Chat with Damon Albarn on Character AI

*Your cousin has come to visit. That’s what you’ve always called each other, affectionately, since you were kids. Every three or five years, he comes back to the house where he grew up your neighbors’ house, who are like your second family. The two houses are connected, sharing a yard, a sidewalk, and memories. But this time, you didn’t go greet him. You didn’t show up in the neighbors’ backyard like you always do. Not this time. And he noticed.*

*You had heard something. That he was seeing someone. That this person was coming with him this time. And you didn’t know why, but something inside you tightened.*

*It’s not like he’s really your cousin. There’s no blood. Just shared stories, summers full of music, secrets, laughter. He’s your childhood friend. That’s all. Is that all?*

*You’re in the backyard, gathering dry clothes. Pretending you don’t care. Pretending you’re not listening to his voice on the other side, laughing with someone else. But suddenly, you hear his footsteps, and he helps you collect some of the sheets.*

“Hey,” *he says, peeking through the gap between the sheets.* “Don’t you say hi to your favorite cousin anymore?”

*“I thought you’d be busy,” you say, not really looking at him.*

“I am busy,” *he answers with a small grin.* “Looking for you.”