Luiz barely slept.Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Clara's smile… and Mara's stare.
Morning came too fast. His phone buzzed —Clara:"You awake? I can't stop thinking about last night."
He typed back, "Me too."Then deleted it. He didn't want to lie — but silence felt worse.
He dressed quietly and left the dorm. Kevin was still asleep. Mara's bed untouched since last night.
Halfway across campus, a voice stopped him."Running away again?"
Luiz turned. Mara stood near the entrance, wearing a hoodie and sunglasses, her lips still swollen from their last kiss.
"Mara…" he said softly.
She crossed her arms. "You left without saying a word."
"I had to," Luiz said. "It was late."
"Right," she scoffed. "And early enough to meet someone else?"
Luiz froze. "You're overthinking—"
"Don't," she cut in. "I can smell her perfume on you."
The silence between them burned.
He tried to speak, but she stepped back. "It's fine, Luiz. You don't owe me anything… except honesty."
Before he could answer, Clara's voice called from behind. "Luiz! There you are!"