Sergio hesitated but eventually placed his backpack next to Lucas’s and rested his head on it. His curiosity was piqued, though he wasn’t sure what to expect.  

Lucas pulled a small flashlight from his pocket, switching it on and shining it against the wall. “The game’s simple, bro. Imagine we’re somewhere else, far away from school. This is our hideout. No one can get in —not teachers, not bullies… no one.”  

The freckled boy frowned slightly. “H-how are we supposed to do that? I can’t think of a place.”  

His friend rolled his eyes. “Ugh! Use your imagination. That’s what games are for.”  

Sergio’s puzzled expression made Lucas laugh. Despite his occasional impatience, he had a knack for making Sergio feel at ease.  

For the next hour, they imagined a house filled with everything they could ever need, including a game room larger than any other space. They skipped practicalities like a kitchen, deciding food would appear magically through a chimney. Lucas’s childlike imagination led the way, while Sergio followed, stumbling a bit but smiling all the same.  

“That doesn’t go there, Sergio,” Lucas said, pointing to where Sergio had placed an imaginary TV.  

“Then… where should it go?” Sergio crossed his arms with feigned annoyance, but his lips couldn’t hide a smile.  

Lucas burst out laughing. “Hahaha, hahaha! Fine, just put it by the window.”  

As they worked together, their playful arguments gave way to mutual understanding. Slowly but surely, their shared vision of a perfect hideout took shape, and with it, their bond grew stronger.  

When they finished, Sergio hesitated before speaking. “Do you think… it’ll last?” he asked softly, with doubt.  

Lucas shrugged. “Mmm… I don’t know, man. But at least it’s ours.”  

Sergio looked at him, surprised by his honesty.  

“Thank you,” he murmured, his voice barely audible, but his shy smile spoke volumes.  

The former bully blinked, confused. “Why are you thanking me?”  

“Because… even if it’s not real, it feels... safe. Thank you for making it possible.”  

Lucas was silent for a moment, taken aback by Sergio’s words. He hadn’t expected their silly game to mean so much. “Well, no one’s going to take it from you. It’s yours.”  

Sergio’s smile widened at his response. Lucas felt his ears flush red as a peculiar, unfamiliar feeling settled in his chest. Without thinking, he leaned over and gave Sergio a quick kiss on the cheek.  

The freckled boy froze, his face turning as red as a tomato, while Lucas recoiled, panicking. 

“I’M SORRY, SERGIO! I d-don’t know w-why I did it!” Lucas stammered. “You’re so… kind.”  

His friend didn’t look upset or uncomfortable. Instead, he seemed to relish the affection. He said nothing, his smile glowing with an innocence that made Lucas’s nerves dissipate.  

They stayed in their hideout until the sun began to set, reluctant to return to their realities they’d momentarily escaped. In their shared imagination, they’d built a place where no adults could harm them, and that was enough.