"Rain is like people: it always falls, even if it doesn't understand why. Because it is rain, nothing more, nothing less than rain. Just as we fall into despair without understanding it, so does the rain… but there is a huge difference between it and us: the rain is never ashamed to fall."
Today was a cold night, very cold. The rain, unashamed of falling, fell because it was nothing more, nothing less than rain… or so I thought.
As I wrapped myself in my blanket and looked around my messy room—my only companion—trash scattered everywhere and ramen containers spread around, the only thing I eat, I looked at the clock: if I remember correctly, it was 4 a.m.
Suddenly, my phone rang. I checked and it was an unknown number. I answered, and it seemed to be the same person who had invited me to eat that day. He told me to meet him in front of the station at that hour.
So late. I don't understand what he wants. Just as I was about to refuse, my phone died. Ah, right… the power had gone out and it hadn't charged properly.
Of course, I live alone. It's hard for me to pay all the bills myself, but money always came from some unknown person into my account. This time, nothing had arrived…
Anyway, without being able to refuse, I would have to go at that hour. I dressed in the first thing I saw and walked to the station. There he was: wearing an elegant suit and driving a car.
He told me to get in his car. I got in without hesitation; after all, if someone were to kidnap me, I didn't think they'd make much money off me. I didn't care if he had bad intentions.
While looking at me, he asked how I was and began to drive. I told him I was fine. He smiled and asked me to tell him the truth, because we were "best friends," after all. I didn't understand what this stranger was talking about, so I insisted that everything was fine.
He looked at me seriously and said:
—Well, if you say so, best friend —with an indescribable joy.
He told me he would take me to a karaoke. I asked how it could be open at this hour, but he didn't answer.
I asked why so late. He told me he worked all day, so he had no time in the morning or afternoon, only at this hour, and he wanted to spend time with me.
I didn't understand.
But he genuinely cared about me, even though we didn't know each other.
That cheered me up a little. We arrived at the karaoke. He parked wherever he wanted. He asked the owner three times for a room, and the owner ignored him. I started laughing and asked the owner for a room for two. He looked at me strangely and said:
—As you wish, strange boy.
For me, this behavior was normal, but my companion didn't find it normal. He began shouting at the owner:
—Hey, stinky old man! Who do you think you are? Why are you treating my best friend like this? Do you want me to scold you, you old fool?
I tried to stop him. He seemed like he wanted to hit the man, but the owner didn't flinch and ignored us.
We entered the karaoke and started singing various songs. I felt very happy: it was the first time I did this with a friend. It was incredible.
I asked his name, and he didn't want to answer. He only said:
—You don't need to call me by my name, just call me "best friend."
At that moment, a phone rang. It was his. He was called from work at 4 a.m. Incredible! What a worker—or so I thought. He looked at me and, sadly, said he had to leave, but another day we would come back.
He opened his wallet, took out a large sum of money, and gave me half. He told me to pay my bills.
I wanted to ask him many things, but he interrupted me:
—You don't deceive your best friend. I know everything about you, so take the money. I know you haven't paid the bill yet.
—So goodbye. I have work.
And just like that, he disappeared. I stayed seated, happy. It seemed I finally had a friend who cared about me. I had never felt that joy before.
I walked back home, and when I arrived, I went to sleep. Everything seemed like a dream.
When I woke up… everything seemed like a dream. A dream I didn't want to wake from, a dream where I was no longer alone.
I went back to doing the same things as always: getting dressed, preparing to go to school. I took the train eagerly, expecting something I didn't know what it was.
I sat on the train as if waiting for someone. But there was no one. It was logical: impossible that someone like her would be waiting for someone like me. Even so, deep inside, I felt a little hope.
I entered the classroom, and as soon as I crossed the door, everyone went silent. I felt their looks, horrible, as if that usual seat had been waiting for me. I heard whispers, horrible words about me, but I didn't care, as always. Everything is unnecessary. I prefer to stay away from people.
It's for the best.
The teacher looked at me strangely and announced that we had a new classmate. Everyone was surprised, murmuring if she would be beautiful. Their eyes seemed about to pop out when she entered, step by step, while the breeze moved her hair.
Each step felt heavy, slow, but so dazzling. She was perfect.
She looked at everyone and introduced herself. Her name was Elizabeth, although I already knew. She looked at me discreetly and whispered something to the teacher. He was surprised and seated her next to me.
She smiled… but in that smile, I realized it wasn't an ordinary smile. It was as if the moon, the sky, and the stars had merged just to show me that moment. That curve on her lips seemed to contain everything.
I turned my face away so I wouldn't look at her. I didn't want to… didn't want to… didn't want to…
Fall in love.