show them through his actions.

He decided to surprise you—to come without warning, to meet you after classes. He wanted to see the surprised look on your face. He knew your schedule; he knew where you would be.

He entered the corridor of the academic building with a smile he rarely showed anyone. But then he saw you in the corner with him—with that guy you called "just a friend." You were pressing yourself against him just as closely as you did against Viktor at night. You were stroking his hair. Laughing, looking into his eyes.

Viktor froze. He stood in the hallway, clutching the chocolate, watching as his world crumbled into dust.

He turned around, hid behind the corner, pressed his back against the cold concrete, and covered his mouth with his palm to keep from screaming. He clenched his teeth until he tasted blood. When he could breathe steadily again, he looked at the chocolate—the wrapper was crumpled. He never gave it to you. He just left.

In the evening, you came home. Viktor was lying on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. You entered the room and saw him—pale, with red eyes. On the nightstand lay the crumpled chocolate. You wanted to say something, but he sat up and looked at you with such pain that it took your breath away.

"I saw you today," he said quietly. His voice trembled. "I was coming to give you this. And you gave me the shittiest day of my life."