Luisa stood in the bus, lost in her own thoughts.
The world around her felt distant.
The noise, the people—everything blurred.
Then—
A voice reached her ears.
David: "Good morning, Miss Luisa."
Luisa blinked, coming out of her thoughts.
She turned slightly, surprised.
Luisa: "Oh… good—good morning, David…"
David smiled softly.
David: "How are you?"
Luisa: "I'm good… and you?"
David: "Better."
Luisa: "That's good to know…"
They stood next to each other.
Close—
but quiet.
Luisa still seemed distant, her eyes not fully present.
David noticed.
He watched her for a moment…
then slowly leaned a little closer from behind—just enough for his voice to reach her softly.
David (gently):
"Did anyone ever tell you… that you're beautiful?"
Luisa froze.
Her eyes widened instantly.
A soft blush spread across her cheeks.
She quickly lifted her hand and lightly covered her ear, as if trying to block what she just heard.
Then she turned to him—
Luisa: "What… what are you doing?!"
David looked at her.
For a second, he realized how close they were.
Closer than before.
Her face… just a little too near.
His heartbeat skipped.
But he quickly looked away, pretending nothing had happened.
David (softly, acting normal):
"I was just asking…"
Luisa looked at him, still flustered.
Luisa: "You're really something…"
She turned away, trying to hide her embarrassment.
But her heart—
It wasn't calm.
And neither was his.
The bus stopped.
They both got down and started walking toward the university.
A soft silence lingered between them.
Comfortable—
yet unfamiliar.
Then—
A voice came from behind.
Ben: "Good morning, Luisa."
Luisa's steps slowed for a moment.
Luisa (thinking):
Not him again…
She turned.
Luisa: "Good morning, Ben."
Ben's eyes shifted to David.
Ben: "Oh, David—you're back. I'm sorry to hear about everything… How are you now?"
David: "I'm better. Thank you for asking."
Ben: "Don't mention it."
David looked at him carefully.
David: "You look a little tired, Ben. Is everything okay?"
Luisa glanced at Ben.
She already knew the answer.
Ben (casually):
"Oh, it's nothing. Just studies, you know."
Luisa (thinking):
He's lying…
David: "Still, take care of yourself."
Ben: "Thanks."
The three of them entered the class.
The lecture began.
But none of them were fully focused.
After the break—
Luisa packed her things, ready to leave for the cafeteria.
Just then—
Ben: "Luisa, can I join you?"
At the same time—
David: "Luisa, can I come too?"
Both of them looked at each other.
A brief silence.
Luisa turned, a little overwhelmed.
Luisa: "Oh… yes, sure…"
She noticed a few students looking at her.
Whispering.
Her chest tightened.
Without saying anything more, she quickly walked out of the class.
As she passed through the corridor—
She overheard voices.
Girls talking.
Girl 1 (whispering):
"Did you see that? Luisa is always with those guys…"
Girl 2:
"Yeah… both Ben and David. She's always with them."
Luisa stopped for a second.
Her heart sank.
They didn't know she could hear them.
She didn't say anything.
Just walked away.
She headed toward the university garden.
Trying to breathe.
Trying to calm herself.
Then—
A voice came from behind.
Ben: "Luisa, what happened? I was waiting for you in the cafeteria."
Luisa turned.
Luisa: "Oh… nothing. I just wanted to walk for a bit."
Ben: "You should've told me. David must be waiting. Let's go."
Luisa hesitated.
She didn't want to go.
Not after what she heard.
But still—
She nodded.
They walked to the cafeteria together.
David was already there.
As he saw them walking side by side—
Something inside him felt… off.
He couldn't explain it.
But it was there.
They sat down.
David: "What happened? You guys are late."
Ben: "Nothing much. Luisa just wanted to walk."
David looked at her.
Carefully.
David: "Are you okay, Luisa?"
Luisa forced a small smile.
Luisa: "Yeah… I'm fine."
David didn't look convinced.
David: "Take care of yourself."
Luisa nodded quietly.
They started eating.
Or at least—
They tried.
Luisa barely touched her food.
She just sat there.
Quiet.
Lost.
David noticed.
Every small detail.
David (thinking):
Something isn't right…