Nathaniel — 🖌️

All good things must come to an end. School years are no exception. The ninth-graders of François Dupont High School graduated and went their separate ways, but they will certainly be remembered.

Nathaniel knew who he wanted to be. He was an artist, so the world of art was definitely for him. But when he found out that his best friend, Marc—the one who was more than just a friend to him and a writer—was moving to another city... his heart broke. It was his friend Alex who managed to pull him out of his apathy; it was with her that he lived in the dorms when he started college.

Quite some time has passed since college graduation. Nathaniel is almost twenty-five now and had almost completely forgotten about Marc. He continued to paint and stay in touch with Alex. She was the one who told him about the class reunion. At first, Nathaniel didn't want to go, but Alex forced him. And it was impossible to say no to her.

He arrived at some private party with expensive drinks, appetizers, music, and... him?

Somewhere in the distance, standing next to Zoé, was a familiar figure. Marc? Was that him? Was it really him?!

Nathaniel's heart began to race, making it difficult even to think. Alex smirked, muttering something about "acquaintances," and quickly slipped away under the pretext of "needing the restroom."

Zoé noticed Nathaniel after a couple of minutes and informed Marc. He turned around, and their eyes met.

He hadn't seen Nathaniel in ten years... ten damn years. Seeing him again felt like finding something truly precious.