Tuesday started just like always, with the usual rush to avoid being late. When I walked into class 2-B, Aina was already sitting in her seat, her bag neatly arranged and her notebooks lined up as always.
— Good morning, Renzo. — she said with a slight smile.
— G-good morning, Aina. —
I sat next to her and, though I tried to act normal, I couldn't help but feel nervous.
The first couple of hours went by quietly. Math, then Biology. Damian, as always, yawned so much that even the teacher glared at him several times. Emi was trying to copy everything down, doodling strange drawings in the margins of her notebook, and Yume… well, she was as responsible at school as ever.
— Hey, Renzo. — Aina whispered, showing me her notebook. — Is this chart right? I think I messed up the lines.
— Mmm… no, actually you did it right, I'm the one who got it wrong. — I answered, a bit embarrassed.
Aina laughed softly, then kept writing, while I struggled to focus.
At recess, we went out to the courtyard. Damian threw himself on the grass again, saying he "needed solar energy to survive." Emi dashed off to the cafeteria, while Yume walked calmly with me and Aina, without making a scene.
— Sometimes I think Damian lives on another planet. — Aina said with an amused tone.
— Totally. — I replied.
Yume nodded silently.
The three of us sat down on a bench, and for a moment, there was nothing to say. The silence wasn't uncomfortable… in fact, it felt natural. A gentle breeze, the laughter of other students, and Aina looking up at the sky while twirling a strand of her hair.
— Hey, Renzo… — she said suddenly.
— Yeah? —
— Do you like this class more than last year's? —
— Uh… I think so, although… — I glanced at her from the corner of my eye — the best part is that we're still together.
She blushed ever so slightly, and I quickly pretended to check my notes so I wouldn't look like an idiot.
The afternoon went by peacefully. Last period, Literature. Emi kept trying to pass notes to Yume, but she just tucked them away without laughing, as if she wanted to stay composed in front of everyone.
When the day ended and we went home, Yume swung the door open, threw her bag onto the couch, and shouted:
— Brotheeerrr, I'm hungry, make me something! —
— Hey! What happened to that serious attitude from school? — I said, surprised.
— That's my "serious version," only for school. Here, I'm in my territory, so deal with it. — she said with a mischievous grin as she flopped onto the sofa.
I sighed in defeat.
— Unbelievable… at school you seem like a model student, and here… you're like a little kid.
— So what? — she said, pulling a blanket over herself. — Only here I can really be myself.
I smiled without saying another word. The truth was, even if it annoyed me, it also made me feel less alone.
And so another quiet day came to an end, full of classes, shared silences… and the contrasts of the people around us.
Credits:
Translation Spanish to English: Carlos Damnez.
Author Spanish version: Carlos Damnez