The following days passed in a whirlwind of emotions and glances. Diego seemed to enjoy the idea of challenging me more and more, and his stares cut through the room like sharp blades. He didn't bother hiding his disdain, and no matter how much I tried to keep calm, I couldn't shake the feeling that he was just waiting for the right moment to strike. But there was something else, something growing inside me—a strange sensation that this wasn't just about him anymore. It was about me.
That morning, as I got ready for another day, my mind was too distracted to notice the small details. Marina's smile, the conversation I would have with her later, the tension in the air… I was beginning to feel different, like something was about to happen. And when I arrived at college, my gut feeling proved right.
— Felipe, do you have a minute? — Marina's voice came from behind me, interrupting my thoughts.
I turned around quickly, surprised to see her standing there with her warm smile. There was no sign that the cafeteria scene had been awkward for her. I was still trying to process what was happening when she gently pulled me toward the hallway.
— So, about the Literature assignment… I was thinking about analyzing the representation of power in classic stories. What do you think? — She asked, looking straight into my eyes.
I didn't know what to say. I wasn't expecting the conversation to be so simple, so… normal. There was no tension in the air, which made me relax a little. Maybe I had been overthinking everything. I knew she was smart, but now I was starting to see that she was more than just her looks and intelligence. She seemed genuine.
— Sounds great — I replied, trying not to stutter. — I can help you with that.
She smiled and started walking, motioning for me to follow her.
— Let's go to the library? We can work on it after class. I just need to grab some books.
And just like that, we went back to our routine. But soon, the twist I feared—and at the same time, desired—happened.
After class, as Marina and I discussed our assignment, the library door suddenly swung open. I froze when I saw who walked in.
Diego.
He had that smirk of someone who thinks they're in control. The moment I saw him, my mind raced. What did he want now?
— Well, well, look who we have here — Diego spoke, his voice dripping with mockery. — Felipinho and the college princess, all alone in the library. I wonder what's going on between you two, huh?
My stomach twisted, and before I could respond, Marina spoke up, her voice calm, as if she had expected this.
— Diego, don't be childish. We're just studying.
Diego looked at her with his usual smirk, but his eyes were locked on me.
— Sure, sure. Studying… — He let out a low chuckle. — I just hope, Felipinho, that you know if you get too close to Marina, you'll have to pass my test.
The air became heavy. I knew exactly what he meant. He wasn't just challenging me—he was making it clear that Marina, in some way, was within his territory. It was a strategic move to lure me into his trap. But what bothered me the most was his tone, as if he was certain I wasn't capable of standing up to him.
Marina stayed silent for a moment, as if analyzing the situation. Then, with an impressive calmness, she said:
— Do you really think someone has to be tested by you, Diego? That sounds more like a joke than a challenge. And as for you, Felipinho, whatever he says, ignore it. — She paused, glancing at Diego before continuing. — I'm not anyone's toy.
I didn't know what to expect, but what happened next was a small twist that caught everyone off guard—including me.
Diego, who was used to being the center of attention, went silent. For a second, he looked lost, unsure of how to react to Marina's direct response. And, to my surprise, he did nothing. He just turned around and left without another word. As if he had been disarmed by something he didn't see coming.
I stared at Marina, trying to process everything that had just happened. Not only had she defended me, but she had also left Diego speechless. She looked at me with a soft smile.
— You saw what he was trying to do, right? — She asked, still calm. — Diego is just a jerk trying to show off. You don't have to worry about him.
I didn't know whether to feel relieved or shocked. Deep down, I knew Marina was different, but I never imagined she was this strong. She had not only handled Diego but had also taught me a lesson about not letting him intimidate me.
— I… I don't even know what to say — I replied, still in disbelief.
Marina smiled again.
— You don't have to say anything. Just stop worrying about him. He'll try to drag you into his game, but if you don't play along, he'll get bored soon enough.
I looked at her, thinking about how much things had changed. I was starting to understand that, even though Diego was a threat on campus, he didn't have as much power as he thought. And Marina… she wasn't just beautiful and smart. She was so much more.
But while everything seemed to be settling down, one thought still lingered in my mind. If Diego was trying to test me, what else could he be planning? I knew he wouldn't give up that easily. The real battle was just beginning.