"And what does that mean?" Her eyes widen, and her eyebrows rise in surprise. The girl clearly doesn't expect such a turn of events. Inside, I am boiling with excitement.
"It means exactly what it meant when you showed it to me."
The girl falls silent, lost in thought. Her gaze grows distant, as if she is returning to that moment. Her lips part slightly, and her eyes cloud over, as though she is trying to grasp fleeting memories.
"Two weeks? Will your wish last two weeks as well?" Katrin asks with a note of disbelief, but also with a touch of hope in her voice. She looks at me, trying to decipher the riddle.
"Yes," I confirm. "Exactly two weeks."
"Don't keep me in suspense — what kind of wish is it that will last so long?" Her voice grows more curious, but still with a note of confusion. Her eyes sparkle, and her lips tremble slightly from inner tension.
Upon learning that we will have to spend the next two weeks together, Rebel Girl perks up. Her eyes gleam, and although she tries to maintain her composure, a faint blush appears on her cheeks.
"I came up with it before you declared your wish. I was thinking about how I struggle with girls — I have no experience, no knowledge. I want you to help me with that." This sounds like a confession, and I feel warmth spreading inside me from finally saying it out loud.
"I have to find you a girlfriend in two weeks and help you in your relationship?" Her voice carries a note of sadness, and her eyes dim.
"No, you misunderstood. You will become my girlfriend for two weeks."
For a moment, silence fills the room. I cannot tear my gaze away from her face, trying to catch every emotion.
"What? Wait, what?" Her voice is full of confusion, and her eyes widen in shock.
"My wish is for you to be my girlfriend. Then I will have experience," I repeat my words, trying to stay calm even though I am boiling inside. I clench my fists to hide the trembling; I know it is a risk, but I also know that it could change everything.
"Are you out of your mind? Me and your girlfriend?" She shakes her head, her voice sounds ironic, but in her eyes — confusion.
"I don't know anything. You promised, so fulfill it."
Katrin freezes, her gaze becoming serious. She tries to understand if I am joking or speaking seriously. Then she sighs and crosses her arms over her chest. The girl rolls her eyes, but the corners of her lips twitch, betraying a hidden smile, as if she is trying to hide her true attitude toward this situation. She realizes that she has trapped herself and now is forced to play by my rules.
"Fine, I said it — I will do it. But you — you're a real manipulator," she says with a light reproach. "So, now I have to go on dates with you, like a real couple?"
"Exactly," I smirk, feeling a pleasant excitement. "But don't worry, I won't be too demanding. Just be yourself… with a few small changes."
"With changes, huh?" she raises an eyebrow, clearly doubting my words. "Well, we'll see how long you last with my 'be yourself'."
"I am sure I'll manage," I answer firmly, hiding my nervousness.
"You'll officially announce that I'm your boyfriend and will go on dates with me throughout this time. And then you can tell everyone that we broke up," I continue to set the terms.
"The second part is clear and I accept it. But the first one… How am I supposed to announce it? Walk into the institute and shout it loudly, or what?" The girl crosses her arms over her chest, raising an eyebrow, but her voice carries a light mockery.
"No, just if they ask, you have to say that I'm your boyfriend. That's all," I shrug in response.
"Alright, I agree."
"I am glad you agreed so quickly. By the way, tomorrow we'll go — we'll change your wardrobe," I smile, already knowing what changes await her, and my voice carries confidence that she can no longer back out.
"What does 'change' mean? What don't you like about how I dress?" Her eyes narrow, and a sense of hurt appears in her voice.
"I don't mind," I raise my hands in a placating gesture, "but since you are my girlfriend, you should look the part for this whole time."
"Oh, well of course, how could it be without that," she snorts, but a spark of interest flashes in her eyes. "Are you planning to turn me into a doll?"
"No, I'll just make it so you look even better than usual. You are already beautiful, but why not add a little variety?"
She snorts, shaking her head:
"With requests like that, you won't find yourself a girlfriend."
I smirk, leaning a little closer, and without breaking eye contact, I point my finger at her:
"There, I've already found one."
"Fine, fine. I'll embarrass myself for two weeks — and you'll get off my back. But if you choose something terrible, I'll refuse immediately," she rolls her eyes, having surrendered, but her voice carries irony. "Will there be any other requests?"
"It's a deal. And one more thing: we are changing your sleep schedule. You will sleep like a normal person."
"That's going too far!" Rebel Girl protests. "What, are you my personal healthy lifestyle coach now?"
"For two weeks — yes. And one more thing — no skipping classes. You will go with me to all lectures."
"This is revenge, right?" Katrin narrows her eyes, her voice carrying mockery. "You are definitely taking revenge on me for something! It can't just be for no reason!"
"I didn't promise you fun for these two weeks," I grin. "So you'll have to try."
"You're a risky guy. You just want to die, right?" Her voice is as cold as a knife blade. "Do you realize you won't live to see your meeting with Ivan? I'll kill you immediately after these two weeks."
Her eyes sparkle with fury, but a shadow of doubt lingers in the depths.
"Now, why are you getting so heated, my girlfriend?" My voice sounds soft, almost affectionate. My eyes look at her with such warmth that she can barely restrain the desire to look away. "Maybe you'll even like it. You'll move onto the right path."
"You'd better watch your step on that 'right path'," Katrin narrows her eyes. "Otherwise, you'll be hit by a train. In the form of me."
Her words carry a threat, but a strange tenderness breaks through it, as if she doesn't know what she wants herself.
"Be careful, or you might not want to stop being my girlfriend after these two weeks," I say with a smirk, but a sincere hope can be read in my eyes. As if I am trying to look into her soul, to understand what she actually feels.
"You talk as if you've already won. Let's see what you'll lure me with so that I stay your girlfriend."
I stand up and slowly walk toward her. Each step is confident, yet cautious, as if I am afraid to scare her away. I gently place my hand on her waist, pulling her closer softly but firmly.
"With myself. I will lure you with myself," confidence and a plea ring in my voice. "You yourself will want us not to break up. And I promise to do everything for that."
A struggle flickers in her eyes — anger gives way to something else, warm and deep.
"You… are too confident," Katrin exhales. Her hands, which should have pushed me away, remain motionless.
"Maybe," I smile, catching her gaze. "But I believe that there can be something more between us. And you feel it too, don't you?"