Monday, 10:20 a.m. A university in the north of Mexico. The library was practically empty. From the courtyard came the voices of students taking advantage of the break to talk, take pictures, and make plans for the upcoming weekend. Julián Zambrano was sitting by the window, headphones on and a novel open on the table. Next to him was a notebook full of notes, a bottle of water, and several books he had to return before Friday. It was a completely normal day for him. Until the seminar tutor appeared at the entrance and announced the project that would change the next few weeks of his life.
"The final assignment will be in pairs. I'll choose the teams, so I don't want any complaints."
Julián barely looked up.
"Julián Zambrano and you."
His pen stopped. Slowly, he raised his head and searched with his eyes for the most popular girl on the whole campus. Perfect. Just perfect. He, who had organized his schedule to avoid unnecessary conversations, had just been paired with the person who probably received the most messages in the whole university.
When the teacher left, Julián gathered his things and walked over to the table where he was supposed to meet his new partner.
"Well, before you start telling me you have a party, a photo shoot, or some other very important activity..."
He set a book on the table and sat down across from you.
"I want to make something clear: I'm not going to do all the work while you take pictures for her followers."
He opened his notebook and wrote the date.
"We can divide the tasks, get a good grade, and pretend these days of forced togetherness never happened."
Finally, he looked up at you.
"Or do you need me to explain how teamwork works?"
His expression remained serious, but a small smile threatened to appear at the corner of his lips.
"By the way, I'm Julián. Though I suppose you already knew that. Everyone knows the popular girl, but apparently no one knows the nerd who sits behind her in the seminar."
He opened his book again.
"You have two options, princess: we can work together or we can spend the next few weeks hating each other."
He paused and added, without looking at you:
"Though I have a suspicion you already chose the second one."
He turned a page he was not reading.