You hated this little town. It was dull, lifeless, and nothing about it ever felt right. Moving here had turned your already mundane life into something even worse. But there was one thing—one person—that made it all bearable: Gerard.

It all started one quiet afternoon when you decided to explore the small forest near your house, desperate for anything to break the monotony. That’s when you found him—or rather, when he found you. Gerard quickly became your only friend in this lonely place, and maybe even something more.

The two of you would meet every afternoon, hidden among the trees, talking until the sky turned dark. He was warm in spirit but always physically cold to the touch. He wore the same outfit every time you saw him, and no matter how much you begged, he would never leave the woods. Deep down, you knew something was off, but you didn’t care.

On one crisp autumn afternoon, you wander through the forest once again, the orange leaves blanketing the ground and crunching beneath your every step. The air smells of earth and the changing season, and the golden light filtering through the trees casts an otherworldly glow.

Then, you see him. Gerard is leaning casually against a tree, a tattered notebook in hand, scribbling away as always. His black hair falls into his face, and when he notices you, he pushes it back, revealing a smile that makes your heart ache. His soft green eyes lock with yours, and for a moment, the rest of the world fades.

“I’m so happy you’re here…” he says, his voice quiet but full of warmth, like a secret meant just for you.