When I walked into the classroom, still feeling the warmth of Rafael's hand in mine, Evelyn lifted her head right away. Her smile appeared instantly, wide and bright, as if she were genuinely happy to see me, and somehow that pulled me back into the world.
— Helena! — she called softly, gesturing for me to sit. — Recovered from Saturday yet?
For a second, my mind almost laughed.If she knew about my Sunday night, she'd think Saturday had been a vacation.
— I'm fine — I answered, trying to sound natural.
Evelyn leaned a little closer, like someone holding a piece of gossip ready to explode.
— You have no idea — she said, eyes sparkling. — I met a guy at the bar, after you left.
I turned to her immediately, surprised.
— Really? And then?
Her smile grew even wider.
— He called me on Sunday. Like… actually called. Didn't text.
— Aaaaah — I let out, excited for her. — That's really good, Evelyn! Are you seeing him again?
She shrugged, but the smile gave everything away.
— He asked me out tonight. I'm thinking… maybe I'll go.
— You have to go — I said without even thinking. — If he called the next day, that's already a huge point in his favor.
Evelyn laughed, biting her lip, shy and happy.
— Yeah… and he's cute.
She watched me for half a second, like she'd noticed something cross my face.
— By the way… — she narrowed her eyes, suspicious. — You're… different today.
Before I could answer, the professor walked into the room, pulling her attention forward, but not before she shot me one of those looks that promise questions later.
The rest of the morning was a blur.
I tried to follow the lecture, but the professor's words slipped through my mind like water through fingers. Every time I tried to focus, my thoughts drifted back to yesterday.
I was already lost in my notebook when my phone vibrated on my lap.
Rafael:Do you want to have lunch with me?Outside the university.There's a place nearby.
My heart jumped so hard I almost dropped my phone.
I spent way too long looking for a cute emoji, which felt ridiculous, but I wanted to answer that way.I ended up sending a "✨😊" that felt silly and perfect at the same time.
As soon as class ended, I stood up so fast that Evelyn nearly jumped in her seat.
— Wow, easy there — she laughed. — Cafeteria before it gets crowded?
— I can't today — I said, already stuffing my things into my bag. — Something came up.
She raised an eyebrow, suspicious, but before she could ask anything, I was already heading toward the door.
Except I didn't make it.
A touch on my arm stopped me.
— Helena — Daniel said, urgency in his voice. — I wanted… to ask you to have lunch with me today. There's something I need to talk to you about.
I opened my mouth to answer — but couldn't.
Because at that exact second, I saw Rafael on the other side of the hallway.
Standing there… motionless. His eyes fixed on Daniel. And his face… hard, closed off. He looked like he was using every ounce of self-control not to cross the hallway and pull Daniel away from me.
My heart raced.
— I… sorry, Daniel — I said, gently freeing my arm. — I can't today. I really have to go.
And I left before he could insist.I walked down the hallway feeling Rafael's gaze burning into me.
When I got close, his body was tense. Shoulders rigid, breath short, jaw locked. He didn't say anything… just looked at me.
I stopped in front of him, far enough not to cross any boundary we'd just agreed to keep.
— Are you okay? — he asked, his voice low so no one else could hear.
The question was simple, but the way he asked it… nothing about it was simple.
— I am — I answered.
He nodded, never taking his eyes off mine.
— Did he bother you?
— No… Rafael, calm down. He just wanted to talk to me.
He frowned slightly.
— It didn't look like just that — he murmured, glancing for a second toward where Daniel stood. — Especially after the way he kept insisting in front of the bar that day.
— It doesn't matter — I said softly. — I told him I couldn't… and I came.
Rafael took a deep breath.
He looked away for a moment, and when he met my eyes again, his gaze was calmer.
— Shall we? — he asked.
I nodded.
And we walked side by side. Not touching… not holding hands.But close enough that I felt the warmth of his arm brushing mine with every step.
It felt like a contained fire…a fire both of us were trying to hold back.
Not very successfully.