Thinking Big.

(16TH) D-Don’t be nasty! Last class today was P.E., of course I smell funny…

Alícia got very close to 16th for a moment there, 16th has been madly in love with Alícia since they met each other in middle school, a while ago 16th revealed his feelings to her, but the thoughts and nervousness around her is still present in 16th even after so many years of knowing each other.

(ALÍCIA) I know, I saw you.

(16TH) W-What do you mean you saw me?

(ALÍCIA) Through the window!

Alícia continues walking, 16th resumes his pace beside her. Alícia and 16th live closer to each other so, when possible, 16th likes to go back home alongside Alícia.

16th has his small group of friends, mostly classmates, Alícia does too, but their friendship is definitely the most important one for both of them.

(16TH) You spying on me?!

(ALÍCIA) Yep, I don’t have anything better to do.

As they walk a brief silence interrupts the conversation, 16th is not very good at it, so Alícia often does the talking.

(ALÍCIA) We had the history test, I finished early.

(16TH) Oh, we have it on Monday— How did it go? What was in there?

(ALÍCIA) Topics three through five.

(16TH) What? I thought it was just gonna be three and four…

Says 16th extremely bummed by the news. 16th is not a very good student but not a bad one either. Alícia, on the other hand, is better at studying, she’s the kind of person who can just sit down at their desk and hit the books. This doesn’t mean Alícia is top of the class, in fact, she does enough to get a good grade, but does not try to reach for perfection.

(ALÍCIA) Yep, we too.

(16TH) Dammit, I haven’t looked at anything about topic five… I better get to it, then— tsch, I was so excited to just take a shower and relax!

Alícia has always been very passive when it comes to showing emotions, more specifically bad ones, as a kid she was on the quieter side which probably made her bottle up a lot of resentment and such, but even nowadays Alícia will usually find the bright side to almost any problem.

(ALÍCIA) Come on, tomorrow’s Friday, then you have the whole weekend to unwind.

(16TH) I wish… cousins are coming on Saturday and we have family lunch on Sunday. I’m already stressed just by thinking about it.

(ALÍCIA) Aww… I’m sorry to hear that…

Like everyone else, and even if it doesn’t look like it, Alícia has problems she’s been dealing with. 16th might be the only one, beside her parents, who know more about the intrinsic mind of Alícia.

Nonetheless, Alícia prefers to talk about mundane things, and she is always eager to hear her esteemed ones vent when they need it. Alícia never gets deeper on the topic if the other person does not want to, which sometimes might feel like she doesn’t care, but it’s not that.

(16TH) Eh it’s ok, not much you can do about it, but thanks, Alícia…

The amount of times Alícia shared something deeply personal with someone is low, 16th has had the privilege to take a peek into Alícia’s worries a couple of times in the past, and this time it’s going to be a bit different.

(ALÍCIA) Well… there might be something.

(16TH) Hm?

(ALÍCIA) It’s a secret, though.

(16TH) What is it?

(ALÍCIA) There is something special about me, you know.

(16TH) Gosh, where is this going…

Alícia likes to joke around, 16th knows this, that’s just how she is.

(ALÍCIA) I’m being serious, 16th.

(16TH) Alright sorry, but tell what is it.

(ALÍCIA) You have to promise you won’t freak out…

(16TH) Alícia you are scaring me.

That sentence changed 16th mood completely, Alícia being serious is unusual, Alícia asking him to please not freak out is unheard. The combination of these two makes 16th think, and rightfully so, something bad has happened.

(ALÍCIA) It’s ok, I promise.

(16TH) O-Ok…

Alícia stops and so does 16th who is now facing her.

(ALÍCIA) Have you ever done something violent to, let’s say, release energy?

(16TH) Alícia what is going on— have you hurt someone?

(ALÍCIA) Oh no no, you know well I’m not that kind of person!

He knows that.

(16TH) Yeah, I do know, that is why I’m worried! You’ve been way calmer than usual— which is to say.

(ALÍCIA) It’s because of what I’m trying to tell you, silly…

(16TH) But what is it!

16th’s patience is very finite and obviously doesn’t want to get mad at Alícia, but he is extremely worried.

