Chapter 3

MARCOS

Gabriela and Alex had already been dating for about a month and she looked happier than she had been for a long time, with that I don't mean she wasn't happy, just now she's much happier than she was after what happened with Alex.

Sara stopped distrusting Alex so much after a few weeks. Luckily for me, I managed to convince her Gabriela would be happy with him and she gave him the benefit of the doubt at least. That's not to say she trusted Alex at all yet, but I didn't ask for them to become great friends, just that she didn't treat him the way she was doing, I know Gabriela would like that. Clara was the opposite of Sara. She wasn't bothered at all by their relationship, in fact, she was happy about it.

Carlota already got along well with him. It's clear that what had happened between Gabriela and Alex had been forgotten, at least for the moment. They even made jokes and everything, until Gabriela didn't like that joke that brought to light the relationship, they had years ago. At first Alex was stunned watching Carlota and me and even more so when he found out we were together when, according to the gossip, he was with Gabriela. 

At that moment he got bad, but Gabriela made sure he was the same Alex as always, although I think he wasn't very convinced with what Gabriela was telling him, I think he forgot about it so as not to worry her anymore.

These two had a relationship I never thought I could see. Whenever one moved, the other did it, I don't know if they noticed it or not, the thing is that they did it and it's funny, or at least for me.

Well, as far as I'm concerned, I'm still in love with Clara. She didn't know of course, I had no idea how to tell her I loved her, that she was one of the most important people in my life for me and all that. It's also clear Gabriela knew, and not because I told her exactly. She always told me that she would help me without a problem, but I didn't want to get her into this, I had more things to keep an eye on, to be honest, and I didn't want to bother her.

At last, the bell rang for half-time. The classes I had so far been a bit boring, and I had already finished the exams by the moment. I was waiting for Gabriela and the others in the usual place and the truth is I didn't even realize when they arrived, but there they were.

"Marcos, are you okay?" And since they didn't notice something was wrong with me, it wasn't Gabriela who asked, it was Sara. I was just bored, it's not that nothing was happening to me and that every day I could less with what I felt for Clara, I had no idea what to do with all this I feel for her.

"Yes, I'm fine." I assured "Are you sure?" asked Clara "Yes, only that the classes I had were boring and I kind of got sleepy, nothing more." Apparently, they believed me, everyone except Gabriela. How do I know? From the look on her face, I knew her well enough to know when she believes someone or not, I was lucky she let me see it. 

It took us a couple of minutes to be out of college and we were always close to where we were when Gabriela grabbed my arm. "Guys, can you leave me and Marcos alone for a moment?" asked Gabriela "Is something going on, beautiful?" asked Alex and she denied "No, don't worry, everything is fine."

They kissed and left without another word. I know she's going to ask me what's wrong with me, but what I told her is true, even if it's half true. "Are you going to tell me what's wrong with you or do I have to guess?" she asked, crossing her arms. "Nothing happens to me"

"And I'm the queen of England now," she said, rolling her eyes. "You won't be, but really, there's nothing wrong with me." I said, "You know I won't tell anyone" My best friend replied, "There's really nothing wrong with me."

"I don't believe you; you've been weird for a few days." she said "Not that I know." I replied, shrugging my shoulders and looking in my mind, some way to convince her everything is fine, but it would be complicated with her "That you and I know yes, that the rest of them realized today has nothing to do with it. Tell me about it."

"I don't want to bother you Gabriela, it's nothing important." I replied "Everything that happens to you is important, so let it go if you don't want me to put myself in bitch mode to get out of you what happens." she said, and I had to laugh, because if I knew anything about Gabriela, it's that she wasn't able to put herself in bitch mode "Okay, you don't need to go into bitch mode as you say."

"Well, come on, tell me" She insisted, and I realized I wasn't going to convince her, so I took a breath of air before answering "It's Clara." I said after a few seconds "What's wrong with her?" she asked "That every day I love her more and I don't know how to tell her."

"I told you more than once I would help you with that, I don't really have a problem," she confirmed and I shook my head, because I didn't want her to help me. "But I want to tell her not you telling Clara." I insisted, because it wasn't the first time, we'd had this talk. "You helped me with the Alex thing! There will be something I can help you with."

"I don't think so Gabriela." I said, "Yes, of course I do. First, you must pluck up the courage and tell her, the rest will come itself, you'll see." she said "That's the most complicated thing Gabriela, tell her." I insisted and I could see how a small smile appeared on her face.

"Do you think I don't know? I remind you I used to deny I loved Alex and everyone who told me, I know what you're going through, really. Sometimes a little outside help can help." she replied, and I denied, "If I need it, I promise I'll ask you for help."

"You'd better be, but now change that face, man. I'm sure you'll get over that soon." she replied "I hope so, but now can we leave before Alex thinks you lied to him?" I said and she rolled her eyes "Alex won't worry, don't worry you."

"Of course, he'll worry, he always does, and he will." I said, because if there's one thing Alex did, it's worrying about her more than anything "Okay, he might do it, but he'll get over it. But now something important and I hope you will please comply with it."

"Sure, what's wrong?" she asked, starting to walk toward college. "You're not going to do anything to help me with Clara." I said and she nodded.

I don't know if I should believe her or not, but I was going to give her the benefit of the doubt. I know if she does something it will be to help me and all that, but I want to do it on my own. I'll come up with something to tell her at some point and just in case I really needed help, I'd turn to Gabriela, she was my last card to play.