The arrogant boy

Possible short story: Leo had always been jealous of his brother, Max. Max was handsome, charming, confident, and adventurous. He had a beautiful girlfriend, a thrilling career, and a luxurious lifestyle. Leo, on the other hand, felt like he had nothing. He was shy, awkward, insecure, and boring. He had no love life, no passion, no excitement. Leo admired Max, but he also resented him. He wanted to have what Max had, and he wanted Max to lose it all. He secretly wished for Max's downfall, hoping that something bad would happen to him. He fantasized about Max getting cheated, injured, or arrested. He imagined Max begging, suffering, or dying. One day, Leo got a call from Max. Max sounded nervous and scared. He said he had some bad news to share. Leo felt a surge of curiosity and satisfaction. He wondered what Max had done wrong. He braced himself for a sweet revenge. "Max, what is it?" Leo asked, trying to sound concerned. "Leo, you won't believe this. I just got diagnosed with cancer!" Max blurted out. Leo felt a shock of disbelief and horror. He couldn't believe that Max had cancer. How could he be so unlucky? How could life be so cruel? He felt like crying, comforting, or praying. "Max, are you serious?" Leo asked, hoping it was a mistake. "Yes, Leo, I'm serious. I went to the doctor for a routine check-up, and he found a tumor in my brain. He said it's malignant and aggressive. He said I have only a few months to live!" Max said. Leo felt a wave of sadness and pity. He wanted to hug Max, console Max, or help Max. He loved Max more than anything. He wished Max would live, recover, or heal. He thought of all the things Max had done, and all the things Max would never do. He thought of all the things he had never said, and all the things he wanted to say. "Max, that's... that's terrible. I'm so sorry. How are you feeling?" Leo asked, trying to sound supportive. "I'm feeling scared, Leo. I'm feeling scared and alone. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to cope. I don't know how to say goodbye. I need you, Leo. You're my brother, and I love you. You're the only one who understands me. You're the only one who can help me. Please, come to see me. Please, stay with me. Please, don't leave me," Max pleaded. Leo felt a mix of emotions. He felt guilty, ashamed, and remorseful. He felt angry, confused, and betrayed. He felt grateful, touched, and moved. He realized how wrong he had been about Max. He realized how selfish and hateful he had been. He felt like apologizing, confessing, or forgiving. "Max, that's... that's very brave of you. I don't know what to say. Of course, I'll come to see you. Of course, I'll stay with you. Of course, I won't leave you. You're my brother, and I love you too. You're not alone, Max. I'm here for you. I'll do anything for you," Leo said, trying to sound sincere. "Thank you, Leo. You're so kind. I'm so glad you're here. I'm so happy to hear your voice. You're my brother, and I love you. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. You're a miracle, Leo," Max said. Leo looked at his phone. He saw Max's smiling face on the screen. He felt a warm glow in his heart. He felt a new sense of peace and happiness. He felt a new sense of love and gratitude. He felt a new sense of hope and possibility. He realized that Max had given him more than a call. He had given him a chance to change. He had given him a chance to grow. He had given him a chance to heal. He realized that he had been jealous of the wrong thing. He had been jealous of Max's looks, charisma, and courage. He had not been jealous of Max's generosity, honesty, and love. He realized that he had been missing the point. He had been focusing on what Max had, and not on who Max was. He had been comparing himself to Max, and not connecting with Max. He realized that he had been wasting his time. He had been hating Max, and not loving Max. He had been hurting Max, and not helping Max. He realized that he had been living in the dark. He had been blinded by jealousy, and not enlightened by joy. He had been trapped by negativity, and not freed by positivity. He realized that he had been given a gift. He had been given a lesson, and not a punishment. He had been given an opportunity, and not a problem. He had been given a miracle, and not a curse. He realized that he had a choice. He could choose to be jealous, or he could choose to be joyful. He could choose to be bitter, or he could choose to be better. He could choose to be hateful, or he could choose to be grateful. He realized that he had a brother. He had a brother who loved him, and not a brother who hated him. He had a brother who helped him, and not a brother who hurt him. He had a brother who was a miracle, and not a brother who was a mistake. He realized that he had a story. He had a story that was about jealousy, and not about joy. He had a story that was about darkness, and not about light. He had a story that was about hate, and not about love.