Chapter 2 — As If It Meant Nothing

Chapter 2 — As If It Meant Nothing

I once read in one of my psychology books that one of the most effective ways to understand a group’s intention is to analyze the type of impact they have on different people and on the situation as a whole. For instance, if the group’s goal were to make fun of me, I would be the one humiliated—not Afonso or the group.

It is almost unquestionable who the target of humiliation was—Noah. Logan’s intention was not malicious; it was simply thoughtless. Since Noah was the one being humiliated, I could not have been the only one being mocked. The fact is: I was neither humiliated nor mistreated, therefore I was not the target. That would have been unusual. I am, oddly enough, usually respected.

To be clearer, if Logan’s intention had been to “ship” two people, then two people would have been humiliated—forced together, whether ideologically or even “physically-psychologically.” Since Noah was the only target, the intention behind the situation must have been different.

There are two possibilities: either Noah was being pushed toward a random, more unfamiliar girl—making the situation easier to forget—or he was being humiliated in front of the girl he actually had some level of interest or curiosity in.

One of the most effective ways to determine which of these possibilities is correct is through the observation of patterns. If provocations (with Noah as the target) or tension between the group and me continued, then the situation was likely not random—and vice versa.

June 7th, 2025

I don’t know if it was because I had too much coffee, but today I felt unusually aware of the people around me—and of that 8th C classroom. This state of mind made everything feel more intense, yet everything still seemed… normal.

The same noise, from the same people, as always. And the group? The same as well—almost as if the previous day had never happened. There were no new patterns. Not a single one.

Perhaps it was all just a joke. Perhaps it truly was a random situation. Or maybe Noah had set boundaries. Who knows?

Even so, there were no provocations, no tension. It was more likely to have been nothing.

It is better to forget this situation. At least school is not incoherent. That is why I choose school over those boys.

I could start by going to the library and reading a great science book. Then I could stop by a café and buy another latte. By then, half of what happened would already be forgotten. After that, I would go home and begin the abundant homework from that math teacher. It was just one exercise.

Then I would pass by the flower shop and buy sunflowers. And yes—attractive girls buy flowers for themselves.

And then: what Noah? Do I even know Noah?

April 7th, 2026

The theory was simple: if the pattern did not continue, then everything that happened was insignificant.

The problem is—no one ever said that patterns are built the next day. Or the next month. Or even three months later.

It could take time. It could take a vacation.

No one knows.

Not even I did.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***