The first day of the new semester began like any other… new students lost, first-years excited… I thought nothing had changed… until she appeared. Standing by the window of classroom 2-B, with the sun shining behind her long bluish hair — though it was dark, it shone endlessly. It was as if a star had fallen from the sky and landed in my life.
— "Renzooo!" — Damian shouted.
— "Wow, you're up early today, I think it's going to rain money." — I said, laughing.
It wasn't very common for Damian to be at school this early. Normally, he arrived late.
— "What are you looking at? Ha, ha! You're looking at Aina, am I wrong, little Renzo?"
— "N-no… not at all," — I replied.
— "Lies! It's impossible not to look at her, she's so beautiful — her fair skin, her long dark-blue hair. She's gorgeous, don't you think?" — Damian said.
— "But the only bad thing is she's turned down everyone who's confessed to her. She's beautiful, smart, popular, and part of the student council. We don't stand a chance…" — Damian said, a little sad and flustered.
Aina was a beautiful girl. At first, I didn't pay much attention to her, but I think… I like her. She's way out of my league though — at least, that's what I thought.
— "S-so, anyway, which classroom did we get?" — I asked.
— "Oh right, and here we are wasting time — let's check the lists." —
(My head: "Please be 2-B, please be 2-B…")
In first year, we had been in the same class. In fact, we even sat together. And if we ended up in the same class again, according to the institute's friendship rules, we'd sit together again…
— "So, Damian, did you check yet?"
— "Y-yes, yes, yes! We're together!" — Damian said.
— "Great! But which class?" — I asked, praying it would be 2-B.
— "2… 2… 2… 2-B, yes, 2-B!"
— "What a relief. And who else is there?" — I asked.
— "Yes! We're with Emi and Yume." — Damian replied.
Emi and Yume were very close friends. It was nice to be in the same class. Though I already knew Aina was in our class, I just wanted to confirm.
— "And well, just as I expected, Aina's in our class too." — Damian said.
— "G-g-great, right?" — I said.
— "What's wrong? Why do you have that silly look on your face?" — Damian asked.
— "No, it's nothing…" —
What a great way to start the semester…
— "Emiiiiii! Over here!" — Damian shouted joyfully.
— "Hiiiii, Renzo and Damian! Tell me the truth, which class are you in?" — Emi asked, laughing.
— "We're, I mean, you, Renzo, Yume, and I — we're all together in 2-B," — Damian said.
— "How exciting! This is going to be so much fun!" — Emi said.
— "And Yume? Skipping the first day of class?" — I asked, laughing.
— "I don't know. I haven't messaged her today. I'll call her now." — Emi said.
VOICEMAIL — VOICEMAIL — VOICEMAIL…
"Three times to voicemail! Is that incredibly good or bad?" — Emi said.
— "Well, she must have her reasons. Wait, she texted me: 'Dami, I can't come because of a cold, tell Emi I lost her number, sorry.'" —
RING — RING — RING
— "Time to go to class. Let's go, we don't want to be the last ones." — I said.
— "Yes, yes!" — Emi and Damian said.
We headed to the classroom, passing first through the lower grades on the first floor, then climbing the stairs and entering our room.
When we walked in, the classroom was half full. The teacher hadn't arrived yet. I sat down next to her — it was like a miracle, sitting beside such a beautiful girl. I must have done something good in another life, I whispered, laughing to myself.
As I sat down, she said:
— "Late again? You never change, do you?"
— "No, no, not at all. I was just looking at the list with Damian." — I said.
— "Ha, ha, ha, alright," — Aina laughed gently, with such calm and serenity that I felt something in my heart.
"ALRIGHT STUDENTS, TAKE YOUR SEATS…"
And so the minutes, hours, and classes passed — math, chemistry — but before the break, we had P.E.…
— "Renzo, these sports uniforms are so comfortable," — Damian said.
— "Hey yeah, you're right. They're really comfy, so light, almost weightless." — I replied.
— "So, changing the topic, have you talked to Aina? You two seem pretty close — I'm jealous." — Damian said.
— "Well, yeah, a bit… hey, no, I mean just talking, don't make that face." — I said.
"OKAY, ACCORDING TO THE SCHEDULE, TODAY IS VOLLEYBALL."
While the two groups played volleyball, I was also on the court. I saw her again, and distracted as I was, the ball hit me on the head.
— "Renzooo! There goes the ball!" — murmurs.
— "He passed out!" — murmurs.
After a few minutes, I left the gym to get some air. But Aina also came out, walked up to me, and asked:
— "Renzo, are you okay? How are you feeling?"
— "H-hi Aina, I'm better now, just a bit of a headache. But why did you leave class? Are you feeling unwell?" —
— "No, on the contrary, I'm fine. I came for you. Here."
She handed me a bottle of cold water. With this heat, it was perfect. But was it really for me? She was worried… about me? I couldn't believe it. I must be dreaming — a dream I don't want to wake up from.
— "No, it's not necessary," — I said, a little embarrassed.
— "Take it and drink. It's for you, don't worry." — Aina said, her voice calm.
— "If you don't take it, I'll be upset," — she added.
— "Well, thank you," — I replied.
— "Renzo, I think we should splash some water on ourselves. This heat is intense. Let's go!" —
We went to the sinks — just to splash our faces and hands a bit. But from nerves, I soaked my entire head. Aina looked at me with concern.
"RENZO! RENZO!"
I heard someone calling my name. The voice was familiar — yes, it was Yume. She was arriving late — five hours late.
— "Yume? Weren't you staying home with a cold? You're five hours late," — I said.
— "Yes, you're right, but since I felt better, I wanted to come." — Yume said.
— "Well, now you know we're all in class 2-B." —
— "Yes, Emi told me. But you're soaked. Come here," — Yume said.
Yume grabbed my head and dried it with her towel… Aina gave her a strange look, as if… was she jealous?
— "W-well, shall we go now, Renzo?" — Aina said, a little flustered.
— "Yeah, you're right. See you, Yume," — I said.
I saw Aina shooting daggers at Yume with her eyes, and I thought she might scold me or something, but…
— "Is your head okay? I saw you got it completely wet. Maybe it hurts, and that'll help." — Aina said.
Ha-ha-ha, how sweet. She said it with such calm and tenderness, it melted my heart.
— "Well, Renzo, can I ask you something?" — Aina said.
— "Yes, of course."
— "You're very good friends with Yume, right?"
— "Yes, but why do you ask?" — I said.
— "Well, I didn't think you'd have a female friend, much less be able to handle one—"
— "Well, before her and Emi, I already had a female friend." — I said.
— "Oh really? And who is she?" — Aina asked.
— "You, Aina. You're my friend… aren't you?"
— "Y-yes! Yes, of course!" — Aina said, at first a little embarrassed, but then excited.
HER BLUSHING SMILE IS THE BEST THING THAT'S EVER HAPPENED TO ME…
Credits:
Translation Spanish to English: Carlos Damnez.
Author Spanish version: Carlos Damnez