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The museum was quiet, despite the presence of schoolchildren. Spacious halls with high ceilings and cold marble floors gave the impression of a temple dedicated to art. A soft murmur of voices echoed under the arches, but the teachers kept a strict watch, ensuring the noise remained within acceptable limits. In the group Emma was assigned to, the atmosphere was mixed: some teenagers were eagerly studying the exhibits, while others openly showed their boredom.
Mark, standing slightly apart, was absently scanning the hall, trying not to draw attention. The students drifted between exhibits, whispering or exchanging jokes. His gaze briefly flicked over the group and, for a moment, locked eyes with Dan. The boy, noticing Emma looking at him, gave a faint smile and winked. Mark quickly averted his gaze, feeling heat rush to his cheeks.
“No. This is just… wrong,” Mark barely restrained his irritation. “I’m not some girl, for God’s sake, I’m a man. I’m thirty-five years old. This is ridiculous. I can’t… I can’t react like this,” he thought angrily, berating himself. But his body didn’t seem to listen. His heart raced, and his breathing hitched like a teenager experiencing awkward feelings for the first time.
— He’s cool, isn’t he? — Jessica giggled softly, nudging him lightly with her elbow.
— Who? — Mark replied sharply, trying to sound indifferent.
Jessica rolled her eyes, her voice turning softer but retaining a teasing edge:
— Oh, come on, you think I don’t notice? — She chuckled knowingly and leaned in a little closer. — I saw him wink at you. And now you’re all red. Just admit it, you like Dan.
“Red? No, that’s impossible. I’m not a girl; I’m Mark! I’ve always liked women—their softness, their smiles, their… But Dan? He’s just a guy in this weird situation. A man can’t make me feel…” His thoughts stumbled, and he unconsciously crossed his arms over his chest in a defensive posture.
Mark stole a quick glance at Dan, who was now leaning casually against a display case, chatting with classmates. His confident posture, slightly messy hair, that easy smile… Mark felt his breathing quicken again. He wanted to look away but couldn’t.
“Why? Why am I looking? Why… is my heart beating so fast? This is wrong… I’m not like this. I’ve never been attracted to men. Never!” His fingers twitched as he gripped the edge of the display stand without realizing it.
— Emma, are you trying to hypnotize him? — Jessica snapped her fingers playfully in front of his face, pulling Mark out of his tense daze. His heart was still pounding, his thoughts racing, but he pulled himself together and acted as if everything was fine.
— Stop it. I was just… thinking, — he waved her off, avoiding eye contact with Jessica.
But she smirked slyly and continued with relish:
— Oh sure, just thinking about how good he looks, right? — she teased, clearly enjoying the moment.
— Cut it out, Jess, — he snapped, the growing awkwardness almost unbearable.
Jessica, pretending not to hear, went on:
— Oh, admit it, Em, Dan is seriously cool! Remember how he handled Maddie? Nobody at school dares to stand up to her, but he… he just walked in and shut her down. He doesn’t care who her father is. He’s not afraid of anyone. I got chills watching him. — She sighed dreamily. — And you’ve started acting differently too. Everyone’s noticed. You’re standing up for yourself, speaking your mind. Like you and he are two rebels cut from the same cloth. Just imagine: you and Dan, the rulers of the school!
Jessica clapped her hands gleefully, as if the "perfect picture" was already unfolding in her mind. But Mark felt his face flush even more.
— Stop it! — he said sharply, turning away and pretending to study the nearest exhibit with exaggerated interest. — This is… nonsense.
— Really? — Jessica tilted her head, watching his discomfort with a knowing smile. — But you’re blushing! Oh, Emma, I’m sure he likes you too. Did you see the way he looked at you? Do you think he winked at you for no reason?
Mark tensed, a whirlwind of irritation and some unfamiliar, unsettling feeling churning inside him. He didn’t want to hear it, didn’t want to think about it, but Jessica’s words pierced through his defenses like arrows.
— Just… stop talking, okay? — he muttered, his voice trembling slightly.
— Whatever you say, Miss “I’m Not Blushing,” — Jessica replied, still giggling.
But inside, everything was different. Her words struck a nerve, and it infuriated him. He tried to distract himself, scanning the hall, when something unusual caught his eye. A strange mirror. Large, with an ornate, intricately carved frame, it seemed both majestic and eerie. The frame, covered in elaborate designs, almost looked alive, while the dim surface of the mirror appeared to conceal more than it revealed. Mark felt an odd pull, as if the mirror was calling out to him.
Above it hung a plaque that read: “The Mirror of Truth. Look into it and see your essence.”
He slowly stepped closer, unaware that Jessica’s voice had faded into background noise. His heart was pounding so loudly it felt like everyone around could hear it.
— What’s got your attention? — Jessica noticed his interest and followed, watching her friend with slight concern. — It’s just a mirror, Emma.