10

Edgar Torn.

Today was my day off from college. I woke up early, as usual, but this time I couldn't feel that peace that usually comes at the beginning of the day.

I washed my face, got dressed, and made my coffee, as always.

I drank it slowly, but my mind was far away, lost in thoughts that insisted on revolving around Sarah.

She occupied every corner of my mind. It was difficult to explain this feeling—something between fascination, curiosity, and a restlessness I hadn't felt in years. Since Amanda's death, my heart no longer knew what it was like to open up to someone.

And now, here I was, wanting to see her, to observe every detail, wanting to understand how this woman had such an effect on me.

I decided I would go to her house. Not to invade her space, not to scare her or be inconvenient, at least not this time. I just wanted to make sure she was okay and that her routine was going smoothly. I wanted to see her from afar, to feel that she was safe. It was a need I barely understood, but it completely overwhelmed me.

I put on my cap as usual, packed some fruit in my backpack, and got in the car.

I drove up to her building and parked at a reasonable distance, somewhere I could watch her without being seen.

The black cap, which was now part of me, made sure my face was not discovered.

I settled in the car, looking at the building a few times.

In a few minutes, Sarah left the building. She looked happy and relaxed as she walked with her purse on her arm and her phone in her hand.

I also smiled, I was thinking... that’s what I wanted for her, to remain so happy, and nothing bad happened.

I was attentive, Sarah answered messages on her phone, then she got in the car and started, I did the same and put my belt.

Had to follow discreetly.

I continued to follow her, slowly, always attentive.

She stopped the car and went to the cashier. I was glued to her.

I followed Sarah's every move as she walked to the Central Park.

The place where she posted that story on Instagram. It was accurately the place where I used to go with Amanda; there had many memories, and now was having with Sarah.

She sat on a bench not far from me and opened the same notebook that day. She took a deep breath and began to write.

The smile on her face was like a ray of sunshine, it was a more beautiful sight than I imagined. She calmed me in a surreal way.

There, at that moment, it seemed like the world could stop—and I wished it would stop forever. Just to see her beauty.

But suddenly, her expression changed. She became serious; her eyes began to look around, alert.

The tightness in my chest increased.

Had she seen me? Did she sense my presence? I was sitting a few feet from her side. She couldn’t see me.

On impulse, I turned my face down and fiddled with my phone, pretending to be entertained by something but, in reality, trying to control the horde of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me. I couldn't be discovered, not now. Not when things were starting to make sense again.

It was then that she looked down, picked up her cell phone, dialed a number, and started talking to someone.

She was still talking to someone, looking nervous, her lips pressed together, her hands on her lap.

I saw her give a weak smile and say goodbye in a low voice.

Who was she talking to? Who was this person who made her look so embarrassed? Her smile was a mixture of sadness and discouragement.

I stood there in silence, trying to understand. I felt a mixture of jealousy and protectiveness. It was irrational, I knew, but the truth is that I couldn't help it.

At that moment, my cell phone vibrated, breaking my trance.

I answered immediately.

“Professor Edgar?” The voice of the college director sounded on the other end of the line. “We received a call from a woman wanting to schedule an appointment with you, if possible, for tomorrow morning.”

A girl... who could it be?

I asked for her name.

“Sarah Thompson,” replied the dean.

The world seemed to lighten.

She wanted an appointment with me.

An automatic smile formed on my lips, and I couldn't hide it.

“I'm free at eight in the morning. Please schedule it and confirm with her and get back to me,” I said professionally.

The principal confirmed and hung up.

I looked at her, feeling a little nervous. I looked away and then looked back at her. Sarah answered her cell phone. She smiled. She seemed happy, maybe even excited.

Sarah wanted to talk to me.

I was happy, yes. But it meant so much more.

It was a chance to get to know her world, so far from mine but now so close.

It was the possibility of being by her side.

And, who knows, one day, they will be more than just friends. That was what I wanted, for her to be mine alone.

While waiting for the director's call, I couldn't help comparing the two women who had taken my heart.

Amanda, with her sweet smile and her light that seemed to illuminate any place she was in.

And Sarah, with her calm presence, her intense manner, and her writing, seemed to touch my soul.

It was strange, even scary, how something so new affected me as much as something so old.

I didn't want to be away anymore.

I wanted to be there.

I wanted to live that... I wanted Sarah to be with me forever.