I'm at the gym with Adrián, working out. I'm really grateful I don't have to go back to my full-time schedule. I think being a bit more athletic gives me an appeal and confidence around Amelia that I didn't have when I first met her.
— Next week we have to present the project we did last semester at the faculty's environmental architecture event — I say while on the treadmill.
— Do you think we should wear suits? — Adrián asks — You know, to look professional.
— That's for sure — I say — I'll have to get some money to buy a suit, or maybe I can ask my mom to send me one of the suits my dad used to wear.
When the weekend arrives, I go bowling. This time Amelia is already at the agreed-upon spot, and we start playing as rivals. She easily beats me, and as a reward, we decide to watch the movie of her choice, a horror film about a group of teenagers who go to a cabin, and it turns out one of them starts hunting them down to copy the murders of a serial killer. After the movie, we take the bus back to her neighborhood. — You're such a gentleman for walking me home — she says with a smile at her front door.
— With all the danger out there? This is the least I can do — I say. She leans down from the front steps and places her head on my shoulders, pulling me closer.
— This gentleman deserves a reward — she says sweetly and kisses me. We kiss softly until we break apart to look into each other's eyes. I can see myself reflected in her gaze; it's like being laid bare. — I'd like to see you tomorrow. Say yes — she says, almost whispering.
– I have work, but we can meet after ten — I suggest.
— Nice try — she says with a playful smile and goes inside.
When I get to the house, I see Adrián arrive in his car and I wave to him. As we go downstairs, I hear him say — So, how was your date?
— It was good — I say, remembering the moment. — We kissed.
— Do you have a suit for the event on Monday? — he asks — I could lend you one.
— No, I think I'll rent one — I say — You're taller than me; I don't expect any of your clothes to fit me.
— True — he says. His mind seems to be elsewhere; he's not as energetic as before.
— Is everything okay? — I ask — Is it about the exams? You know I'll help you with that.
— No, it's just family problems — he says. I don't want to pry, so I don't press the issue.
On Saturday morning, I managed to rent a suit, and on Monday, we both attended the event at the university. Several well-known architects are presenting and giving their opinions on the projects being showcased. It's a great opportunity to get a recommendation from the university and land a job as soon as you graduate. To my surprise, Amelia is among the students looking at the projects, and when she sees me, she comes over. — You look handsome in a suit — she comments.
— Aren't you going to say hello to me? — Adrián asks. She grimaces and turns her gaze back to me.
— Do you study here too? — I ask.
— Ninth semester of medicine — she says — This is your project, what's it about?
— It's about renewable energy. The city is fully functional — I say. At that moment, one of the architects approaches, and we both present the project, explaining all the details of the construction process.
— There are some things that can be improved, but it has a good foundation — the man says — I would like to receive a letter of recommendation when you graduate.
— Thank you very much, sir — Adrián and I say in unison.
— This is great! — Adrián says when the man has left — We have to go celebrate. Why don't we go to the student bar?
— What do you say, will you join our celebration? — I ask Amelia.
— No, I'll probably be a third wheel — she says.
— Camile would come too, right? — I say, looking at Adrián, but I don't wait for his answer — Eight o'clock at the student bar tonight.
— Until then — Amelia says and gives me a kiss on the cheek.
|°|°|°|
We're at the bar. We're waiting for the girls to arrive when Adrián says — We should do something else — he says — Just the two of us, like before.
— I don't have many memories of that — I say.
— I thought you considered me your friend — he says with a disappointed smile, taking a swig of beer — The city team is playing at the stadium next weekend. What do you think about going?
— I'd have to miss work — I say. I see Amelia arrive and I stand up to greet her with a hug. She gives me a quick kiss on the lips, and I take my time kissing her back.
— Oh, lovebirds — Camile says. She sits down next to Adrián and takes a sip of beer.
— Can you get you something to drink?
— Sure — Adrián says and heads to the bar. He bumps into my shoulder on the way, but I don't think much of it.
As expected, after lunch Camile insists Adrián go dancing until he agrees. I notice he seems distant with her; he hasn't been the same since the day I saw him beaten up.
— What's wrong? — Amelia asks.
— Nothing, it's just that they don't seem to get along as well as I thought — I say.
— They've never had anything serious — she comments — Do you want to go somewhere else? I'm getting bored.
— Sure, we could go to… — I say, trying to think of a place, but it's already past ten — Maybe we can make it to the last movie.
— No, I'd rather watch a movie at your place — she says.
We go to my dorm and once we are in the bedroom, we kiss and take off our clothes. I took a condom out of one of the drawers, but I can't put it on. I feel too nervous, and my hands are shaking. — Let me help you — she says, and she puts the condom on my member.
— I feel really nervous — I say — Are you sure you want to do this?
— Yes — she says, and she kisses me on the cheek – If you're not sure, we can wait a little longer.
— No! It's... It's okay — I say. She nods with a smile, and we kiss again.
|°|°|°|
The alarm goes off. I stretch out my hand enough to turn it off and yawn, slowly opening my eyes. I see Amelia asleep next to me and decide to get out of bed to make something to eat. When I open the door, I see Adrián — Now you can read minds? — he asks, lowering his hand. Apparently, he was about to knock. — You left really early. Did you take Amelia home?
