XI

When Alex arrived at the mall's food court, Caroline was already waiting for him:

They sat side by side.

"I thought no one would come," said Caroline.

Alex had a prepared smile that somewhat disguised his dejected state.

"Didn't Silvio come?"

"As you can see, no. I couldn't reach him yesterday. He went out with his brother, Eric, who is his best friend. I called again this morning, and he was already out on the street again. I left a message with his mother, saying we could come earlier. Now we wait... maybe two hours."

"Alright."

"I see you're sad. Is it because of Maria?"

Alex shook his head, not in denial, but in repulsion.

"Maria... I heard some things from Léo that bothered me."

"Do you want to tell me?"

"I didn't want to bother you with these things."

"Come on, maybe if we think about it together, we can figure it out."

"Not figure it out... I'll tell you. Léo said Maria doesn't like me."

"She told him that?"

"No, they were his conclusions."

Caroline smiled:

"And you believe him, and trust what he told you?"

"They are intelligent conclusions."

"Hmm, intelligent conclusions based on what?"

"I don't want to talk about it, it's too humiliating."

"Would you allow me to guess?"

"Of course, I just don't think you can even imagine."

"I'll try... You made an effort to get her attention, but she didn't show it, didn't reciprocate... Léo, as your friend, ended up being offended by this."

"I should have told her *what* I felt, the truth. Been sincere."

"Being sincere? Few people are, but you are."

"Why don't I understand this?"

Caroline moved closer to her new friend and gave him a strong hug:

"Don't think too much about it. Maria lost a great catch. You might be thinking now that you won't find anyone better, and a lot of other pessimistic things. But the truth is one: you can't be happy with her."

"Why!?"

The people at other tables looked at the couple, surprised by the volume of Alex's voice, but they weren't concerned, as Caroline maintained a very open smile.

"You are very different. Have you never wondered about the need to be reciprocated in what you feel? To be understood in your way?"

"She is special, beautiful in everything..."

"The greatest beauty is in her eyes. One day you will understand everything I'm telling you, one day when you find someone who also loves you..." Caroline looked intently into Alex's eyes, seeing him so deeply that it seemed she could see his soul. "You've suffered a great heartbreak, haven't you?"

"No! She was the first person I loved."

"You've never been in love?"

"No..."

"Strange! Be honest. There was someone, wasn't there?"

Alex covered his eyes with his right hand, crying:

"I don't know, I don't know, I don't know. Where I came from, when I was born, who my parents were. I don't know if I loved, if I cried. I only remember that I've always lived."

"What?"

"*This guy here* doesn't have a past. He doesn't remember anything, only vague images, nightmares."

"You mean... What do you really mean?"

"That I don't remember anything that happened to me in the last few years." Alex poured out his secret, then smiled, and calmer continued: "I'm sorry, I'm confusing you. You gave me some of your attention, and I'm taking all your afternoon and spirit. For now, I'll say I had a terrible time, and I believe with a little help from you I can forget all this..." He paused and joked: "Women drive us crazy."

The couple walked to a long bench in a corner of the food court, where they sat side-by-side. Caroline steered the conversation toward fiction, while Alex described a story; a single one that didn't portray the idealized image of his love for Maria.

It was a science fiction story very poor in descriptions. We must understand that our hero lacked this knowledge. Two hours passed, enough time for the tears to dry and for smiles to appear on their faces with all the vivacity of youth.

"Why didn't I meet you sooner?" asked Alex, who moved closer, seeking in the young woman's scent undeniable proof of her existence.

On the other side of the food court, Silvio, embarrassed by what the mall's customers were thinking as they saw him frantically searching, spotted his friend and the unknown young man in the distance.

With an enthusiastic movement, Caroline lunged forward, while she warned him:

"Behave yourself, boy!"

Driven by an instinctive human need, perhaps a consequence of his loneliness. Alex lunged in for a kiss. Which, so unexpected, paralyzed the young woman.

Silvio, who was watching, quickly turned 180 degrees and left without any intention of returning.

"No! It's not like that!" exclaimed Caroline. "You can't just take things like this."

Alex, whose shame had taken control of even his limbs, bent over until his chest rested on his legs.

"I'm sorry," whispered Alex.

"What?" asked Caroline, even though she understood the request.

"I don't know what's wrong with me. Many things have happened. I wasn't, and I'm not ready to face half of what I've faced. The truth is, I'm immature. I didn't want to offend you." said Alex as he stood up. "I'm leaving, this isn't the right time for this."

Alex gestured restlessly.

"Calm down, Alex. Sit down. I'll overlook it. I see that you're not well, truly."

"It's not you. It was wonderful to be able to vent with you, but I need to be alone. I want to be alone, today; just today."

Caroline stood up and gave her friend a strong hug:

"See what you're doing. Remember that you have a friend here who likes you very much."

"Thank you, Caroline."

"Carol!" Caroline corrected.

Caroline pinched Alex's belly hard, and he yelped.

"And that's for your audacity," she said.