Chapter 3 What the heart says

Manuel felt that his heart was beating a thousand miles per hour. The pantry boy was there, staring at him. He hoped that he had not realized that he had been spied on for a month at his workplace.

- I didn't expect to find you here - the boy said to Manuel, approaching him - Do you remember me? I threw a ball at your head.

- Um... yes, I remember - said Manuel, trembling with nervousness - but I'm fine, I've suffered worse things.

- You don't mind if I sit down? I would like to talk to you.

- And what about your work?

- The thing is, I didn't have breakfast and the boss scolded me for that, so he sent me here.

- Well, you can sit down. But I'll leave right away.

- Don't worry. Be brief.

The boy sat on the opposite side of the table. Manuel avoided looking him in the eyes and drank his coffee, so that he wouldn't notice that he had blushed.

- What's your name? - The boy asked - My name is Ariel Gómez. And you? _

- Manuel Lopez.

- Nice to meet you. I wanted to know, López, if you study at the university.

- Yes - Manuel responded, lowering the cup and looking him in the eyes. For a moment, he lost himself in those intense blue eyes, which reflected serenity and purity - I'm studying journalism.

- It already seemed to me - said Ariel, showing him a big smile which made Manuel shudder - I almost always see you here , reading some book and writing notes.

- So you've seen me here before? - Manuel said this time feeling like he was shaking.

- Yeah. _ Almost every day I see that you frequent the cafeteria. I thought I would study close here, although I thought you could go to the library around the corner.

- Hey.... yes, that's right - said Manuel, this time showing a firm and serene voice - I have gotten into the habit of going to the library. I am currently doing my thesis, so I no longer go to school like before. To all this, I would like to know why you wanted to talk to me.

A waitress came over to offer Ariel a coffee. He accepted it and smiled at her, making the waitress blush.

- Can I offer you anything else, sir? - The waitress told him.

- I want some dangos, please - said Ariel.

- As you like, handsome.

Manuel felt like he wanted to yell at the waitress for being shameless, but when he realized that he would look ridiculous, he calmed down again. Deep down, he didn't know why he felt very strange around that boy.

- Well, López, I will soon finish high school and I want to go to university - said Ariel, looking at Manuel seriously - Coincidentally, I want to study journalism like you. And I want to enter one of the best universities in the country. But I don't have the money to pay for an entrance course or hire a private teacher. So I wanted to know if you could help me. I don't know anyone else and I perceive that you are a very intelligent person.

- I'm sorry but I cannot help you. I'm doing my thesis and I have a lot of work.

- Please. I promise you that I will pay you.

- It's not about that - said Manuel, getting up from his place and taking his bag - I seriously don't have time for anything. Find a real teacher; I'm sure there will be one whose cost is not high.

Manuel was about to leave the coffee, when he felt Ariel take his arm.

- Please. I only want you.

Manuel felt like he was getting angry. That boy was very persistent and that filled his patience.

- Let go! _ - Manuel said, trying to free himself, but without success - Look, kid. You and I don't know each other. I don't really know who you are and I don't want to get in trouble. So please find someone else.

- I don't want another person. I only want you!

- Me really angry!

Ariel finally let go of Manuel. At first Manuel was surprised, since he did not expect him to give up so quickly. Then she put her bag back in place and left.

What he did not realize was that, during the struggle, he dropped his student notebook, which contained the address where he lived. Ariel saw it and took it, showing a mischievous smile that no one noticed.

He went back into the cafeteria and savored the dangos, while looking at Manuel's residence address.

- I know you've been spying on me since we met in the park, Manuel López - Ariel thought , still smiling - maybe it was a coincidence that you knew where I worked, but I'm sure it's fate that made us turn back. To find. Well, since you dropped your notebook, I have no choice but to return it to you.

.................................................. ...............

Meanwhile, Milo and Luis were having sodas at the bar. Every time Milo looked at Luis out of the corner of his eye, he seemed to see the stars surrounding him. He noticed her perfect skin, her eyes that reflected the innocence of a teenager who was eagerly entering adulthood, and her full lips, which would take him to immediate ecstasy if he reached them. Kiss.

- Is something wrong with you, Milo? - Luis asked him, seeing that Milo was with his head bowed.

- Nothing's wrong with me - Milo said, showing him a nervous smile.

