Chapter 8: My Fear, My Weakness 

Chapter 8: My Fear, My Weakness

Part 1

The uncomfortable silence surrounding Adolfo was suffocating. Each passing second plunged him deeper into his thoughts, as if he were trapped in a current of uncertainty. Unable to speak, unable to escape the tide of emotions overwhelming him, his mind kept returning to the same place. "Did I really love the piano?" he wondered, recalling the determination that had guided him during his happiest years. "But what if I ever lost the ability to play..." His mind wandered to Matilda, to the pain she endured every day. Would he be able to understand her suffering?

Time marched on relentlessly. The laughter of students preparing to go home gradually faded, and the usual hustle and bustle of the school slowly disappeared. Finally, silence settled in the library, broken only by the monotonous ticking of a clock. Adolfo sank into that quiet, tangled in his insecurities.

Suddenly, the sound of the door opening snapped him out of his reverie. It was like a blow, sharp and unexpected, making him shudder. He lowered his gaze and hunched his shoulders, as if he wanted to disappear in the presence of whoever had just entered the room.

The person who had entered didn't walk past. Instead, they slowly approached Adolfo and stopped in front of him.

"I was looking for you."

Adolfo's heart skipped a beat at the sound of that voice. It was unmistakable. Sofía. A flood of emotions overwhelmed him, and his body tensed as if he had seen a ghost.

"Sofía... uh, did something happen?"

The words stumbled out of his mouth, hesitant and fragile. *What should I say? What should I do?* His thoughts spun in circles, trapped in confusion. The trembling in his hands grew more intense, as did the weakness in his legs, as if the simple act of standing were too much.

Sofía, ignoring his uncertainty, stared at him intently.

"I want to talk to you about something."

Without waiting for a response, she took his arm and pulled him firmly.

"Sofía, but I..."

The words died on his lips, unable to articulate what he wanted to say. He felt powerless, as if he had no control over the situation. Sofía dragged him along, determined.

"Stop!" Matilda's voice cut through the air like a sharp blade. "Can't you see he doesn't want to go with you?"

Matilda's words reached Adolfo like a ray of light in the darkness, pulling him out of the whirlwind in his mind. It was as if her voice had ignited a spark within him, a small but growing sense of strength.

Adolfo swallowed hard and took a deep breath, steeling himself. He couldn't keep letting himself be dragged along. He straightened up with more resolve and, without even realizing it, the words he had been so afraid to say finally came out.

"Sofía, could you let me go?"

Sofía looked at him in surprise, clearly caught off guard by the sudden request.

"Of course, I'm sorry," she said, releasing his arm.

Adolfo, feeling the weight of his fears dissipate slightly, adjusted his uniform with calm movements. He had regained control, even if only for a moment.

"Sorry for worrying you, Matilda," he said with a faint smile that reflected his newfound confidence. "See you tomorrow."

Matilda looked at him with a hint of pride but said nothing more. She simply nodded.

Adolfo, now more assured, turned to Sofía.

"Alright, let's go."

Part 2

Adolfo sighed as they entered the room.

"Sofía, can you tell me what we're doing in the music room?"

*What is she planning?*

"What are we doing?" she smiled uncomfortably. "It's one of the few empty classrooms, so..."

"Alright, I'm listening," he said as he walked over to a chair.

Once seated, he crossed his legs and closed his eyes, trying to stay calm. At that very moment, Sofía quietly locked the door, stood behind Adolfo, and embraced him. She leaned in closer and whispered in his ear.

"I love you, Adolfo," she said in a seductive tone. "I'm sorry about today. My parents have arranged a commitment with another guy. He's a good guy, but I can't stop thinking about you. I'm sorry if my words hurt you."

Part 3

Adolfo felt a knot form in his stomach. He wanted to push her away, to yell at her everything he was feeling—the frustration and anger that had been building up in his chest for so long. Sofía had played with his emotions, and now she was there, acting as if nothing had happened, as if he had no choice but to accept what she was offering.

But when he opened his mouth to say something, the words refused to come out. Instead, silence enveloped him, and his body tensed. It was impossible to ignore the weight of the love he felt for her, stronger than any anger or resentment. Even though he knew he should speak, that he should confront her, the fear of losing her paralyzed him.

"I can't..." he thought, resigned. He loved her too much. More than his anger, more than his pride.

Sofía, interpreting his silence as acceptance, hugged him tighter, pressing herself against him. Adolfo, defeated by his own feelings, simply let the moment pass. He closed his eyes, trying to convince himself that not everything was lost, that perhaps, deep down, Sofía truly loved him too.

"If you do this, I'll never be able to hate you," he thought.

After a few minutes, Sofía let go and stepped back, still looking at him.

"You know you've always been special to me," she said with a smile. "I never meant to hurt you."

Adolfo nodded, unable to respond. He knew those words weren't enough, but he couldn't do anything more. Not at that moment.

Sofía, satisfied with his silence, walked to the door and opened it.

"See you tomorrow, Adolfo," she said cheerfully before leaving the room.

Adolfo watched her leave without saying a word. Only when the door closed behind her did he allow his emotions to overflow. He slumped into the chair, exhausted, his heart heavy.

"I should have told her..." he thought bitterly, clenching his fists.

Part 4

As Sofía walked through the hallways, her expression was one of pure satisfaction. Her smile shone under the dim light coming through the windows, and her steps were light, as if a weight had been lifted. There was no trace of the discomfort she had shown in the music room.

She passed by a few students still lingering in the school and gave them a slight smile, not paying them much attention. She was too absorbed in her own thoughts, too pleased with herself. "Everything went as it should have..." she told herself.

The echo of her footsteps resonated in the empty hallways, accompanying her as she continued on her way. Outside, the sun was beginning to set on the horizon, painting the sky with shades of orange and pink, while Sofía walked on, satisfied and in control.