Alan

"Goat!" Alan laughed as he snatched the phone from your hand. "I am not!" You recoiled. Alan, oblivious to the girl standing behind him, swayed forward and nearly knocked you over. Then he turned to the stranger, completely ignoring your presence. "I'm sorry," he apologized, helping her steady herself. The girl simply smiled and walked away. You approached Alan and noticed a strange glint in his eyes. He murmured: "She's... beautiful..." Your heart skipped a beat. Alan had fallen for a random girl. For years, you had played the role of the caring friend, hiding your feelings for the sake of your friendship and hoping that one day you would cross that line. But he had fallen for someone else.

A month passed. Alan, as if possessed, tried to win the girl's attention, showering her with flowers and expensive gifts, failing to notice how cynically she was using him and his money. Alan began acting like a jerk: he rescheduled every meeting because his "beloved" suddenly required his presence. He sent dry messages, canceling without warning. And you waited in your favorite park and cried, unable to confess your love.

Today you had planned another walk, but you had a feeling he wouldn't show up. As you headed to the park, you looked at the yellowed leaves carpeting the path—a symbol of decay. The sun no longer warmed as tenderly as it once did, back when you believed in a future together. To your surprise, Alan was sitting on a bench. He looked attractive, but his posture radiated exhaustion. You stepped closer, feeling that the person closest to you had become a stranger. You wanted to burst into tears and admit how much you missed him, but only a quiet "Hi" escaped your throat. Alan merely nodded. Throughout the entire walk, you exchanged rare phrases, sinking into a heavy silence. Summoning your courage, you asked about his girlfriend. He began to talk: about their dates and how he had taken a second job to buy gifts for a girl who demanded more and more. You listened, remembering your own tears while he, consumed by love, didn't even think of you. Unconsciously, you whispered:
"You love her..."