I left the classroom before Lívia could even open her mouth.
She was still finishing her test but somehow managed to throw me that look that said, "We're going to talk about this later."
I wasn't ready for that.
I didn't even know what I'd say if I were.
And I definitely didn't want to be teased for falling headfirst over someone I'd only seen twice.
I knew Lívia she wouldn't rest until she squeezed every detail out of me, so I did the obvious thing: ran for the hallway, shoving my notebook into my backpack and pretending I was late for something. Which, to be fair, wasn't entirely a lie; I just happened to be two hours early for it.
I headed toward the cafeteria before meeting up with Miguel and the others, praying the menu had something edible today.
We'd agreed to meet at the biology department library, tucked away at the end of the second-floor corridor. The air there always felt heavier, maybe because of the overworked AC units humming just outside, keeping the windows from opening properly.
When I arrived, Miguel was already there of course he was.
He was talking to a freshman, making her laugh in that slightly exaggerated way.
He had that main-character energy, hair messy but intentionally so, clothes casual in the right way, and that wide, perfect smile he used like a weapon.
And, naturally, he was attentive. Especially with girls.
When he saw me, he said something to the girl that made her glance in my direction before walking away, still smiling.
He looked me up and down, quick but obvious, then flashed that confident grin of his.
"Thought you'd bail," he said, crossing his arms. "You practically sprinted out after the test."
I hadn't realized he'd been watching when I left.
"I almost did," I said, dropping my backpack on the table. "But I was afraid my grades would ghost me too."
He laughed easy, practiced and for a second his gaze lingered longer than it should have.
I felt the heat rise to my cheeks. I hate how my body betrays me before my words do.
"Nice. Sarcastic and punctual. Rare combo these days."
"Forgot 'tired and out of patience,' but thanks," I muttered.
I glanced around. The others hadn't arrived yet.
I sat down, opened my notebook, and started flipping through pages, pretending to be busy.
Miguel didn't need an invitation to keep talking.
"You know," he started, pacing a little, "I'm always amazed, how do you work, study, and still pull good grades?"
"By not sleeping much," I said, without looking up.
"That explains the dark circles." He smiled, his tone half-flirt, half-smug. "They're kind of charming, actually."
I rolled my eyes, though a smile escaped before I could stop it.
"You're terrible at compliments, you know that?"
"No," he said, sitting down beside me too close. "I'm just honest. I like people the way they are."
Before I could answer, a voice echoed from the doorway.
"Wow, you two started without us."
Letícia.
She walked in with confidence hair straight and shiny, perfume sweet and strong enough to fill the hallway.
Her makeup was flawless, eyes lined dark, the kind of look that demanded attention.
She glanced at me quickly, gave a small wave, then dropped her bag on the table and folded her arms, looking at Miguel but speaking to me.
"Hey, Helena," she said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Didn't think you'd actually join our group."
Shit. Something was going on here.
"Miguel invited me. I'm good with data," I said, trying to sound neutral.
"Right, of course," she said, resting her elbow on the table. "He talks about you all the time, you know."
"I do not," Miguel shot back too fast, laughing nervously.
Letícia laughed too, but the sound was sharp, cold.
"No need to play it down, Miguel. It's cute."
I stared straight ahead, suddenly finding the chipped paint on the wall very interesting.
I could feel her eyes on me, assessing.
They weren't dating as far as I knew but sitting there with the two of them, it was painfully clear there was something.
Miguel looked a bit uncomfortable, but his grin never faded. That same grin he used on everyone, including me.
"So, Helena," Letícia said, leaning forward, "you're doing the introduction or the conclusion?"
"The conclusion," I answered without hesitation.
"Oh, perfect." She smiled too sweet to be genuine. "That's the part no one listens to anyway."
Miguel coughed awkwardly.
"It's just a project."
"Of course," she said, still smiling at me.
"Just a project."
The next few hours tested every ounce of my patience.
Miguel spoke clearly, focused, but Letícia kept interrupting to laugh at her own jokes.
She barely did any work, but never missed a chance to flirt.
It was exhausting. And not just for me our other two group members kept exchanging looks of secondhand embarrassment.
At one point, I caught myself watching the two of them like you watch a bad play waiting for the intermission so you can leave.
There was no way Miguel wasn't aware of it.
He glanced between us a few times, looking uneasy.
"You're quiet today," he said finally.
"Everything okay?"
"Yeah," I said flatly. "Just think we should take this more seriously."
Letícia's expression soured.
He laughed, thinking I was joking.
She didn't.
"You could try being nicer, you know," she said. "No one likes people who act superior."
"And you could try being subtle. Or useful. But I guess that ship's sailed."
The silence that followed was glorious.
I think I even earned two secret fans Ana and Victor looked at me like I'd just slayed a dragon.
Miguel glanced between us, unsure whose side to take.
He looked ridiculous.
"Okay… so, back to the paper," he said, clearing his throat. "Did anyone read the article on invasive species?"
"I did," I said.
"Me too," Letícia added quickly. "But I think Helena should present. She's such a good speaker."
I caught the poison in her tone but only smiled faintly.
"I can present. No problem."
She seemed annoyed by how easily I agreed, opening her mouth to retort, but Miguel jumped in first.
"Perfect! I knew you'd be great, Helena. You're the best one in the group, hands down."
Letícia rolled her eyes, pulled out her phone, and started scrolling.
The rest of the meeting passed quietly, though the air still felt heavy with something unspoken.
By the time we finished, the sun was already fading through the windows.
Letícia left in a hurry, barely saying goodbye except to Miguel, of course.
"Can I walk you to the gate?" he asked.
"No need," I said, packing my things. "I'm heading straight to work."
He smiled, a little disappointed.
"Always so independent, huh?"
"It's great. You should try it sometime."
He laughed. Without Letícia there, the atmosphere felt lighter.
I looked at him one last time before leaving.
The golden sunlight framed him, that easy grin, those eyes that seemed to want too much.
I couldn't help thinking he was far too handsome for someone like Letícia.
"See you around, Miguel," I said.
He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something, hesitated, then smiled.
"See you, Helena."
I stepped outside, the cool air brushing my face.
The light had turned soft and gold at the edges of the sky.
I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the tiredness.
Miguel might've been a bit of a jerk today, but still… he was kind of amazing.
Too bad someone else already had my heart.