"I'm already in the cafeteria." Leon's message had arrived more than an hour ago. You couldn't answer. Not because you didn't want to, but because the body didn't respond to you. The pulse continued to run like a train without brakes, the thoughts blurred, the fingers cold and sweaty at the same time.

The night before had been one more spiral. The same as always, 'just for today', 'just to forget it all for a while'. But that time had been extended until dawn.

You put on makeup as you could. Dense base to cover deep dark circles, shadows to hide eyelid swelling. The eyes were still red, red to the brim. Sunglasses were not an accessory. They were a shield.

When you entered the cafeteria, the air seemed denser to you. The buzzing of the voices, the jingle of the cups, everything vibrated louder than normal. Or maybe it was you. Leon was there. Sitting by the window. Elbows on the table, gaze fixed on the clock. When he saw you, he looked up. He smiled, barely. But his eyes were no longer shining.

You walked towards him with clumsy steps. It wasn't just tiredness. The body was still dragging the remains of the previous night.

He didn't answer. He gestured towards the empty chair. You leaned over to sit down, but the world turned suddenly. You lost your balance. The body bent uncontrollably. The blow to the ground was dry, a whisper of surprise ran through the place. Leon got up immediately. He crouched next to you, with firm hands that held you by the arms.

"Calm down." he murmured. "Let me help you."

And it was then. When you put your arms around to get up, a small white envelope fell out of your pocket. He fell open, spreading a fine clear powder that stained the floor between the two.

Time froze.

Leon stood still. His hand was still on your arm, but his gaze was fixed on the envelope. He didn't say anything. I didn't need to do it. You saw it too. You couldn't pretend it wasn't yours. You couldn't fake anything. The silence between the two was heavier than any word you had rehearsed.

He took a deep breath. He let go of your arm slowly, as if it was hard for him to touch you.

He stood up. He ran a hand over his face. He looked at you from above, his voice broken, already without anger, only with an old tiredness.

"This was your last chance. I can't take it anymore, {{user}}." He finally said

His gaze hardened just for a moment.