Cap 5

A Wednesday, May 16, night sky, cool air, a boy and a girl alone in a college classroom.

It was 7:10 P.M.

Elios, the smartest in the class, whose grades never dropped below "A+" had forgotten his exhibition model that the teacher asked us to make, and, because of that mistake of his, we had to do a new project for the science talent day. But what was I doing there? Well... I had also forgotten the model. So the teacher told us that we had to work together on the new project.

That day, I was the one who broke the ice, to calm things down and lower the tension of awkwardness. The fact that a girl and a boy, or vice versa, were alone, absolutely alone, you could say... only the daring ones would have a sex scene right here.

-Elios... wouldn't you like to finish the project tomorrow? It's already after 6 o'clock.

- What do you mean by "tomorrow"? On the contrary, if you want to rest all day tomorrow, you should finish what you started the same day.

-Have you always been like that? I mean, you know, addicted to study?

-It's not addiction, I'm responsible, which is different. Did you finish your part or are you going to keep talking nonsense?

-I can't get along with you, you need to distract yourself a little, too much study is not good, you know? If you keep this up, someday you're going to explode.

I was telling him from my own experience, I was like Elios, until Alex told me the same thing I just told Elios, and yes, I did explode.

-Blondina, have you finished your part? - The look he gave me, Elios definitely wanted to collapse.

-If you want to get it off your chest, just do it, I'm listening - I know I'm persistent, but it's clear that Elios wanted to collapse.

-If you didn't want to do this job you would have said so sooner, you're wasting my time. - Yep, I was already very, very angry.

-I'll tell you what, tomorrow you and I, we'll go to the internet cafe and finish that project. It's Friday and it's two days before Monday, until then, the project will be finished, okay?

-Damn it Brown, what's it costing you to finish your damn part now? -Why do you want to drag this out?

-Because of you, Elios. You need to rest and don't worry, it won't take long at all. Give me your number and we'll meet at what time.

- 9180736***

-I sent you a message, tomorrow I'll send you the address. See you, Elios.

-...

***

-I thought you wouldn't come. -I don't believe it, I thought Elios would do the last part alone, but here he is, having a coffee with me.

-If you've already finished your part, give it to me so I can write it and not waste any more time.

Cold and cutting, as usual.

- Why are you like that? -He always brings that scowl and his stony temper.

- What do you mean?

- Like that! Cold and distant! I brought you here - besides finishing the project - to play a little game.

-Let's see, yesterday you made it very clear to me that we would take almost no time at all, and yet you keep dragging it out longer.

-Well... Here it is, take it and let's get it over with.

-...

How do I get her to stay here and play with me? It's clear that when I'm done writing, he's going to walk away like it's nothing, he doesn't care a bit. How am I going to convince him?

-Well, I'm done.

-That's good. -And now he's leaving.

- You don't have stage fright, do you? Do you get tongue-tied? Can you memorize your whole part?

-One question at a time... -God. And no, I don't have any of that. I've already learned my part.

-That's good, I was afraid you were going to mess it all up. Anyway, I'll see you Monday.

- I beg your pardon? If you're going to leave like that, at least have the decency not to irritate your group, don't you think?

And he left... just like that, just walked out. What an annoying guy! Ugh, I hate that...jerk.

***

- Where were you? Did you have any idea what would happen to my grade because of you? -He looked at me really bad, with the face of a demon himself.

-Elios, I'm already here, no need to exaggerate.

-Tch, whatever. It's our turn, let's go. And don't ruin it.

-Bastard...

At the presentation, Elios was going as usual... being... Elios. While I, I was shitting myself with nerves. Normally I'd never had stage fright or embarrassment speaking in front of people, but the principals were here! If I did anything wrong, Elios would never forgive me. And I hate it when people hate me, even though sometimes I don't give a shit, but if Elios gets mad, it will be my fault, and with guilt...I can't deal with guilt.

And so thinking about stupid things, I realized that Elios had shut up. I turned my face to see him and.... his gaze, it was like he was going to kill me right then and there!

SHIT! I FORGOT WHAT I SHOULD SAY. DAMN IT, DAMN IT....

I just babbled, it was the only thing I could do, if I looked at Elios, I'd probably poop myself from fright. Oh, what an idiot I am, this was why Elios told me to try harder than 1000%.

-Ah....Em...w-well.... - I had no choice, I had to ask for reinforcements, I wanted to take out the little piece of paper I had, if I read only a part of it, I would remember everything.

But before I took out my little sheet of paper, Elios stood in front of me and spoke a small part of it.

-Th-thank you, Elio--NO! The... his face, the look on his face, my voice went out, without exaggeration I had to take a deep breath and not screw it up again.

-Ah... As I was saying, The benefits of this plant....

***

- What the fuck happened to you there? For God's sake, Blondina, do you know what kind of trouble you got me into? You're an idiot, you stupid idiot!

- Hey! Watch what you're saying, none of this would have happened if--

- If you hadn't insisted on going to that damn internet cafe! No, even worse. None of this would have happened... If you had studied a little more instead of wasting your time on bullshit!

- You know what? I've had it, I'm done being nice to you, you don't deserve even a fucking inch of friendship with me. Oh! I almost forgot, shove your fucking grades up your ass! I don't give a shit!

-Of course you give a shit, you got it easy, you always have. Stupid smug rich bitch.

- What are you talking about?

- You know, Blondina? People like you never change. The rich have it easy, I mean, we don't all have the same opportunities, I always try hard and nothing changes, I live thinking day by day, when will be the day I decide to kill myself? Why don't I just kill myself? How much longer will I have to put up with this shit? And countless other things. But you... you always had it easy, I envy you ..... To be honest, Blondina, I envy you, I wish I could have it easy like you but I can't.

At that moment, I realized that Elios was right, I never really thought about what his life is like, or how he feels or what goes on behind his life. Until now I had just misjudged him, and think...that he was just tired, tired of dealing with college or his everyday life. But, that wasn't the only thing I got right.

-You did well, Elios.

- Huh? -His look, he was confused.

-You blew up. But, I'm glad you did it because....

I stood up and walked over to him, grabbed his arm, pulled him and, finally, hugged him.

-You're not alone anymore, Elios. If it's any consolation -And as an apology for ruining your presentation- Unburden yourself all you want on my shoulder. I'm not letting you go until you do.

That day, was the first time Elios opened up to me.

It was the first time I heard Elios cry like a baby.

It was the first time he held me like there was no tomorrow.

It was the first time... I opened my heart to someone.

-It's going to be okay, Elios...