When Diego saw my smile, something in the air shifted. The cafeteria, which up until that moment had been filled with laughter and whispers, suddenly fell silent, as if everyone were waiting for the next move. And I, in that instant, realized that something inside me had changed too. It was as if, by smiling at Marina, I had entered a game I had no idea how to play.
Diego stood still for a few seconds, his eyes locked on me with an intensity that sent a chill down my spine. He flashed a crooked smile — but it wasn't a friendly one. It was the kind of smile you give when someone just made it onto your list of targets.
— Ah, Felipinho… — Diego's voice oozed sarcasm as he slowly walked toward me. His friends started to shift, but he raised his hand, signaling for silence. — That was... interesting. You, me, and Marina? Never thought I'd see that coming.
I swallowed hard, trying to stay calm, but my throat felt dry. What did he want? What was going on? Before I could process it all, he turned to the others with a defiant grin.
— Let's see how far this little romance goes, huh guys? — He laughed, and the sound echoed across the cafeteria, bringing with it the sense that everyone was now watching me like prey.
Marina seemed calm, which somehow made me even more nervous. She kept cleaning her blouse, like nothing was happening — as if it were just another day. That, somehow, gave me enough strength to pull myself together. But Diego wasn't going to let it slide so easily.
— You think you're funny, huh, Felipinho? — Diego said again, this time quieter, but with that threatening tone only he knew how to use. — I don't like people who try to challenge me. And you just did. Things won't be easy for you around here, got it? I'm the king of this place. And you... well, you're just a background character. Don't forget that.
Those words hit me like a brick wall. Not just because of the threat, but because of the way he said it — like my fate had already been decided. I didn't know what to expect, but I was sure of one thing: this wasn't the end. Somehow, it was only the beginning.
Marina finished wiping her blouse and, before I could say anything, she spoke — calm, as if nothing had happened.
— Don't worry, Felipe. It was nothing. — She smiled, making my heart race, then turned and walked off with her friends.
I stood there, completely lost. What had just happened? Diego, with his oppressive presence, felt like a storm that had rolled over me. But Marina… she was the calm after the storm. A serenity that made me feel like anything was possible. And yet, something deep down told me that what had just happened in that cafeteria wouldn't go unnoticed.
That night, lying in bed, Felipe couldn't stop thinking about what had happened. Diego's laughter, Marina's defense, the smile he had given without even thinking… it had all unfolded in a way he couldn't control. He tossed and turned, trying to understand what it meant to suddenly be at the center of attention — and for a reason he barely understood.
He had never imagined that something as simple as spilling juice could change everything. But Diego had clearly marked that moment as territory. And what bothered Felipe the most was knowing that, despite Diego's threatening gaze, he couldn't just ignore Marina. She had been different that afternoon. And he, who always saw himself as just an observer, now found himself part of something much bigger than he could've imagined.
His phone buzzed beside him. Felipe hesitated, then picked it up. It was a message from Marina:
"Hey, Felipe, don't worry about what happened earlier. It was just a coincidence. Forget about Diego, okay? I know he's an idiot, but you're way better than that. Can we talk tomorrow? I was thinking about something for the literature project."
Felipe smiled, still not quite believing she was actually messaging him. It felt strange… but comforting. He started typing, then stopped halfway. He didn't want to sound insecure — but he didn't want to seem arrogant either. After all, he never really knew what to say to girls like her.
"Sure, we can talk. Good night."
He sent the message and tossed the phone back on the bed. He didn't know if he should be happy or worried — but something inside told him that, somehow, his life was about to change in a way he couldn't control.
The next day started tense. Every glance from Diego felt heavier, every step more threatening. It was like he was waiting for the perfect opportunity to knock Felipe down — and Felipe could feel it in the air. But at the same time, Marina's messages and the promise of talking with her gave him a new kind of energy. He felt torn between two realities: the old one, where he was invisible, the skinny guy… and the new one, where something inside him had begun to awaken.
He didn't know where all of it would lead.
But one thing was certain: he wouldn't be the same anymore.