—Josías.
Josías's cheeks flushed slightly.
—Emily!
—What are you doing here? You should have left already —asked curiously.
—It's my turn to clean my classroom today.
—Ahhh, I see... Hey, do you want to walk back home with me?
—Huh?
Emily nodded repeatedly with her smile.
—Yes, Noemí and Sofía already went home... and I don't want to go alone.
Josías felt his face start to blush just at the thought of going with her.
—Ahhh, yes, yes, of course. I'd love to.
—Perfect! Then just wait for me a few minutes, I'll hand in these papers and we'll go.
—Alright.
Emily started running down the hallway.
—I'll be quick! —she said before turning a corner.
Josías began to feel very nervous. He sat on a bench near the exit to wait for her.
In the school library, Sofía was cleaning because it was her punishment for bothering the librarian during recess.
She hid it from her friends because she knew if she told them, they would wait for her to finish cleaning, and Sofía didn't want to keep them waiting too long.
—Why did I have to make her mad? —she thought with annoyance.
After finishing cleaning all the library aisles, she wiped the sweat from her forehead and smiled satisfied with her work.
—Done! All clean!
She quickly walked over to the librarian's desk.
—I'm finished —grabbed her backpack that was on top of the desk— I'm leaving now. —ran toward the exit— Bye.
—Mhm.
Sofía already wanted to leave so she ran as fast as she could to the exit, but when turning a corner, she stopped suddenly when she saw Emily and Josías heading toward the exit together.
—What are those two doing together? —she asked herself.
After a few minutes of hesitation, she decided to follow them from a careful distance so she wouldn't be noticed.
She followed them for a few minutes until they entered the park and stopped at an ice cream cart.
Sofía sat on a bench, pretending to be relaxed but glancing at them discreetly.
Emily and Josías laughed softly, they seemed comfortable together. Sofía felt a little uncomfortable inside seeing them like that.
After the ice cream man handed them their ice creams, they started walking away from there. Sofía stood up from the bench and started following them again.
Emily and Josías reached a small hill with a little lake in front of it, and sat on the grass to admire the view.
Sofía hid behind a bush at a good distance so neither of them would see her but she could still hear them.
—But why are they together? —she whispered quietly.
Josías glanced sideways at Emily nervously, it looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't.
Emily noticed this and turned her head to look at him.
—Is something wrong? —licked her ice cream, waiting for his answer.
—Ahhh! No!... Well, I was wondering if... —his eyes darted side to side, like looking for the right words— If... if it isn't too hard for you to grade so many papers after class?
—It's not hard, it's more tiring and frustrating because while everyone else goes home, I have to stay and grade those piles of papers. —let out a long sigh— But it's my job as class president.
—You're really admirable. —finished his ice cream cone.
Emily finished her ice cream too.
—Thank you —looked at the lake with a smile— This lake is so beautiful.
—Yes... Just like you —he whispered almost inaudibly.
Emily turned her head quickly back to him.
—Did you say something? I heard a whisper.
—Ahh... W-what, wh-a-t, y-yes... It's really pretty... Just like someone...
Emily smiled mischievously and leaned closer to him curiously.
—Huh! Just like someone?! Are you in love, Josías?!
He looked away, his cheeks burning.
—Maybe...
She grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him back and forth.
—Who?! Who?! Tell me who! —stopped shaking him.
—I can't say...
Emily looked down, disappointed.
—Oh... —let go of him and looked back up— But if you like her, why haven't you told her?
—Well... I'm just not sure if she feels the same way. I keep thinking about what will happen if she rejects me, I don't want her to get mad at me...
—You have to try. I don't think anyone would get mad over a confession. Besides, if you don't do it, you'll regret it later.
Josías smiled.
—Yes, I think you're right.
Emily stood up from the ground and stretched her arms up toward the sky.
—Mmm. Well —turned to look at Josías— I think we should head home now.
—Yes, it's getting late.
Emily walked over to him, took his hand and helped him up.
—Come on, let's go. It gets cold at night and I didn't bring a sweater.
They both stood up and started walking toward where Sofía was. She jumped when she saw them coming, stepped out from behind the bush and tried to walk away, but Emily spotted her.
—Ah! Look, there's Sofía!
Sofía had no choice but to stop and turn around.
—Ahhh, hi... Emily —tried to hide her discomfort and nervousness.
—What are you doing here? I thought you were already home.
—Well, it's just... Uh... I went out to buy something.
—In your uniform?
Sofía looked down at her clothes.
—Ahh... I left in such a hurry I forgot to change. Heh, heh, heh —let out an awkward little laugh.
—Ohh, I see.
—And... what about you two?... What are you doing together?
—We were heading home but stopped for an ice cream.
—I see...
—But we're leaving now... Do you want to come with us?
—No, no, no. I... I still have to buy some things...
—Understood. See you tomorrow then, friend. —waved goodbye and started walking away with Josías.
Sofía waved back goodbye. When they were out of sight, she clenched her hand into a fist and lowered it along with her gaze. Her eyes were glistening, holding back tears.
—Josías is in love...