Two weeks passed. Pires and Anna were still dating. But things felt different now. Anna was more quiet. She did not smile as much.
One day after school, Anna wanted to talk. They sat on a bench outside.
Pires, she said. I feel like you are different.
What do you mean? Pires asked. He was worried.
You used to listen to me, Anna said. Now you just try to kiss me all the time. You act like Brain told you to act. You are not yourself.
Pires did not know what to say. It was true. Brain told him to be more bold. Brain said girls liked confident boys.
I am just trying to be a good boyfriend, Pires said.
Being a good boyfriend means being you,"Anna said. She looked sad. Not being like Brain.
The next day, Pires told Brain what happened.
Brain laughed. She is just testing you. Do not listen to her. Girls say things they do not mean.
But what if she is right? Pires asked.
Trust me, Brain said. I know about these things. You need to show her you are in charge.
A few days later, Pires tried to kiss Anna in the hallway. She turned her head away.
Not now, Pires, she said. I am not in the mood.
Pires felt angry. He thought she was being difficult. He listened to Brain instead of listening to Anna.
That weekend, Anna sent Pires a text message. It was long. It said she needed a break. She said she missed the old Pires. The quiet boy who listened.
Pires showed the text to Brain.
See? Brain said. I told you. Girls are complicated. Do not worry. There are many other girls.
Pires felt sad but also angry. He thought he was doing everything right. Why was it not working?
He did not understand. He was trying to be the boy Brain created. But that boy was not the one Anna liked. The real Pires was disappearing. And the girl who liked the real Pires was disappearing too.