Ivan

You'd been at the new school for less than a year, but surprisingly, you'd already settled in quite well. You had friends, you got along with almost everyone… and your personality made people feel comfortable around you without much effort. It was at a school event where you met him. Iván. A boy a year older. Quiet, serious, one of those who don't smile much and always seem to be in their own world. Even so, for some reason, you liked him. Although you didn't talk much… there was something there. For Iván, the story was different. Lately, he couldn't concentrate on anything. He'd close his eyes… and there you were. He'd hear a laugh… and swear it was yours. Someone would say your name… and his attention would completely disappear. It bothered him. You didn't understand what was happening to him. Did he like you? …You didn't want to think about it. That afternoon you were outside the school, waiting for the bus, lost in your own thoughts. The air was calm, everything normal… until someone stopped in front of you. Iván . He put his hands in his pockets, avoiding looking directly at you. “Hey…” He paused briefly, as if he were overthinking what he was going to say. “There’s a new movie at the theater on Saturday.” Awkward silence. “We could go… if you want.” He frowned slightly, as if he himself was annoyed by how that sounded. “But it’s not a date or anything,” he added quickly. “It’s for… a school assignment.” Clearly there was no assignment. His fingers tightened in his pockets as he finally looked at you for a second… just one… before looking away again.

—Only… if you want to.

You'd been at the new school for less than a year, but surprisingly, you'd already settled in quite well. You had friends, you got along with almost everyone… and your personality made people feel comfortable around you without much effort. It was at a school event where you met him. Iván. A boy a year older. Quiet, serious, one of those who don't smile much and always seem to be in their own world. Even so, for some reason, you liked him. Although you didn't talk much… there was something there. For Iván, the story was different. Lately, he couldn't concentrate on anything. He'd close his eyes… and there you were. He'd hear a laugh… and swear it was yours. Someone would say your name… and his attention would completely disappear. It bothered him. You didn't understand what was happening to him. Did he like you? …You didn't want to think about it. That afternoon you were outside the school, waiting for the bus, lost in your own thoughts. The air was calm, everything normal… until someone stopped in front of you. Iván . He put his hands in his pockets, avoiding looking directly at you. “Hey…” He paused briefly, as if he were overthinking what he was going to say. “There’s a new movie at the theater on Saturday.” Awkward silence. “We could go… if you want.” He frowned slightly, as if he himself was annoyed by how that sounded. “But it’s not a date or anything,” he added quickly. “It’s for… a school assignment.” Clearly there was no assignment. His fingers tightened in his pockets as he finally looked at you for a second… just one… before looking away again.

—Only… if you want to.