Santiago was sitting on a bench in the park, waiting for someone to show up.
Hope this goes well.
Suddenly, a figure appeared and sat down next to him with a sharp motion. It was Semiel.
—Why did you do it? —asked Semiel.
His voice was low, clearly restrained. He wasn't shouting, but he didn't sound calm either. There was a weight of disappointment in it that Santiago didn't want to face. He rubbed his face with both hands, like he was trying to wake up, but he knew it was useless.
—I didn't have a choice —muttered Santiago.
Semiel had just arrived, closed the door behind him, and stood there, looking at his friend like he didn't recognize him. He'd been feeling like that for a while now. Like Santiago had become someone else ever since they got caught up in the whole thing with Antonella. But today was different. Today it wasn't just a suspicion —it was a fact: Santiago had stolen money from the shared fund meant for buying printers.
—You didn't have a choice? —Semiel repeated, sarcastic—. That's your excuse?
—It's not an excuse —Santiago said, barely raising his voice—. It was a decision. I had needs back then, and I... I felt trapped. I needed to buy stuff, I needed money for home.
—Stealing money that belonged to all of us is what you call being trapped?
Santiago finally looked at him, a mix of exhaustion and frustration in his eyes.
—You have no idea the pressure I was under. I needed to get some things, and that money was just sitting there. The whole purchase was stalled, so I took the chance.
—It wasn't your money —Semiel said, frowning.
—I know! —Santiago shouted, suddenly standing up—. I know, dammit! You think I sleep peacefully at night? You think I'm proud of it? I did it because I didn't see another way out.
—Then why didn't you pay it back? That was last year. And more importantly, why didn't you tell us from the start?
Santiago dropped his gaze and swallowed hard. For a moment, the silence was heavier than any words.
—I spent it all... and I was scared —he admitted.
—Scared of what?
—That you'd think I'm corrupt. That you'd turn your backs on me. That you'd leave me alone right when I needed you the most.
Semiel let out a long sigh.
—And in the end, you made that happen anyway, don't you see?
He stood up and started to walk away without saying anything else.
—Semiel! You're just gonna leave? I HELPED YOU! I RISKED EVERYTHING FOR YOU!
Semiel didn't turn around as he replied:
—I know. And thank you. But being around you now is a risk. So... thanks, and goodbye.
He kept walking until he disappeared in the distance.
…
—Something wrong? —asked Saval.
Semiel had just shown up at Saval's house with a serious look on his face.
—You know about the printers?
Saval frowned.
—Those accusations against Santiago? They're fake, right? Must be one of Antonella's setups.
—They're real.
—What? But... how? What happened?
Semiel explained to Saval what had just happened with Santiago at the park.
—He didn't use it for himself —Saval replied calmly—. It was a bad decision, sure, but it's not like he spent it on luxuries. He said he needed it for his house, right? Maybe you don't know the whole story.
—Are you seriously trying to justify it?
—I'm trying to understand it —Saval said, meeting his gaze—. And I'm also thinking about what's at stake if this gets out now. Do you know what Antonella would do with this info?
—Not everything is about Antonella!
—Right now it is —Saval shot back—. Because if she launches a counterattack, it's game over. Not just for Santiago. We'll all be seen as accomplices.
Semiel shook his head, disappointed.
—So to protect a friend who committed a crime, you're just gonna look the other way?
—I'm not saying that. I'm saying we need to think before we act. If this comes out the wrong way, there's no going back.
—And if it doesn't come out? We just pretend it never happened? Keep the secret until it no longer matters? Or until someone else finds out and takes us all down with it?
Saval sighed and leaned on the table, as if his shoulders were carrying too much.
—What do you want me to do, Semiel?
—I want you to stop acting like Santiago's the only one who matters. We trusted him too. And he lied to us.
He looked at his friend—this was the same Semiel he'd shared everything with from the start: the livestreams, the Discord calls, the nights playing Minecraft. He'd been closer to him than anyone else. But now he felt like a stranger.
Semiel didn't answer. The silence stretched, heavy and uncomfortable.
Saval pressed his lips together. He didn't know what to say.
—I can't keep supporting this —Semiel said finally—. We can't cover it up. The evidence is already online. His counterattack was solid, but if Antonella has more proof, we'll be screwed.
—So what are you gonna do? Go to Antonella?
—No —Semiel replied—. But I'm not gonna lie if someone asks. I'm not gonna defend something I no longer believe in.
There was a pause. Santiago felt a knot in his stomach.
—I get it —Saval said at last.
Semiel looked at him with a trace of sadness, like someone saying goodbye to a friend who wouldn't ever be the same.
He walked to the door, but stopped before leaving. He turned to Saval.
—You do what you think is right, okay?
Saval nodded, a little thrown off.
Semiel held his gaze.
—Then hear this. You can make whatever choice you want about Santiago. Stand by him or not. But if someone tries to hurt you... I'll be there. Because you... you're the one who matters most to me in all of this.
For you I am willing to betray the world, because.... I love you Saval.
Saval looked at him, confused. He didn't know what to say. For a second, it looked like he was going to respond, but Semiel had already walked out the door.