- Are you still upset about the harassment?

- No! Um... I'm used to it. You see, I've been having casual relationships with some men, but one of them wants us to be real. But I already made it clear to you that that will never be possible. He's good looking, but I'm not in love with him. Do you understand it?

- Yes, I understand - Luis said - I haven't fallen in love either and I've never dated anyone.

- Whaaat? But you do have thousands of admirers! How does someone so handsome not have a girlfriend?

Luis looked at him surprised. Milo realized that he had made a mistake and lowered his head again, so that the boy wouldn't see that he had blushed.

- Hey ...don't think wrong. You are really very handsome. You could have all the girls you wanted.

- Thanks for the compliment - said Luis, showing a smile - I just won't feel that way if I go out with one of my admirers. They only admire my physique, but I want something more. I want them to love me for my personality. I want a person who will accompany me through thick and thin, that we support each other and that we maintain enough trust to form an exciting relationship. Oh, I'm sorry, I've read a lot of romance novels and I feel like I'm boring you with my childish thoughts.

- Not childish! - Milo said, this time looking him straight in the eyes - I, deep down, would also wish to have that kind of relationship. But I think I will never be able to achieve it. I'm too irresponsible.

- For me you are tender.

Milo was surprised by Luis's words. It was the first time I called him "tender." However, his insecurity got the better of him because of what his heart was screaming at him, so he got up from his chair and, looking at him angrily, said:

- Not like being made fun of like that! Just so you know, I will soon be twenty-five years old and graduating from college. How could a man at that age be tender?

Luis almost spit out his drink and looked at Milo in amazement.

- Twenty five years!? ! I thought you were a high school kid!

Milo sighed. In the end, he showed him his ID, making Luis turn red with embarrassment.

- I'm really sorry, Milo! I thought you were younger than me!

- Don't worry - Milo said, regretting having reacted that way - I'm used to it. By the way how old are you?

- I'm eighteen. I am currently trying to get into an arts college. And what are you studying?

- Editorial design. My dream is to work at the publishing house Librófilos, in the romantic novels section.

- So you like romance too? I'm glad we have something in common.

Luis smiled again. This time Milo thought he saw more stars and an aura of light that illuminated the boy. "I was definitely crazy about him"

- Hey ... I have to go - said Milo, crestfallen - I promised Manuel I would prepare lunch.

- Who is Manuel?

- He is a friend. We share an apartment to cover the rental costs. Hey ... it was a pleasure chatting with you.

- Milo, I wish I could see you again - Luis told him seriously - even though you're older, I like you. I feel like we can be very good friends.

- Yeah. I would also like to see you again.

- What if we go out for lunch this weekend? You can bring your friend, because I will also bring mine.

- Do you also share an apartment?

- Yeah! We have been friends since the first year of high school, only he can't afford a private tutor because he is poor. I only have to help him with the department's expenses and wait for him to achieve his goals. I'll give you my number, so you can confirm if you and your friend are going to the exit.

- OK. I'll also give you my number.

They exchanged cell phone numbers, paid the bill and left. Milo went to his apartment, feeling like he could fly with happiness. She finally achieved her dream of talking to the boy she liked. And not only that, he also got her number and a date. Manuel would surely be surprised by his feat.

When she arrived, she found him sitting on the couch, thoughtful.

- Hello Manuel! Something happened? - Milo asked him

- Hey ... no, nothing - Manuel said, looking away.

- Come on! I always tell you everything!

- Alright! I'll tell you! The pantry boy realized that I was spying on him. And the worst thing was that he asked me to be his private teacher.

- And you rejected it? But you did like it!

- I just can't help you! I do not have time for anything! - Manuel sighed and put his hands over his face - I still haven't gotten over my old love and I don't want that boy to know me. He deserves to be with someone better, I'm sure.

- Not be hard on yourself! - Milo told him, patting him on the back - You're smart, the best in your class. And the truth is that I envy you, because I would like to have the same dedication that you have with your studies. You just need to stop being so tense about everything.

- I know. Even I realized that I need to give myself a break.

- Good! Well, I'm going to prepare the food. Then I'll tell you what happened to me today.

- I would like to know.

And so half the day passed. Both Manuel and Milo wanted to talk to the person they liked again. What they didn't know was that Luis and Ariel also harbored those feelings. And soon I will find out.