(ALÍCIA) I have discovered that I heal injuries faster than most-

16th grabs one of Alícia’s arms and pulls the sleeve all the way up in a quick sweeping motion.

(ALÍCIA) Hey, calm down, I’m not hurting myself… but even if I was, you wouldn’t see it, I’m telling you I heal fast.

16th’s heart skips a beat and after a split second of relief he realises the conversation is far from over. Quickly grabs Alícia by her shoulders.

(16TH) Alícia, you told me to not bring this up but— you are beautiful and very important to me, you know I love you, you know this— 

(ALÍCIA) I asked you to not bring it up because it’s not that, 16th, I know you’re trying to understand but it’s not that…

(16TH) You don’t need to look for approval from other people— Alícia, are you offering… some services…

16th blushes and lowers his voice while saying this at the same time he takes a step back.

(ALÍCIA) What? Of course not, I don’t need anyone’s approval… I just need their help, that is why I am letting other people beat me up every now and then.

(16TH) WHAT?!

While saying that, his brain is still processing in case he misheard.

(ALÍCIA) I’m fine, they get to vent and I heal, it’s really not a problem—

(16TH) Alícia what the fuck are you talking about!? If this is a joke it’s not funny!

16th is now raising his voice, the thought of someone hurting Alícia is tying a knot on his throat.

(ALÍCIA) You promised—

(16TH) Is someone forcing you to do this?!

(ALÍCIA) 16th you are not listening to—

(16TH) Alícia you need to run away from them! You will get hurt!

Alícia is a very passive girl, and not only when it comes to emotions like previously mentioned, but with all sorts of problems. For 16th it just makes sense Alícia is being manipulated, even if he thinks she’s too smart for that.

(ALÍCIA) I’m not, 16th, I’m not! I— I am getting hurt, but it’s ok, see?

(ALÍCIA) No injuries, no scars, I’m fine, really.

(16TH) You are not fine, you are crazy.

For some reason this triggered her, 16th also regrets having said she’s crazy, but it’s too late now.

Alícia raises her sweater momentarily to show 16th there are no signs of abuse, and she keeps showing parts of her body in a very erratic way, which is strange behaviour for someone like Alícia.

(ALÍCIA) Just try it.

(16TH) Try what.

(ALÍCIA) Hurt me.

Alícia is acting strange, her charismatic smile now looks jarring through 16th’s eyes.

(16TH) Are you serious?

Alícia grabs one of 16th’s arms with one hand while with the other tries to close his hand into a fist.

(ALÍCIA) You will feel better and I like it. I promise everything will make sense.

(16TH) Let me go! I would never fucking hurt you! How can you even ask me that!

Even though part of his heart wants to enjoy the warmth and softness of Alícia’s hands, 16th quickly and almost instinctively pushes Alícia back.

(16TH) Alícia— Alícia just— Just tell me what is going on, I can help you.

16th gestures to hint Alícia should be restrained.

(ALÍCIA) I’m trying, dummy—

(16TH) Stop it… Please stop it, Alícia.

Alícia has a very sweet voice tone, and often uses fillers like “dummy”, “silly” and such to refer to other people in a friendly way, but now it’s pissing 16th off.

(ALÍCIA) 16th you need to trust me, have I ever lied to you?

(16TH) Do— Do your parents know about this?

16th has lost all faith in trying to convince her to stop whatever it is that is going on.

(ALÍCIA) Of course not, they wouldn’t understand…

(16TH) I’m telling them.

(ALÍCIA) 16th, if you do that you will force me to leave everything behind.

Alícia is dead serious about this, 16th thinks she’s exaggerating and bluffing. 16th wants the best for her, even if that means she will stop talking to him.

16th has now made a very tough decision: Between losing a friendship or losing a friend, the answer is clear.

(16TH) Don’t follow me.

(ALÍCIA) You don’t want that for me, right?

16h is walking away but Alícia follows him closely, almost whispering into his ear.

(ALÍCIA) I finally feel useful doing this, and I’m truly ok, I promise.

(16TH) Don’t follow me, Alícia.

(ALÍCIA) 16th I know how it sounds, but I am not crazy, you are my best friend—

16th stops and turns around, he is crying. Alícia’s smile disappears instantly, as if it was never there to begin with.