07:36 a.m. Nick’s Room.

— So much for the second time being easier… — muttered Nick under his breath, shaking off T-shirt number three.

Yeah, right.

 The wardrobe seemed smaller today. Every option was either already worn or definitely not for this. Sure, he could wear the same T-shirt again. But that felt like repeating a bad line from a movie that already bombed. And Nick wasn’t here to repeat — he was here to deliver.

Pants? Fine. The same dark blue ones — freshly ironed this time.

Hair? Under control. No hairspray. Looking pretty diplomatic - like it just made peace with the shampoo or something.

— “Okay... top half, let’s see…”

He rummaged through the closet. Grey? No. Hoodie? Maybe. Wait! The green hoodie. The good one. The one too nice to wear, because what if something spills on it?

 He held it to his nose.

— “Mom washed it?”

Sniff-sniff.

— “Woman, I love you.”

 After that, everything kinda blurred together.

The hallway. Mari. That smile.

— “Good luck. Today’s your day.”

 Four classes. Geography — survived. Chemistry — absent in spirit. Biology — cloning plants, while his brain cloned panic scenarios.

 — “What have I learned in two days? Oh yeah. ‘How not to die from stress.’ Works for me.”

And now, again. The cafeteria doors. Same setup as before. Heart — thump-thump-thump. Throat — dry. Hands — please don’t shake, I beg you.

 But this time, he knows what’s inside. Food. And Nila. Maybe. Probably. Hopefully.

 Deep breath.  Hand on the door.  Step forward. Nick crossed the threshold.

 The first few seconds — same as always: noise, smell of food, clatter of trays, endless chatter.

But Nick had learned his first rule — spot her face right away.

 Look left — no. Right — yes. There she is.  Standing in line.  Same calm confidence. Hair falling perfectly over her shoulder. Phone in hand, that usual tilt of the head, a slightly tense brow.

 She’s real. And she’s here.

 Nick’s heart did a full double flip.

 — “Okay, hero. Showtime.”

Mari appeared out of nowhere — like a shadow with perfect timing.

— “Good luck,” she whispered, smiling faintly. “I’m right here if you crash. But you won’t.”

 Nick nodded. Not exactly confidently — but enough to move.

 He walked up to Nila. That second felt like it went on forever.

 — “Hey,” he said. Quiet, but steady.

 Nila turned.... Smiled.

 — “Oh, hey! You’re from… the parallel class, right? We sat near the cafeteria once?”

 She remembers.  Nick smiled back before his brain even caught up.

 — “Yeah. I just thought… maybe sometime… we could grab a tea? There’s this new place on the corner. Weird muffins, good tea.”

 Pause.

 — “Oh…” Nila blinked. “Hm. Why not? Someone offering me tea — that’s already a plus. Today? After classes? Four o’clock?”

 It. Happened.

 Nick stood there for a few seconds, not entirely processing what his body had just accomplished. Nila turned back to her tray, scanning the lunch options.

 He… powered down.

Turned around. Walked a few steps. Collapsed on the bench near the wall — right beside Mari. She barely had time to blink.

— “You were gone for… what, a minute? You didn’t even— What happened?”

 No answer. Nick stared into space. Blank face. Eyes all wide like he'd just seen a UFO or something.

— “Earth to Nick…” Mari waved a hand in front of his face. “Nick? Nicholas?! What even—”

 He blinked. Slowly turned his head.

 — “Mari.” Pause.  “She. Said. Yes.”

 Mari froze for a solid three seconds.

 — “I’m sorry, what?”

 — “SHE SAID YES.” His voice suddenly back online.  “Me. Her. Café. Today. After school. I. Asked. She....”

 — “I got it,” Mari interrupted, grinning ear to ear. “You’re officially a legend.”

 He said nothing. Then raised his brows slightly.

— “I’m still not sure this isn’t a dream.”

 — “If you want, I can poke you in the ribs to check,” she teased.

 — “No, thanks. I’d rather keep this moment intact.”