— No — I reply. I notice I'm in my underwear and decide to close the door without thinking twice.
— Farley? — I hear her murmur as she stretches out in bed until she opens her eyes and looks directly at me — What time is it?
— It's six in the morning — I answer and sit on the edge of the bed.
— What? — she asks. She sits down in the middle of the bed in the split of a second.
— I'm going to make something to eat — I say — Wait here.
— What?! – she exclaims, jumping out of bed and quickly getting dressed — I wasn't supposed to oversleep! I had to be home by midnight!
— I'll get Adrian's car keys. I can give you a ride — I say, leaving the room. I'd hoped to spend a little more time with her, but I don't want her to get in trouble because of me.
— Can I borrow your car?
He looks at me, confused, then glances over my shoulder. When I look back, I see Amelia standing in the doorway of my room. — That explains it — Adrian says and hands me the keys. Seeing this, Amelia runs upstairs. I start to follow her, but Adrian stops me — Ishikawa, you're in your underwear! — When I look at myself, I see he's right.
After changing into my clothes from last night, I drove Amelia home. She takes her time getting out of the car, clenching her fists on her thighs. I take one of her hands and kiss it to calm her down. She turns to look at me, smiles, and we kiss — Are you good at lying? — I ask. She grimaces and shakes her head — You could say Camile got drunk and you had to walk her home; it's not entirely a lie — I say.
— Yes, I'll do that — she says. She gets out of the car and waves goodbye, but when she sees I'm not leaving, she goes to the passenger window — It's better if they don't see you.
— Right! — I snap out of it and drive off.
For the rest of the week, Amelia and I kept in touch through messages, but we didn't see each other until Friday at the mall. I went with her to do some shopping for a birthday party — Do you think he'd like this? — she asks. She shows me an action figure. — It's for a five-year-old.
— If he doesn't have a similar toy, it could be a great gift — I say — I remember playing with Superman until I was eleven, when I started high school.
— Really? I played with dolls until I was fourteen — she says, putting the action figure in the basket. When we leave the store, I treat her some ice cream, and we sit down in the plaza to rest our feet.
— Would you like to come with me to the birthday party? — she asks — It'll be a children's party, and we can leave after they serve the cake.
— Yes, I'll come with you. I really enjoy spending time with you, Amelia — I say. She smiles slightly and intertwines her fingers with mine.
— We're together, right? — she asks.
— I don't want to be with anyone else — I say, and I kiss her forehead. She smiles and continues eating her ice cream.
The next day, I called work early to let them know I wouldn't be able to come in. I made up an excuse about being sick so I wouldn't have to go in that weekend and could have free time to spend with Amelia. Later that afternoon, Amelia texted me with the address and time of the birthday party. When I come out of the kitchen, I see Adrián getting out of his car in the driveway — Weren't you at work? — Adrián asks when he sees me – I thought you got off at ten.
Then I remember his invitation to the city team's game at the stadium. I completely forgot to be careful not to be seen — I didn't have to go in today — I say.
— Are you going out with Amelia? — he asks. I hesitate before answering, so he lowers his gaze and heads toward the house.
— Adrián, I'm sorry, I…
— No, I think you should make the most of your time with her — he says, returning to place the keys in my hands — Be on time for your date.
|°|°|°|
When I arrive at the address Amelia wrote down, I send her a message, and a few seconds later, I see her coming outside to greet me. We go inside together, and she introduces me to her family as her boyfriend — Nice to meet you, sir — I say, shaking her father's hand.
— You're probably the reason my daughter comes home early every day — the man says, laughing as if he'd just told a joke. I remember what happened the other day and decide to smile to hide my nervousness. He comments — She's one of those liberal girls who doesn't care about her sexuality.
— Dad! — Amelia complains.
— Well, you're from her generation, I'm sure you'll understand — he says, patting my shoulder.
The man walks away, and I see him talking to other family members. — Come on, you just have to meet the birthday boy — Amelia says, tugging at my arm. She seems annoyed.
— What was that comment about? — I ask — Does he know you weren't with Camile? Did he see me that day?
— No, that's just how he is — Amelia says —He likes to make tasteless jokes. Don't pay any attention to him.
She introduces me to her nephew, and after a puppet show, they serve the cake. Amelia seems determined that we should leave, to the point that she eats the cake in two bites. She says goodbye to everyone quickly and almost in whispers, as if she were running away. I notice that she looks in her father's direction several times while saying goodbye to the others. We were about to leave through the door when a voice said,
— Daughter, aren't you going to say goodbye to your dad? Where are you going?
— We have a prior engagement — she says — I'll be back at ten, Dad.
— Don't worry, you can bring her back at twelve — the man says, looking at me — Come on, give me a hug — He turns to Amelia. She comes closer, and he puts his arm around her waist. When she pulls away and turns her back to leave, he slaps her on the bottom and says — Be good.
She glances at him for a moment and then looks back at me.