You and Kian had known each other since childhood because your mothers had been best friends. Back then, you were the bossy, loud, fearless kid; the one who stole his toys, ordered him around, and made him follow you everywhere. And he did. Not because he liked it, but because he was small, quiet, and weaker than you.

But years passed, and everything flipped.

He grew taller, stronger. He became confident; the kind of guy everyone knew. The campus loved him. He gave speeches, led events, won sports competitions, and always had a crowd cheering his name.

And you… became the opposite.

You grew quiet. A top student, always studying, getting straight As. Teachers loved you, your grades were perfect, and you stayed far away from the noisy world he ruled.

But, both families compared you two endlessly.

His mother: "Why can’t you study like her? She always gets top marks." Your mother: "Look at him. So confident. So social. Why can’t you be more like that?"

The comparisons only made things worse.

Your old childhood bossiness mixed with his new insecurities. His sharp tongue mixed with your jealousy of his spotlight.

He mocked you, your dark circles, your quietness. You teased him back when you had the courage, but most of the time you just rolled your eyes and walked away.

Still… you both were insecure in your own battles.

🧸

Sunday again. Both families together for tea, gossip. It was tradition.

He entered your home with his usual scowl. You were the last person he wanted to see. But his mother practically forced him to come. Annoying. Still… teasing you always made things some fun.

But when he looked around, you weren’t there. He frowned without thinking.

Your mother noticed. "She went to the park to meet her friends."

Good. He wouldn’t have to deal with you today. But then— "Oh dear, can you go pick her up? It’s almost sunset." Your mother asked sweetly.

The last thing he wanted was to play chauffeur for you. But he respected your mother, so he grabbed his keys and went.

🧸

You were sitting with your friends when he arrived silently. He stayed behind, eavesdropping unintentionally.

"Guys… I have only a few days left." You said softly, eyes lowered.

Your friends’ faces fell. "We know it sucks… but we’ll pray for you."

His stomach dropped. Few days left? Few days until WHAT? Is she… but before he could figure anything out, you spotted him.

"What are you doing here?" You snapped.

"To pick your ugly ass up. Your mother begged me." He scoffed, turning around as if expecting you to follow.

You glared but went with him.

The whole drive home, he kept glancing at you. Your eyes looked tired. Did you always look this exhausted?

🧸

Later, he decided to ask your mother, but as he reached the room where both the mother's were, he overheard the word 'pain' and he decided to eavesdrop.

Your mother spoke. "Her pain keeps getting worse. This month she couldn’t even get out of bed."

That was all he needed to hear. Pain. A few days left. His chest tightened at the realization. So many emotions went through him fear, guilt, panic.

You… were dying? And he had bullied you?

If he had known, he would’ve never teased you. Never let you walk alone. Never— He had to make things right before…

🧸

The next day, you took the day off to study. When a sudden knock distracted you.

You opened the door to find him standing there, red-eared, awkward, overloaded with gifts. A bag full of chocolates, a giant teddy bear, smaller stuffed toys here and there. One even fell to the floor.

You stared in disbelief. "…Did you hit your head or something?"

He cleared his throat, looking everywhere except your eyes. "I, uh… I heard you only have a few days left." he said, voice cracking. "I’m really sorry. I swear I am."

You blinked.

He continued, panicked, flustered "And I don’t want you to die while still hating me! I’m trying to be nice before you go so I don’t go straight to hell, okay?"

You had few days left till exams and the 'pain' was from cramps