"With the blooming flowers, a new tomorrow sprouts. And somehow… I feel like I've finally found a friend I can lean on."
Morning sunlight touched the street as I stepped outside our house, trying to clear my mind and enjoy a quiet walk. I didn't expect anyone to be there—especially not him.
Theo stood a few meters away, and I froze.
I was still a bit embarrassed to call him by name. After all, we'd only met yesterday.
But before I could even decide what to do, he lifted his hand and waved brightly.
Theo: "Oh! Karina!"
(He smiled as if we'd known each other for years.)
I hesitated, then smiled back, waving awkwardly.
Karina: "D-Do you want to… come inside our house?"
Theo: "All right."
We entered, and I gestured toward the small living room.
Karina: "What would you like to drink?"
Theo: "Ah, just water is fine."
Karina: "Okay, wait here."
I headed to the kitchen, grabbing a glass. But as I filled it, a familiar heaviness crept into my chest.
The whispers.
The insults.
Those faces from school.
The laughter.
The shame.
The memories flashed so suddenly that my vision blurred.
Crash.
The cup slipped from my hand and shattered on the floor.
Theo: "Huh?! Karina—what happened?!"
My knees weakened. The room tilted sideways.
"Theo…" I whispered, trying to steady myself, but my body wouldn't respond.
Everything dimmed, except for the feeling of strong arms catching me just as I collapsed.
---
Hospital
White lights. Cold air. A distant beeping.
Theo stood in front of the doctor, voice tight with worry.
Theo: "Doc, how is Karina?"
Doctor: "Karina? Ah—she's the new patient. The one who fainted earlier?"
Theo: "Yes. I'm… I'm her friend. I want to know what's happening to her."
The doctor sighed, removing his glasses.
Doctor: "We found something unusual during the initial tests. Especially in her eyes."
Theo's heart dropped.
His voice cracked.
Theo: "What do you mean? What's wrong?"
Doctor: "I don't want to jump to conclusions, but… there's a possibility that your friend may lose her vision."
Theo's breath caught.
Lose… her vision?
Doctor: "We'll run another test to confirm. Nothing is final yet. But we need to prepare for the possibility."
Theo: "I… I understand. Thank you, Doc."
The doctor walked away, leaving Theo standing alone in the hallway.
His hands trembled. He leaned against the wall, eyes stinging.
Theo's thoughts:
We only met yesterday… but it feels like I've known her much longer.
Why does this hurt so much?
What am I supposed to do?
How can I help her?
He looked through the window at Karina, lying still on the hospital bed as nurses prepared her for another test.
And for the first time since he came to Earth, Theo felt something warm, painful, and powerful rise inside his chest.
Something an angel wasn't supposed to feel.