Chapter 3 My decisions.

Narrated by Leonardo Álvares.

"Don't worry, Leonardo, my friend. How have you been?" asked that guy. I never thought I'd end up being friends with the nerdy guy, the brother of the cute girl. But my relationship with her had ended; Ana had found another guy who treated her the way she deserved.

"Fine, I don't have much to say. And how's your sister doing?" I asked, smiling.

"She still hates you, if that's what you wanted to hear. But I'm not one to hold grudges, and what you two had doesn't interest me at all". he said, smiling. I guess this guy won't leave me alone. He probably thinks that by being by my side, he'll become as popular as I am. But that won't be his strength.

"I understand. I have to get to class". I responded, trying to avoid him. In the distance, I spotted my friends, the guys I usually hung out with during breaks.

"I was heading there too. Do you mind if we keep walking together to the corner?" he asked. I had no choice but to accept. I knew the guys would tease him, but I wasn't going to say no to him. I guess I felt sorry for Agustín, which is why I hadn't told him that I can't stand him at all.

"No problem". I said, smiling half-heartedly. Though I doubt he'd notice.

"Can I ask you something?" he asked. I nodded. "Where have you been these past few weeks?" he mentioned, obviously trying to avoid the topic. But that wouldn't be my response.

"I've been busy with some projects". I mentioned. "Sometimes my father asks for my opinion and my brother's". I mentioned again.

"Wow, buddy... if I hadn't known you for over a year, I'd think you were hiding from me". he replied. I shook my head, and we kept walking until we had to part ways. It was really uncomfortable for others to see me with one of the nerdiest guys in the university, but I didn't want to hurt his feelings.

Arriving in class, I sat next to my friends, and we started talking about the girls they had spent the weekend with. We loved discussing this stuff, the more details, the better.

"I was with a blonde... oh man, she had some curves". Esteban said. He was the son of one of my father's business partners, so we'd known each other our whole lives.

Comments like these were what we heard every morning from the guys. I guess it was true that we were promiscuous, living day by day without caring about the potential consequences. But it didn't matter. Each of us was cautious in our own way.

We left class; it was more exhausting than usual. We headed to my house; we had to finish a project we had almost completed, but we still needed to meet up.

We often did the same thing. After that, we would discuss our new conquests again. I guess it was a hobby or a way to prove who among us was the best at winning hearts, only to break them later. It meant nothing more or less to me.

Message from Camila: Hi. -It was a message from that girl, Camila. I smiled; she'd surely fall into my hands too.

Message from Leonardo: Hi, what are you up to? -I responded while trying to pay attention to what Esteban was saying.

Message from Camila: Nothing interesting. -she replied.

She caused something strange in me, something I couldn't quite figure out. But that wouldn't stop me; I wanted to see her. If she looked that exciting in her pictures, I could only imagine how she must be in person. To see her up close, to undress her, and to feel her skin against mine. Just thinking about it made my skin tingle.

We watched soccer on TV, and after that, everyone went home. Finally, tomorrow was the weekend, which meant I'd get a break from the university's show. But I'd be diving into the world where my father wanted to see me working-his businesses. Since I was a child, he'd told me that my brother and I would work there and take the family business even higher than he had.

Narrated by Camila Sáez

I was in my room, resting, thinking, trying to understand everything that had happened today, trying to understand why Leonardo had contacted me. And even more importantly, what had happened with Adrián. I must have done something to confuse him, but I can't remember what it might have been.

I checked my phone; there were messages from him and also from Leonardo. But I wouldn't reply today, not today. I don't want to fall asleep with that feeling if things go wrong with my friendship with Julián. As for Julián, he hasn't even bothered to talk to me. I guess, in that sense, Adrián was right. There's no reason for me to continue a relationship that doesn't lead anywhere.

I didn't want to text him now either, as Adrián would probably notice it. So, I decided to face those three men who were driving me somewhat hysterical and paranoid tomorrow...

The next day, I woke up as usual, prepared my breakfast, and then sat down to read a bit. I loved reading, especially those novels where love is always stronger and more enduring than any obstacles those couples face. I suppose one day I'll find a love like that, or at least, that's what I hoped for. I had the illusion that we were all born with the possibility of finding a love like that.

I grabbed my phone and started responding to the messages I had left unanswered the previous night. I started with Julián.

Message from Julián: Good morning, I'm off to work. -he said. I knew I had to end this.

Message from Camila: We need to talk. You know this isn't working; this relationship won't get us anywhere. -I mentioned.

Message from Julián: Why do you say that? -he asked.

Message from Camila: Look at us, Julián. We haven't seen each other for more than two months, and you barely respond to my messages. At best, you say good morning or good night. We can't call this a relationship, not even a friendship. -I said. I couldn't help a tear from falling from my eyes. Though my words sounded as cold as ice, the truth was that it was still hard for me to say them. I guess, in the end, I did care about him.

Message from Julián: As you wish. -he responded.

Message from Julián: Goodbye. -he added.

Not even ten seconds passed before he blocked me on that social network. After that, I tried responding to Adrián. He had sent about ten messages, but I focused on the latest one.

Message from Adrián: I understand if you're upset or don't understand what I revealed to you yesterday. But if you wish and if you want to, we can forget it and pretend that our relationship continues as it was, as friends. I hope you see this message soon. -he had said. I hoped everything he was saying was true.

Message from Camila: Then, as a friend, I'll tell you that I've just ended my relationship with Julián. But I don't want things between us to become confused in the same way. I care about you as a friend or a brother, and that won't change. -I replied, hoping he'd take it as well as possible.

Message from Adrián: Alright. Camila, I'm glad to hear that you've broken up with that idiot who never appreciated you as the great woman you are. -he quickly replied, he was probably happy about the news I'd just given him.

Message from Camila: Well, thanks for the heartfelt words. -I responded.

Message from Adrián: It's the truth. Any man would be lucky to come across a woman half as good as you. -he mentioned again.

Message from Camila: Alright, I need to run some errands. -I finished, I couldn't let this conversation get out of hand.

I left my phone on the table for a while as I went to get something to eat. I woke up with terrible anxiety, and I didn't like feeling this way. The phone vibrated, and I checked what it was. It was Leonardo, so I replied almost immediately.

Message from Leonardo: Hi, you've been a little busy, it seems. -he wrote. I knew I should've replied sooner, but I'd postponed it for some reason. I didn't quite understand why, but well, now I'd write to him.

Message from Camila: Hi, yes, a bit busy, but I'm solving some things. I just hope everything goes the way I want it to. -I wrote.

Message from Leonardo: And what do you want? -he asked. What should I respond? Would he get confused?

Message from Camila: I just don't want things to spiral out of my control. -I replied, smiling at the screen.

Message from Leonardo: What does that mean? -he mentioned again. I wasn't sure if I should explain why or just leave him wondering. I didn't want to vent my problems to someone else I didn't know.

Message from Camila: Don't worry; I understand myself. -I replied.