Jeovana looks at the registration board, barely believing her eyes. Her name is next to Veronica Travassos, the richest, most popular and Jeovana's biggest crush. And together, they will be the main couple in the school play.
She looks to the side and sees her friend in the same state.
"Is that really her?"
"I didn't know she was also interested in theater."
"Her family is rich, she can be interested in whatever she wants."
"But theater? And with me?! I didn't even know she liked girls."
"But that doesn't mean she likes girls."
"We have to kiss at the end."
"Oh, right. She likes girls."
Jeovana looks at Marcela, who becomes serious when the topic of conversation approaches. She looks at the girl who is taller than her, ten centimeters, while her eyes come and go from the paper in front of her.
Jeovana holds her breath when Veronica glances at her and quickly looks away. Without saying anything, the girl turns her back and walks away.
Jeovana takes a picture of the list.
"No one will believe this."
*-*
In the theater, Jeovana passes her eyes through his lines without being able to concentrate with Veronica sitting next to her. She tries to memorize at least the opening scene when the other girl's elbow accidentally bumps into her arm and she hears a soft "sorry."
"Don't worry. Did you manage to memorize the first page?"
Jeovana asks as soon as she sees the other on page three.
"Yes."
Jeovana can't even say she's surprised. Besides being beautiful and rich, she's intelligent.
The perfect combo, she thinks.
Veronica chokes on the water she was drinking.
"Are you okay?"
"I was just surprised by the text. I thought it would be the original."
"The director thought it would be better to adapt it so it wouldn't be boring."
She gets even closer to Vero to whisper:
"Don't tell anyone I called Romeo and Juliet boring."
Vero tries not to smile but it's hard when the other smiles in her direction.
How cute, my god.
Vero looks away and goes back to focusing on her script.
"If you want, we can arrange to rehearse at my house… or yours."
Please say yes.
Vero looks at Jeovana who seems about to kneel and beg.
"Uh-huh… at mine. Tomorrow, after school. We can go together."
Jeovana smiles agreeing and Veronica lowers her head, trying to hear what she will think.
Does her house take up an entire block?!
"No."
Jeovana looks at her without understanding.
"What?"
"I mean, today is not possible because I have piano lessons."
Oh, you rich girl.
Vero wants to slap herself but returns the smile that Jeovana offers her.
"Tomorrow, then."
"Tomorrow."
*-*
Vero opens the door for Jeovana who has trouble closing her mouth.
Wow.
The two settle around the coffee table that seems so expensive and delicate that Jeovana is even afraid to touch.
"You can leave your things on it, it's very resistant."
Jeovana does as she's told and sits on the floor, accompanied by Vero who sits next to her.
"Do you want to start with the monologue?"
"Better take advantage of the fact that we are here and rehearse the lines we have together."
That's it.
Vero tries to hide her smile when she hears the thought, but Jeovana notices.
"What is?"
"Nothing, I just remembered a movie I saw last night."
Jeovana can't hide her surprise at this side of Veronica that she didn't know about.
What will the movie be?
"If, one day, you want... we can watch together. The movie."
"Of course I do."
It would be a dream.
"I say the same."
Jeovana smiles at Vero, who pretends to read the text in her hand, but what she really wants is to continue listening to the dreams of that sweet mind.
Jeovana starts reading her lines and Vero replies with her own, looking at the other's face and concentrating on the paper.
They continue reciting their lines until Jeovana realizes that Vero doesn't need to look at her own script.
"Have you memorized all your lines?"
Vero nods.
"I'm very good at listening and saying what people want from me."
"I wish I was like that. Even though I've been doing theater since I was little, I still have trouble memorizing my lines."
"You don't want to be like that."
Jeovana notices how serious Vero becomes and looks away, focusing on her own script.
"Shall we go to act 3 or continue another day?"
"Another day."
Without knowing the reason for the sudden change in behavior, Jeovana packs her things.
Did I do something wrong?
Vero looks at her.
"You didn't do anything. I'm just tired."
Jeovana looks at her, surprised.
"What?"
"What?!"
"Nothing. It's just that... you seem to read my mind sometimes."
Vero gets up and Jeovana realizes the absurdity of what she just said. She gets up and the two of them stand too close, not knowing what to do.
"See you tomorrow."
"See you."
Vero follows Jeovana to the exit, afraid that the other will hear her accelerated heartbeat. Jeovana waves goodbye and walks away, too confused by everything that happened.
*-*
The next day, Vero hears Jeovana before even entering the classroom.
… then she acted strange and I'm afraid I've ruined our dynamic in the play. And in real life.
Vero enters the room and her gaze goes immediately to Jeovana who stares back. She waves and is reciprocated, sitting in her place.
For the next hour, she is bombarded with the unfounded concerns of the girl who doesn't stop fidgeting in her chair.
As soon as they are dismissed, Jeovana runs to her.
"Want to rehearse today?"
Vero has a different question:
"Want to watch a movie with me?"
Yes, yes, YES.
"Sure. After rehearsal?"
Vero nods and Jeovana smiles.
It's today.
Vero blushes and stands up.
"See you at rehearsal."
The two say goodbye and Vero is already planning how to tell the other girl about her condition without scaring her away.
She knows that this day will come at some point, but even though she has been preparing for it for a long time, she still feels a twinge of insecurity.
Today for sure.
*-*
Vero adjusts the pillows when she hears the doorbell ring. She takes a deep breath and goes to the door, opening it.
Jeovana smiles at her and picks up the bag full of treats.
"I hope I'm not late."
"Of course not."
Jeovana follows Vero to the couch and they both sit down, remaining silent.
"Have you chosen the movie?"
Vero shakes her head.
"We can choose together!"
Jeovana takes her cell phone but Vero holds her hand.
"First, I wanted to confess something to you."
Confess?! Confess that you like me?
"Not that, I mean, this too, but it's something else."
Jeovana looks at her, curious.
"You're doing that again."
"That?!"
"Reading my thoughts."
Vero looks at her joined hands and when Jeovana looks in the same place, she moves away.
"That's it."
Jeovana tilts her head.
"That what?"
"I can read your thoughts."
Jeovana blinks slowly.
"You can do what?!"
"Read your thoughts."
Jeovana stares at Vero as if she expected her to start laughing at any second. When she doesn't, she asks again to make sure of what she heard:
"You can read my thoughts?!"
Vero nods slowly.
"What am I thinking now?"
Jesus, she's beautiful.
"That I'm beautiful."
"What now?"
This has to be a joke.
"That's a joke, but it is not."
"What now?"
Kiss me.
"Kiss me."
"With pleasure."
Jeovana holds Vero's neck and pulls her close to her, pressing their lips together. Vero moves her lips to hers, and feels Jeovana nibble on her lower lip, making her hands tighten around the other's waist.
They separate, breathless.
"Later I want to know everything you've heard."