The hallway buzzed with voices when Luiz finally stepped into class, pretending nothing had happened.But he could feel the eyes on him — the whispers, the faint smirks. News spread fast in this place.
"Yo, lover boy," someone muttered from the back. "Two girls in one morning? Not bad."A few laughed. Luiz kept his head down. He didn't answer.
The lecturer walked in, silencing the noise, but the damage was done. Luiz couldn't focus — not on the notes, not on the board, not even on breathing properly.Every word felt heavy, every sound hollow.
When the bell rang, he stayed in his seat until most people were gone.That's when he heard her voice again.
"Luiz."
Clara stood by the door. Her eyes were red — she'd been crying. She waited until the last few students left before walking closer.
He tried to speak, but she shook her head. "Don't. Just… don't."
She took a shaky breath. "Was it all a lie?"
Luiz froze.
"Everything you said — that you liked me, that I was different… was that just something you tell everyone?"
"No," he said quietly. "Clara, it wasn't like that—"
"Then what was it?" she asked, voice breaking. "Because that girl — she looked at you like she still owns you. And you didn't deny it."
Luiz's throat tightened. "I made mistakes before you. But what I feel for you—"
Tears slipped down her cheeks. "Don't say it. Please. I believed you once. That's enough."
She turned away, wiping her face quickly, trying to hold what was left of her pride."I thought you were different, Luiz," she whispered. "But maybe I was wrong."
Then she left — no more words, no second glance.Just silence and the soft echo of her steps fading down the corridor.
Luiz sat there long after she was gone, staring at the desk in front of him.His chest felt hollow.
Then his phone buzzed.A notification from the finance office:
Your pending school fees must be completed by the end of the week.
He stared at the message, the words blurring.He had no job now. No Clara. No plan.
For the first time, the walls of the classroom felt smaller — like they were closing in.Luiz leaned back in his chair, eyes fixed on the empty doorway.
Maybe Mara was right.When you play with fire, you don't get to choose what burns first.