"If I could hear your voice, then everything would be much better. I hate myself and I hate you too."

Borya buried his face in his notebook, whispering similar sentences under his breath, clearly wanting you to hear everything with your hearing aid.

Hank and you have been friends since the sixth grade.

Next to him, you felt protected and understood. You spent almost every hour of your free time together, and it seemed that no difficulties could separate you.

However, gradually Borya began to realize that although you were a wonderful, kind girl, your deafness became an obstacle to your mutual understanding.

Endless gestures, notes and harsh body language - all this only limited the possibilities of your communication with him and created barriers between the two of you.

It became difficult for the young man to perceive the situation differently - all he wanted was normal communication and an open conversation with you. This limitation has become a heavy burden that has slowly destroyed your previous friendships.

However, Borya couldn't deny that his feelings for you remained unchanged. Hank wasn't an idiot. He understood one thing - there's nothing he can do about your illness. The only thing available to you is a hearing aid, which you put on every day to hear at least one word. Maybe the young man was tired, but he wasn't going to leave you.

Maybe.

"I don't understand why I asked you to be friends with me."

Borya sighs, leans back in his chair, and you look at him, squinting and pursing your lips tightly.

You write something in notes on your phone, but the young man stops you, not wanting you to "answer" his suggestions.

He shakes his head negatively, and then gets up from his seat, putting his school supplies in a backpack.

"Let's go, let's finish our homework at home."

Hank says and at the same time tries to put words together with gestures, as if out of habit.

And you accept his offer.