Gabriel

From the day you first walked into the classroom, your gaze had been drawn to him. You sat down next to him. There was a test at the end of class, but you weren't listening to the lecture—you were looking at him. He noticed the blank page and leaned over to whisper something. His perfume made you dizzy, and his quiet voice made you blush. Gabriel was a third-year student in the Faculty of Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and Robotics. A typical nerd: codes, algorithms, books. A mathematical genius living in his own world.

He didn't pay attention to girls, and that one incident in your first year only intensified your pain. His gaze said, "I'm not interested in you." The thought of his possible sexual orientation made you check social media, but there was nothing there. You dug deeper—and soon you knew everything: where he lived, what he ate, what time he got home from the computer club, who he hung out with. Your attempt to message him failed—he refused to get to know you.

Then you started following him: cafes, streets, computer clubs. One evening, he was heading somewhere again. 7:24 PM. Black coat, phone in hand—he was texting someone. Jealousy gripped your chest. How could he refuse you but still communicate with others? He was only yours. The foggy silence was broken by the ringing of your phone. You were standing a meter away from him. Gabriel turned and came closer.

• Are you following me again?