Dan goes up the stairs and opens the door. His gaze fixes on his partner who is...
Sofia, Noemí's friend. They look at each other with annoyance and disbelief.
-"Wow, lucky me," Sofia said sarcastically, crossing her arms.
-"I was just thinking the same thing. Out of all the girls in school, it had to be you," Dan closed the door behind him.
-"I feel the same way, but what can you do."
-"By the way, where's your friend Noemí? Where did you leave her?"
Sofia raised an eyebrow curiously.
-"Why do you ask? Do you like her or something?"
-"It's not that. It's just that you two are always together, so I thought it was weird she wasn't with you."
-"She's waiting for her partner somewhere else."
-"So you convinced her to do the same thing as you too."
-"Well, and speaking of which... What about Josi? You two are always so close, it's weird to see you apart."
-"He went to find his partner too."
-"So you convinced him to do the same thing as you too!" Sofia exclaimed with a teasing smile.
Dan sighed and pulled out his phone.
-"Shut up and let's just take the photo to get this over with."
Sofia nodded and moved a little closer.
-"You're right. I need to go check on Noemí – I don't want anyone bothering her."
They moved closer until they were standing together. Dan held up his phone to take the photo, both of them with annoyed looks on their faces.
(Anything for extra credit.)
After the photo, Dan and Sofia came down from the rooftop.
-"By the way, what number did Noemí get?" Dan asked.
-"Hmm... I think it was 149."
-"149... It sounds familiar, but I can't remember who that is."
Elsewhere, near the main stairs, Josías was walking. He went up a few steps and there was Noemí.
-"Excuse me. Noemí?" Josías asked.
Noemí jumped and quickly turned to look at Josías.
-"Yes?" she asked nervously, holding her number in her hands.
-"Are you number 149?"
-"Yep, that's me," Noemí said, a bit more relaxed.
Josías just thought to himself with a teasing smile: Lucky you, Dan...
-"Then we're partners."
-"You're Dan's friend, right?" Noemí asked, curiosity in her eyes.
-"Yeah, I'm Josías – one of his best friends. Do you know Dan?"
-"Not really... Though he's been trying to talk to me lately."
-"Why don't you answer him? Do you not like him?"
Noemí shook her head quickly.
-"It's not that. It's just... Guys only talk to me to ask for my notes. None of them have ever wanted to have a different kind of conversation with me."
-"I understand. I know why you act that way," Josi said, understanding her.
-"And for it to be the most popular guy wanting to have that kind of conversation with me – it's even weirder."
-"Yeah, it is weird, but Dan's a good guy. He probably just wants to be your friend. You know how he likes to be friends with everyone."
Josi thought to himself, not showing any expression other than a smile: Shit, I can't tell her he's talking to her to win a bet...
-"So you can talk to him without being scared. He's... funny. He could be a good friend to you."
-"Do you really think... he wants to be my friend?" she asked shyly.
-"Of course. You might even become best friends. Just try talking to him – everything in good time."
-"Maybe you're right. Though I always get nervous when he comes over."
-"Why is that? Does that only happen with Dan?"
-"Yes. But it's because he's the only one who's tried to talk to me. I'm used to going unnoticed."
-"Then why aren't you nervous with me?"
-"Because I was already prepared. I got ready to talk to whoever my partner was going to be."
-"Ah, so you were already ready to meet your partner without feeling nervous."
Noemí nodded her head.
-"Yes, even if it had been Dan, I was ready."
Josi smiled.
-"Good that you're relaxed. Alright, shall we take the photo?"
-"Yep, and thanks – I'll try talking to Dan from now on."
Josi pulled out his phone and moved a little closer to take the photo.
-"You're welcome. I hope you two can be good friends."
They took the photo together. Noemí looked more relaxed than nervous.
-"Well, I'm going to find my friend. Goodbye, Josías," Noemí said before slowly going up the stairs.
-"Goodbye, Noemí," Josias went down the stairs to walk through the halls below.
As Josias was walking, he ran into Dan.
-"Did you manage to find your partner?" Josías asked.
-"Yeah, though I would've preferred not to participate. But did you find yours?"
-"Yeah, I found mine too."
-"You did? Tell me who it was," Dan asked curiously.
-"Hmm... A girl from Noemí's class."
-"Ohhh... I see. Well, at least we have our points now."
-"Yeah, come on – let's get something to eat. I'm hungry."
Dan laughed, and they walked toward the cafeteria to get something to eat.