Saval hadn't planned on going out that afternoon. Since kissing Semiel, his mind had been spinning in circles, filled with thoughts he couldn't quite untangle. He'd spent the last hour lying on his bed, staring at the ceiling, wondering what he truly felt—and how close or far Semiel was from feeling the same.
Mia's message arrived suddenly, cutting through the whirlwind in his mind.
You free? Want to talk for a bit at the park?
Saval hesitated. He considered saying no, that he'd rather stay home, keep turning things over in silence. But some part of him knew that wouldn't help. He needed air. Needed to think aloud with someone who wasn't tangled up in the emotional knot tightening in his chest.
When he reached the park, Mia was already waiting on a bench, a water bottle in her hands and earbuds dangling around her neck. She smiled faintly as he approached.
—Everything okay? —she asked as he sat beside her.
—Yeah. Well... sort of. —Saval avoided direct eye contact.
A few seconds passed in silence, filled only by rustling leaves and the occasional distant shriek of children playing. Mia didn't push. She let Saval take his time.
—Sometimes it feels like everything's moving too fast, —he finally said—. Like I can't catch up to what's happening.
—In general? —Mia turned toward him.
Saval nodded, then dropped his gaze to his interlaced fingers.
—Yeah. In general. And also... with certain people.
Mia took a sip of water. Then, without preamble, asked:
—Do you like someone?
Saval looked up sharply. He hadn't expected such a direct question. Hesitated.
—I don't know, —he said at last—. It's complicated.
—Complicated why? —she pressed, not pushy but curious.
—Because... I didn't plan for this. Didn't think it would happen. And now it's just... there, and I don't know what to do with it.
Mia studied him for a few seconds, then smiled.
—It's okay not to know. What matters is that you're honest with yourself.
—I don't want to hurt anyone, —Saval murmured—. And I don't want to ruin what we have.
—Are you scared of losing them?
Saval nodded slowly.
—Yeah. A lot.
Mia sighed and leaned an elbow against the bench's backrest, turning more fully toward him.
—I'll be honest, —she said—. I'd noticed.
—Noticed what?
—That you're confused. That there's someone who... shakes you up more than you want to admit. But I also noticed how much you care about them. And that you're trying.
Saval pressed his lips together.
—Thanks for not pushing.
—I never would, —she replied calmly—. I just want you to be okay, really. And if I can help, even just by listening, I'm here.
Saval felt relief. Talking about these things wasn't easy. But with Mia, everything felt less threatening. Lighter.
—Thanks, —he said at last—. This helped.
—Anytime, —she replied, standing and brushing off her pants—. Go on, go figure out whatever you need to figure out.
Saval walked her to the park's exit before taking a different path. As he walked, a strange mix settled in his chest—relief, yes, but also a soft, persistent anxiety. He thought of Semiel. Of the exact moment their lips had touched. Of the look that followed. Of everything left unspoken.
By the time he reached Semiel's house, dusk had begun to fall. He hesitated before ringing the bell. A few seconds passed before the door opened. Semiel looked at him with a mix of surprise and a faint smile.
—Here to talk?
Saval nodded.
—Yeah.
Semiel narrowed his eyes slightly, as if turning something over internally. Then he opened the door wider and gestured inside.
—My dad's home. Want to come in... or talk out here?
The question hung between them, loaded with subtext neither dared address yet. Saval looked at him, heart beating a little faster than normal, and didn't answer right away.