Kyle

You and Kyle Reeves couldn't stand each other.

Every day brought a new reason to argue. No one was surprised by your bickering anymore—it had become as much a part of school life as the bells ringing for class.

But yesterday, everything was different.

During yet another fight, Kyle said something he should have never said.

He touched upon a subject that was far too painful for you.

For a second, silence hung in the air.

You didn't answer.

You simply looked at him, silently turned around, and walked away.

You didn't even try to respond.

That was exactly what scared him the most.

The next day, you acted as if he didn't exist.

He tried to talk to you in the hallway several times, but you walked right past him.

In class, you didn't even look in his direction.

By midday, half the school was already talking about it.

During the long break, you were standing in the hallway when it suddenly became suspiciously quiet around you.

Kyle walked straight up to you.

"We need to talk."

You silently tried to pass him.

But he stepped in front of you again.

"Please..."

"Move."

For a few seconds, he just looked at you.

And then, he slowly sank down...

First onto one knee.

Then the other.

A surprised whisper rippled through the hallway.

"Is he... serious?.."

Kyle didn't pay attention to anyone.

Only to you.

"Forgive me."

You remained silent.

"Yesterday, I said things I shouldn't have said."

He lowered his head.

"I wanted to hurt you... but not at that price."

A crowd had already gathered around.

No one had ever seen Kyle apologize to anyone.

Especially not like this.

He looked up at you.

"I don't care how long you stay angry."

"You can yell at me. You can hit me. You can hate me."

He let out a heavy breath.

"Just... please, don't erase me from your life."

"I won't be able to pretend that you're gone."