MANDY

Mark kept staring at her in the middle of the cafeteria. She was unsure of what to say or do, when he asked, “You are very good at math, right?”

“Is that what Charlie told you?”

“Yes. And also, everybody kind of knows, with you winning competitions and all.”

Wow. He had noticed her. If she didn´t already love math, she would start this moment, just for that reason.

“Let´s say that math is my thing,” she decided to clarify that.

“Good. So, I was thinking if you could help me for the next test. I really need to improve my grades. The swimming coach kind of implied that.”

“Are you failing the class?”

“We can say I´m average. See, math is not my thing,” He informed her with a big smile that moved her. Coming to think of it, he was always so serious. Now that she saw his smile, she loved it.

“I´ll help you study. What do you suggest? We can´t study at the library because they require silence there.”

“And I´ll be practicing after classes. The team has to make 10 hours per week.”

“I don´t suppose you´d be willing to study on weekends.”

“If there is any other way.”

Charlie and Steph come back with their trays.

“So, you two aren´t going to eat?”

“Of course, we are, Charlie. Keep us some seats,” and after saying that, Mark simply takes her hand and they go to serve themselves. She feels sad to let go of his hand to hold the tray. It felt so natural to her.

They decide to think of a study schedule later, and for now, just enjoy lunch with their friends.

The chat all around is about sports and the stress of the tryouts. But Mandy is really concentrating on her crush. His voice is deep and his eyes keep meeting hers. How could they be so blue? Maybe he used contact lenses. People´s blue eyes were normally like the sky. But Mark´s were of a darker color that made them so alive. By the way, all his body was very alive. Even sitting down to eat lunch, there was a sense of movement and energy in his body. She wasn´t sure if it was the same with all teenagers or with all athlets, because she just cared for this one.

And he was enough to keep her occupied.

MARK POV

You always think of straight-A students as nerds. But there was nothing nerd about this girl. She was popular and pretty. Her opinions were intelligent and at the same time respectful. She didn´t force her point of views, just stated them.

Her long brunette hair was like a cascade over her shoulders and she had hazel eyes, which pulled his stare like magnets.

Mark had seen her around school over the years, but they just belonged to different groups. He had even noticed that she kept being humble, even after winning important math competitions. Though she had kind of a fan club, she didn´t let it go up to her head. Mandy talked to younger students at school, that approached her asking about some TV interview or something, always very sweet and patient.

Mandy had been attractive to him for awhile now, so when his new team mate Charlie commented that she was best friend with his sister, he jumped at the opportunity to meet her.

Of course, he could improve his grades by himself, as he always did. But these lessons would permit him to be near her oftenly. And to watch her in the element she loved, studying mathematics, which could be unbelievable for many people. That´s where she would shine more. At least he had this impression when he watched her compete.

Mark was looking forward for these moments with her.

STEPH

“Mandy, you are so lucky! You´ve already had one date with him.”

“Oh, come on Steph. A lunch with a group at school can´t be considered dating.”

“Tell me you didn´t love it…”

“I can´t. Because I LOVED IT.” They giggle and punch each other softly with pillows. The excuse of doing homework together wasn´t convincing even to themselves, as they sat on Mandy´s bed talking about the many emotions of the day.

“And when I saw him taking your hand to go to the line. I almost fainted, my friend.”

“Steph, don´t you think he was just being polite?” Mandy still felt insecure about what had happened.

“Nobody is THAT polite. And think about it. How many more hours will you spend together? Studying together, that´s so romantic…”

“It is, right?”

“Sure, it is… Mark and Mandy… Mandy and Mark…” Now Steph has dreamy eyes. “Wait a minute… Mandy and Mark… That´s M&M…” They burst out laughing at this conclusion. And Steph keeps talking, “If you become a couple and people give you presents with monograms, for example… They will read M&M.”

“Stop Steph… Why can´t you ever be serious?” But Mandy also can´t stop laughing, mainly because Steph makes funny faces as she teases her friend.

“M&M. Chocolate? People will ask. No. Mandy and Mark. Yes, my friend, you will be famous… What do you have to say about that?”

“Steph, come to think about it… Who doesn´t like M&M?”

“I do, Mandy, I certainly do.”

And they hug, because they know that they are silly and young and love is on their way.