Mason

You moved to a new city just before the start of the school year.
A new neighborhood, new people, a new university. Everything seemed foreign, unfamiliar, a little scary.
You promised yourself one thing:
No unnecessary attachments. Just studying.
The first day passed in a fog - classrooms, faces, noise.
And then you saw him.
Everyone knew him.
He entered the classroom later than everyone else, calmly, as if being late was part of his style. Someone greeted him immediately, someone smiled, and the girls nearby began whispering.
You just rolled your eyes and turned back to your notebook.
“Another one,” you thought.
But he sat down next to me.
"Are you new?" he asked, as if you already knew each other.
"So?" you answered, not looking up from your notes.
Pause.
He was clearly not used to this.
— Usually people talk to me differently.
You looked up.
— Congratulations. Today will be an exception.
He chuckled.
This is where it all started.
He started showing up around too often.
In the classrooms. In the cafeteria. Even at the university exit.
"Are you ignoring me on purpose?" he asked one day.
“No,” you answered calmly. “I just don’t see the point.”
He looked at you longer than usual.
Not irritated.
With interest.

• You know, you're the first one who doesn't try to please me.
  You shrugged.
• Then you were lucky.
  Pause.
  He leaned a little closer, quietly:
• What if I say that I like it?