He planned it for a long, long time, he knew exactly what to say and how to say it.

But the second that Michela found him, he started changing his plans.

Her eyes brightened as soon and she saw him

“Nick there you are! I’ve been looking for you for ages”

“I thought I told you the meetup point?”

“Do you know how many lakes there are in this park? You didn’t even bother to answer my phone calls”

“Oh my god i’m so sorry I didn’t even-“

“Don’t worry, you’re fine. I’m in a hurry today so let’s get right into doing our homework”

The park wasn’t so crowded that day and the location was perfect.

The lake reflected light on its surface, while the carps in it kept swimming in a circle, tall and old trees were undressing in front of their eyes, as their leaves fell in the water.

Nicolas felt his intestines tying up in a ribbon inside him, while his anxiety made him nauseous, his hands were sweaty and he really didn’t have a pleasing expression on his face.

“You ok?”

“Yea don’t worry about it i’m fine, woul-“

“Where’s your backpack Nick? Don’t tell me that you left it somewhere, that’s great way to have something stolen”

Michela was right in front of him, standing in the middle of the pass as Nick was holding on the fence next to the lake like his life depended on it.

Nicolas smiled, she was stunning; Her dark curly hair were full of colorful plastic pins, she was wearing a white short-sleeved tee and grey jeans, what she called her “basic girl fit”, her thin lips complemented her big, round eyes.

“Can you com-“

“I asked you where’s your..”

Nick knew that she didn’t interrupt him on purpose, he kept smiling as she looked at him with challenging eyes.

“I’m sorry”

She came next to him and they admired the lake in silence

“Soathing right?”

He moved his arm so that their elbows could touch

“Where’s your backpack Nick”

He took a big breath in as he turned to her side to look her in the eyes, he knew that the silence wouldn’t have lasted long, and he had to be the one to break it.

“Michela listen to me”

She gave him a weird look that made him hestitate, but it was too late

“You are the funnest, prettier, most creative and understanding person I know, everytime we spend time together I feel high, your paintings are amazing, for the first time I felt interested in art, you make me want to discover new things, hobbies, dive into myself. When i’m with you I dream, I have feelings for you, deep feelings that don’t limit themselves to simple affection”

He did NOT follow his plan.

What the hell did he just say.

“Nick, jesus crist”

He felt the ground dissolve under his feet, what is he going to do?

“Nick i’m sorry but I can’t”

Said Michela as she walked away, no explanations or regards, she just walked away.

What else was she supposed to do?

You fucked up, Nick