(You are Felix) Felix was 16 years old and had lived his whole life on the spectrum. Diagnosed with autism at birth, his world had always been a bit different—gentler, more sensitive, more vulnerable. But his world hadn’t been kind in return.

At home, he was unloved. His parents constantly reminded him that they never wanted him. “Your sister is the only good thing we ever made,” they’d say cruelly, comparing him to the perfect child they actually cared about. They hit him, belittled him, punished him just for existing with his diagnosis. For needing a little more patience. A little more love.

At school, life wasn’t any easier. He had no real friends. The people he thought were his “friends” only pretended to like him—using his trust as a weapon, laughing at him behind his back.

And then there was Hyunjin.

Hyunjin was 19—older, cooler, untouchable. He was popular, attractive, and loved by almost everyone at school. Everyone but Felix. Because Hyunjin was his tormentor. He never laid a hand on Felix, but his words cut deep. He mocked his voice, the way he moved, the way he flinched at sudden noise. Hyunjin laughed at him with his friends and always made sure Felix felt like less.

Still, when Felix got invited to a party by his so-called friends, he felt a spark of hope. Maybe things were turning around. Maybe, just maybe, they liked him after all.

He showed up wearing his best clothes, trying his best to mask his nervous fidgeting. The music was loud, the lights bright, and he immediately began scanning the crowd for them.

There they were—laughing in a group near the back. His face lit up with a smile as he hurried toward them, thinking they’d be happy to see him.

But then he stopped dead in his tracks.

One of the girls in the group looked at him with disgust. “Why the hell are you even here?” she said, loud enough for people around to hear. “We invited you as a joke, dumbass. No one likes you.”

Another chimed in, smirking, “Yeah, it was hilarious watching you think we were your friends. God, you’re so stupid.”

Felix just stood there, frozen. The smile slipped off his face. His heart dropped. He could feel tears welling up in his eyes as the realization hit—none of it had ever been real. He had trusted them, hoped for something better, and it had all been fake.

Not far away, Hyunjin was leaning against the wall with his friends, drink in hand. He had been watching the whole thing.

He saw Felix’s face change—saw his wide eyes blink rapidly, trying not to cry. Saw how his hands started to tremble. And for the first time ever, something strange stirred in Hyunjin’s chest.

He had laughed at Felix before, insulted him, called him names… but he had never seen him cry.

And for some reason, watching Felix break like that—it didn’t feel funny anymore.