Episode 1

...Eros...

...The Sunday sun flooded my room, painting everything in a golden light. After getting ready for the day, I went downstairs for coffee, my mind already planning the adventure that awaited me. A visit to my friend Leonardo and the promise of a trip to the mall. Adrenaline pulsed through my veins, the anticipation of boarding school, which would soon welcome me, filled my thoughts....

...We arranged to meet at 3 p.m., and with each passing minute, the anticipation grew. My father Lorenzo, always thoughtful, dropped us off at the mall, and Leonardo and I immersed ourselves in the universe of movie options....

...While he was concentrating on choosing the movie, my body asked for a short bathroom break. Upon returning, a familiar voice caught my attention:...

..."Eros? You dropped something...."

...I turned around, cell phone glued to my ear, and came face to face with a young man my age. Blond with light eyes, his style mixed rock with a touch of nerd, and in his eyes, an intriguing aura invited me to unravel its mysteries....

...I approach smiling, and he returns it with a slight nod of his lips. As I reach out to grab my student ID, I inadvertently touch his, and feel a chill run through my body....

..."Thank you," I murmur, still surprised by the unexpected connection. "If it weren't for you, I would have had to run after this again. Getting one from the institution wasn't easy...."

...He just smiles as he puts his hands in his jacket pockets....

..."You're welcome, Eros Santoro...."

...Impressive. He already knew my name....

...I thank him once again, his eyes fixed on mine, and turn to go towards the cinema. But before my feet can carry me away, he takes my shoulder and starts walking beside me....

..."My name is Miguel Falconer...."

..."Nice to meet you, Miguel. Good to know your name too," I reply, a shy smile forming on my lips....

...Miguel smiles back. "I'm going to study at that institution too...."

...I stop walking, perplexed by the coincidence. A wave of excitement washes over me....

..."I hope we'll be friends then...."

...I look at my watch, guilt consuming me for being late....

..."Sorry, I have to go, my friend is waiting for me. We're supposed to watch a movie...."

...But before I can walk away, he asks me an unexpected question....

..."Can I have your number? If it's not too much trouble...."

...I'm speechless for a moment, but why not? We're going to be schoolmates, after all. I type my number into his cell phone, and he immediately sends me a message on WhatsApp. I save his contact and get ready to leave....

..."I really have to go now, Miguel. See you tomorrow, okay?..."

...With an unexpected gesture, he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear....

..."See you tomorrow, Eros Santoro...."

...His smile follows me as I hurry towards the cinema. What a handsome and mysterious guy. Could he be...? No, men don't do that. Hit on other guys in public? Impossible. I must be needy. What made me think a guy like Miguel would be hitting on me?...

...I know I'm handsome and all, and so is Miguel, so no. He wouldn't do that. Unless he was gay. Could he be gay?...

...But I'm not gay. As far as I know, I'm straight. Right?!...

...Doubt lingers in my mind as I head to the cinema. Everything in front of me becomes a blur, my thoughts consumed by a whirlwind of emotions. Miguel Falconer, you will now be fixed in my mind....

...Miguel...

...Half an hour earlier, my cell phone vibrated with a message from my childhood friend, Raul Ferrari: "Mall, wanna go?"...

...Raul and I have been inseparable since we were born, or maybe even before. Our friendship is stronger than any blood ties, and he has always been by my side, through every school change, every new country....

...We started out abroad, exploring the United States and then England. Now, in high school, I decided to return to Brazil to finish my studies at the Royal Academy, and guess who came with me? Yes, the inseparable Raul....

...Although we are like brothers, there is no blood between us. We are accomplices, confidants, partners in everything....

...With my cell phone in hand, I reply to Raul's message: "See you there."...

...Arriving at the mall, I head to the bathroom. As I leave, a guy my age walks past me, dropping something on the floor without noticing. I watch him as he walks on, oblivious to the lost object....

...I look down at the object and see that it is a Royal Academy ID with the name "Eros Santoro". Wow! The name perfectly matches the angelic face of the boy in the photo....

...I call out to him and he turns around, our eyes meeting for a brief moment. Man, I'm not one to do this, I swear! The only person who has ever awakened this kind of admiration in me was Raul, but this Eros......

...I mentally pinch myself. It can't be. I can't be attracted to another man, especially after the thoughts I have about Raul....

...Eros looks at me with a charming smile, revealing dimples that make him look like a Greek god of love. I try to control myself and reach out to hand him the ID. He does the same, and our fingers touch, causing a strange sensation, like deja vu....

...Eros takes the ID, thanks me, and before leaving, I mention that I will also be studying at the Royal Academy. He seems excited about the possibility of us being friends, and my heart skips a beat. More than friends? I pinch myself again. What's happening to me? This feeling only came up when I......

...Before Eros walks away, I take the initiative and ask for his cell phone number. He seems surprised, but gives me his number without hesitation. After all, we're going to be schoolmates, so why not start the friendship now?...

...He types his number into my cell phone and, without thinking twice, I do something Raul usually does with me: I tuck a strand of Eros' hair behind his ear. He blushes slightly, turns his face and says he has to go....

...I say goodbye to him, watching him as he walks away towards the cinema....

...Oh, Eros. I hope you will be my new roommate and, who knows, a great friend. Or maybe something more......

...Raul...

...Sunday. The fog of Sunday laziness mixes with the imminence of returning to school. The sameness that repeats itself year after year, only softened by the presence of "Miguel". I open WhatsApp and there is his message: "Good morning!", a beacon of joy in the midst of a sea of boredom. Miguel, the reason I drag my feet to school, the reason for my watchful eye, the friend I want to protect and, I confess, the company I long for. Deep down, I like him. Romantically and dangerously....

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