The next morning—
Luisa stood in front of the mirror.
Her eyes looked tired.
Slightly swollen from last night.
But still—
she forced herself to look normal.
Luisa (thinking):
No more… I can't keep feeling like this…
She took a deep breath.
Luisa (softly, to herself):
"From today… he's just a friend."
At the University
Luisa walked through the campus.
This time—
her eyes weren't searching for anyone.
She kept her gaze low.
Avoiding.
Hiding.
But fate didn't listen.
Ben: "Good morning, Luisa."
Her steps stopped.
For a moment—
she didn't turn.
Then slowly—
she did.
Luisa (softly): "Good morning…"
Ben stood in front of her.
He still looked tired—
but slightly better than before.
Luisa forced herself to speak.
Luisa: "How are you?"
Ben: "I'm fine… but I haven't been able to sleep for a few days."
Luisa felt a small ache in her chest—
but she hid it.
Luisa: "Don't think too much… everything will be fine."
Ben looked down.
Then spoke quietly—
as if he had been holding this inside.
Ben:
"To be honest… I'm starting to doubt everything.
It's been a week… and she hasn't called or texted me."
He paused.
Ben:
"I know she's made her decision…
but I just want to know why.
Why did she leave… after all these years?"
Luisa hesitated.
But the question slipped out.
Luisa:
"How long were you two together?"
Ben looked at her.
Ben:
"Four years."
Luisa's heart sank.
A sharp, quiet pain.
She said nothing.
Ben (softly):
"I met her in high school…
She was sweet… shy…
She was always there when I needed her."
Luisa just listened.
Silent.
Both of them walked into class.
During Class
The lecture began.
Students focused.
Pens moving.
Pages turning.
But Luisa—
couldn't focus.
The pain felt heavy inside her.
Like it was spreading slowly through her entire body.
Still—
she stayed quiet.
After Break
Luisa walked toward the university garden.
The weather was clear.
Bright.
Peaceful.
But her heart—
felt the opposite.
She walked slowly—
trying to calm herself.
Luisa (thinking):
I'll be fine… I just need time…
Then—
Ben: "Hey, Luisa."
She stopped.
Closed her eyes for a brief second.
Luisa (thinking):
Please… just let me be…
But when she turned—
she smiled faintly.
Ben:"what are you doing."
Luisa: "Hi… I was just walking."
Ben: "Can I join you?"
Inside—
she wanted to say no.
Luisa (thinking):
Please… stay away from me…
But instead—
Luisa: "Yeah… sure."
They walked side by side.
Ben:
"Luisa… thank you.
For always listening… and being there for me."
Luisa forced a small smile.
Luisa:
"It's okay… we're friends."
The word friends felt heavy on her tongue.
Ben looked up at the sky.
Then called her softly—
Ben: "Luisa."
She turned.
Ben:
"This weekend… I'm thinking of going to Aves."
Luisa's eyes lowered instantly.
Luisa: "That's… a good idea."
Ben:
"Yeah… I haven't seen my mom in five months."
Luisa: "You should go… it'll be good for you."
Ben nodded.
They walked in silence after that.
Evening
Classes ended.
Students left.
Luisa walked home alone.
Something felt off.
A strange discomfort inside her chest.
Luisa (thinking):
Why does him going to Aves… make me feel like this…?
She stopped walking for a moment.
And then—
the answer came quietly.
Luisa's chest tightened.
She looked down.
Luisa (whispering):
"I really need to let go…"
But deep inside—
she knew—
it wouldn't be that easy.