In the photo, Evica and Herry stood together, smiling at the camera.
Close.
Like they belonged there.
On the other side—
Rex stood alone.
Far enough to not matter.
His eyes didn't move.
He kept staring at that distance.
Like if he looked long enough…
it would change.
It didn't.
And then—
something hit him.
Voices.
Loud.
Too close.
"He's an idiot."
"He can't even talk properly."
His fingers pressed harder against the photo.
For a second, he forgot where he was.
Mother (confused): "Why were you standing alone like that?"
He heard her.
But the words didn't reach him properly.
His throat felt tight.
Like something was stuck there.
He turned and walked out.
Mother: "Rex?"
He didn't stop.
He didn't answer.
The door of his room closed behind him.
Then locked.
The silence inside felt… louder.
Rex dropped into his chair, pulling a notebook toward him.
His pen touched the page.
Stayed there for a second.
Then moved.
Lines.
Just lines.
Hard.
Messy.
Crossing each other again and again like they were trying to erase something.
His grip tightened.
The pen pressed deeper.
His hand started shaking slightly.
And then—
it stopped.
A tear slipped down.
He didn't react.
Like he didn't even notice it.
🌤️ Next Day
Evica and Herry walked into school together, laughing.
Like always.
Nothing had changed for them.
Rex watched.
And this time—
he didn't even try to look away.
Something burned in his chest.
Slow.
Constant.
🏫 Classroom
Herry pulled out a photo, holding it up with a grin.
Herry (teasing): "Look at this—you looked like a boy back then."
Evica leaned closer, laughing.
Evica: "You looked like a girl too."
Herry paused, then scoffed.
Herry: "So you still see me as a girl?"
He leaned back, smirking.
Herry: "That's why we're still just best friends, right?"
Rex heard every word.
Best friends.
His jaw tightened.
Herry leaned closer again—
too close.
Evica shifted slightly—
and the photo slipped from her hand.
It fell.
Sliding across the floor—
stopping near Rex.
He picked it up.
His eyes dropped to it—
And everything went still.
His fingers curled slightly around the edge.
Something about it—
wasn't right.
Or maybe…
it was too right.
Evica walked over.
Evica (normal): "Give it back."
He didn't move.
Didn't respond.
Like he wasn't fully there anymore.
She frowned and pulled it from his hand.
Then left.
Just like that.
Rex stayed where he was.
Still holding onto something that wasn't even there anymore.
⏳ Later
The teacher spoke about vacations and exams.
No one really cared.
Everyone started packing their bags.
Rex didn't move.
His eyes shifted slowly toward Herry.
His fingers tightened.
That burning feeling—
it wasn't quiet anymore.
It was getting harder to hold.
He stood up.
Walked toward him.
Step by step.
His expression looked calm—
but it wasn't.
Not even close.
And before anyone could react—
He punched him.