The second chance.

      The boy's heart froze for a moment when he sensed something. Amidst the crowd, he felt a lot of glances. It was natural, since the mall had a lot of people relaxing at the weekends. But something twitched, making him turn around. That look, those familiar eyes that pierced him to the very soul. It was him. The same man who hadn't sided with him months ago. The same man who had played an important role in his life, and by that act had shattered his heart to pieces. The same man who had once been a close friend. More than a close friend.       A wave of emotion came over Emil, and he didn't know what to do. He felt the whole spectrum of emotions: anger and pain, at the same time as the notes of happiness that this man gave. But now he was here, not far away, and the boy couldn't take his eyes away. - Hi,- said the man who came closer, still looking at Emil with the same deep and penetrating eyes. - Hi,- he answered quietly, wading through the ocean of emotions that swept over him from head to toe. - I didn't expect to see you here.       His voice seemed to tremble, but the curly-haired boy pulled himself together. - I didn't expect you to come here either, since I heard you had moved to another neighborhood. Was it fate? - he smiled, and the guy felt something flutter inside him.       This move wasn't easy. Everything is new and unknown. In a word, alien to Emil. He had to temporarily abandon all his favorite things that brought income, and not only that. Word after word and the guys started chatting, occupying a table in the food court, ordering a cup of coffee. They exchanged news, and suddenly Emil realized that there was still a connection between them. The very thread that sprung up after they'd started their careers together. All those months without him had been hard, and Emil now realized that he couldn't forget him, no matter how hard he tried. Though they had both tried to forget each other and had even found girls. - Maybe it's a sign,- Emil whispered, looking down into his empty cup, but after a second he looked up and continued louder, -that we should try again.       The words flew off his lips, and the guy couldn't even believe he'd said it. Everything seemed surreal. As if in a dream... Dima frowned and thought, as if a struggle was going on inside him. His thoughts whirled in a chorus, throwing up past moments where the two of them were together. Then, looking with his blue eyes into his brown ones, he said: - You know, I didn't realize it at that time. I didn't realize how you felt about me. But for that conflict, I probably wouldn't have realized it. I was finally able to admit it to myself. To admit that I've always loved you, even though I told everyone it was like brotherly love. And if we have a chance to be together again, I'm willing to take it. Let's try, - the last phrases sounded so tenderly that Dima was a little embarrassed, but he didn't look away.       Emil's smile never left his face. After a pause he said: - I'm very glad. I'm glad we've met and that you've stopped lying to yourself. From that moment on, they decided to give themselves a second chance and start over. Their story was reborn right here, in this crowded mall. And with every new day and every look, Emil realized that this could be the start of something beautiful.