—And… that's everything —said Saval, closing the laptop and letting out an almost audible sigh.
The professor nodded, without enthusiasm but with approval. At least she hadn't stopped them. They'd arrived on time, their clothes half-tidied and their slides miraculously open. But they'd made it.
—You may sit —said the professor, turning back to her folder.
Saval and Semiel glanced at each other sideways, as if they'd just survived a war.
That was way too close, thought Saval, sitting down beside Semiel.
Next time, I'm waking up on time, I swear, thought Semiel, still sweating a little from the sprint and the stress.
As soon as class ended, they stepped out into the hallway and then into the park beside the building. The sky was clear, and the sun filtered warmly through the leaves, gentle and kind. Mia and David were already waiting for them, sitting on the grass with water bottles and packs of cookies.
—I was about to lynch you if you didn't show up —said Mia, handing each of them a cookie.
—We're not gonna lie —said Saval—. We overslept.
—Uh-huh —replied Mia, raising an eyebrow as she opened her bottle—. Together?
Semiel choked slightly on his cookie.
—Yeah —answered Saval, glancing at Semiel out of the corner of his eye—. I mean… yeah.
—Actually, there's something we wanted to tell you —added Semiel, lowering his gaze slightly.
David looked at them silently for a couple of seconds before speaking.
—You two are dating, aren't you?
Both of them froze for a split second.
—How did you know? —asked Saval, surprised.
Mia laughed.
—Buddy… you have the most lovestruck face on the continent.
David joined in the laughter.
—And you two have the subtlety of an elephant dancing ballet on glass cups.
Everyone laughed, even Semiel, who ducked his head with an embarrassed smile.
—So… it's not weird for you? —he asked, still a little shy.
—Weird? —said Mia—. Semiel, I've known you since you were an anxious larva. I can tell when something's good for you. And you, Saval—ever since you've been with him, you smile more. We're happy to see you like this.
—Seriously —added David—. You don't have to hide, especially not from us.
Semiel looked at Saval, who gave him a half-smile in return. Both of them settled more comfortably onto the blanket Mia had brought, letting the midday warmth relax them a little.
They're good to us, thought Saval. They accept us without asking weird questions. They just want us to be happy.
How lucky I am, thought Semiel. Part of me was afraid to say it out loud. But they already knew. And they stayed anyway. How fortunate we are.
—So, when's the wedding? —Mia joked.
—Shut up —both of them said at the same time, laughing.
They spent a little longer like that, talking about trivial things—the exam they had next week, the new café that had opened near the entrance. The conversation flowed without tension, as if everything had already been said long before.
When the bell rang and they had to return to class, Mia jumped up and stretched her arms.
—Come on, lovebirds. Time to suffer together for one more hour.
David looked at both of them and whispered, just to Mia, as they walked a little behind:
—I'm happy for them… but I hope no one else interferes. You know who.
Mia glanced at him for a second and nodded.
—We'll keep an eye out.
Up ahead, Saval and Semiel walked side by side. Their fingers brushed lightly. A knowing smile crossed their faces without the need for words.
Finally, I can walk like this—with you, unafraid, thought Semiel.
This feels good. So good it scares me how much I need it, thought Saval.
—Are you also thinking about how to skip the next class? —Semiel asked quietly.
—No. But if you've got a good plan, I'm listening.
They laughed, softly. And kept walking.