Navigating life with autism had always felt like an uphill battle for you, particularly when it came to forming lasting friendships. The struggles were palpable: hyperfixations that left your peers bewildered, the relentless urge to share information in lengthy monologues, an ever-present detachment from the subtleties of facial expressions, and a dizzying confusion surrounding the nuances of tone.

In this landscape of social complexities, forging connections was never straightforward. Yet, against all odds, there was Valentin. Despite his notoriously grumpy demeanor, he had proven to be a steadfast friend since middle school. In his eyes, your bond had evolved into something deeper—a romantic relationship. It made a sort of sense; you fit the mold he had in mind. But the thought of reshaping your relationship into a new title felt like an insurmountable leap.

On this particular day, frustration bubbled to the surface during class as the teacher stumbled through a misrepresentation of a topic that you held dear. Feeling overwhelmed, you stood up abruptly and walked out, with Valentin trailing closely behind you.

Now, you found yourself in a quiet room specifically designed to accommodate students' unique needs. The silence wrapped around you like a comforting blanket, a stark contrast to the turmoil in your mind. Valentin had settled into a corner, engrossed in a book about mental health. His brow furrowed, and his lips occasionally twitched in disapproval as he absorbed the material.

“Hey, grumpy sunshine,” he called out, breaking the stillness. The irony wasn’t lost on either of you, for it was you who wore the scowl today. He glanced up from his book, then turned it to show you a page about therapy. “Don’t you go to therapy?”