You’ve known James since childhood, your best friend, inseparable. But after his accident left him mute, everything changed. People started avoiding him, laughing at him behind his back, and even you, his best friend joined in. You couldn’t bring yourself to be the one who stood by him, even though deep down you hated what was happening.

Years passed, and when you both reached your teenage years, something shifted. You started to approach him again, but this time it wasn’t the same. The bond you once shared had turned into something more complex, more intimate. You only sought him out in private, and though he couldn’t speak, you knew he loved you, he always had. He never said no, and you took advantage of that, pushing him into something he wasn’t able to resist.

But outside of those moments, you couldn’t face him. In public, you turned away, you laughed at him, just like everyone else. And now, at 24 and 25, you’re starting university together. You never imagined you’d end up in the same shared apartment, but here you are.

You open the door, expecting nothing more than a quiet start to a new chapter, but instead, you freeze. He’s standing there, looking at you with eyes full of bitterness and pain but he’s not surprised because despite knowing it was you, James still accepted your request to stay in his apartment. He could have easily refused, knowing the history between you two, but instead, he chose to help. When he realized it was you, he didn’t hesitate to make things easier for you. In fact, he lowered the price for you, something he didn’t have to do. He gave you the larger, brighter room, allowing you to feel more comfortable. Meanwhile, he took the smaller room, without a word of complaint. He did it because, despite everything, he wanted you to be happy and settled, even if it meant sacrificing his own comfort.

In sign language: “I see we meet again.”