OFFSIDE

7

❝ In a world of boys, he's a gentleman. ❞
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Elena's POV
"Hey," I smile as I get into the car. "Elena, good to see you," Pedro smiles, and we give each other a hug. "You look absolutely stunning, wow," he mutters. "Thank you," I smile.

We drive out of the street towards the museum. During the ride, it's quiet, but it's not an unpleasant or awkward silence. I listen to the music playing on the radio, and Pedro is focused on the road.

"How did you manage to arrange this, by the way?" I ask to break the silence. I still find it very special that I'm going to a museum after closing time. I've visited more than a hundred museums in my life, but never outside regular opening hours.

Pedro stays silent for a moment, and I look at him. "As I said: I have connections," he mutters. "But how?" I ask.

"Didn't we agree that the less we know about each other, the better?" he says, slightly irritated. I nod. "Yes. Sorry."

We arrive at the museum, and Pedro parks the car. I stare a bit blankly ahead. I know it's better to know as little as possible about each other, but I'm actually quite curious about this guy.

"I have something for you, by the way," he says once the car is parked. "For me?" I ask, surprised. He nods and reaches for the back seat. He grabs something and hands it to me.

Upon closer inspection, I see that it's the book 'Mansfield Park' by Jane Austen. I smile and examine the book. It looks old and worn, read multiple times. I open the book and look inside.

"It's about a girl named Fanny Price, who at the age of 10 is forced by her poor family to visit her wealthy relatives and live with them until her adulthood," he tells.

"This is the third edition. Mega old," I say, surprised. Pedro nods. "It wasn't a cheap book either. Handle it with care," he says. "Can I read it?" I ask, a bit in shock. The black-haired boy nods. "If you want, of course."

"Very much. Thank you," I say, and I give Pedro a hug. I rub the cover of the book for a moment. I smile a bit. "I'm very grateful. I'll be careful with it."

"I know you'll be careful. That's why I trust this copy to you," he says. I smile. "Why is it your favorite book?" Pedro and I look at each other for a moment, and he scratches his head.

"This book is often criticized for its slow pace and lack of action. Unlike some of Austen's other novels, 'Mansfield Park' is less focused on witty dialogues and social satire, and more on the inner lives and moral struggles of the characters. And I find that beautiful to read. You can really empathize with the characters," he tells.

"I'm very curious. I'm going to read it right away tomorrow," I say.

"Good. Shall we go inside?" he asks. I nod and put the book in the glove compartment. I step out of the car and walk to the entrance with Pedro.

As Pedro and I entered the Moco Museum in Barcelona, I couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Art has always been a passion of mine, and I was thrilled to share this experience with him. Pedro was stepping into the realm of art for my sake.

The museum, known for its modern and contemporary art, presented a vibrant array of pieces that immediately captured my attention. Pedro, despite his limited exposure to the art scene, wore an eager expression, ready to delve into the world of creativity.

"Wow, these paintings are something else," Pedro remarked, eyes scanning the walls adorned with colorful and abstract artworks. His genuine interest, though not deeply rooted in art knowledge, warmed my heart.