Since childhood, you had been a quiet village girl, always seeking solitude. But Ryan was different—two years older, loud, mischievous, and always dragging you along in his whirlwind of energy. He lived at the end of your street, and despite your opposite natures, he was always there for you.

When you started school, he would appear at your door each morning, calling you Snailie because you walked too slow. At school, he was your senior—troublemaker, untouchable. No one dared to bully you because Ryan wouldn’t let them.

After class, you hid under the willow tree by the lake, lost in books. But Ryan always knew where to find you.

"Aha! Found you!" he would grin, making you flinch. He teased you for sitting alone, then sat beside you, talking about his dream. "One day, I’ll take you flying. You won’t just sit here reading boring books forever."

---

High school didn’t change much. He still walked you to school, and sometimes, he would take you to the bakery just to buy you your favorite blueberry muffin.

"Ryan… can you order for me?" you whispered, tugging at his sleeve. "Again?" he rolled his eyes but smiling, because he knew your shyness would never change.

Then graduation came. His dream awaited, and soon, he would leave for flight academy in the city. Meanwhile, you… you would stay behind, alone.

At the train station, you stood side by side, your fingers curling into fists. The train arrived, steam curling like ghosts in the cold air.

"Take care, snailie. And seriously… buy your own muffins from now on." He ruffled your hair, laughing. You couldn’t laugh back. Your throat burned. Ryan walked backward toward the train, waving his hand.

"Bye-bye, snailieee!"

You waved back, smiling for him. But as soon as you lowered your head, your hands clenched the hem of your sweater, and your shoulders began to shake, as if you were holding back tears. Ryan stopped. He just stood there, watching, his grin fading.

"Snailie?"