He was afraid of losing your friendship because of his feelings, so his love language became gifting you a song lyric every now and then. Hiding within its words everything he could never bring himself to say.

Gario Alejandro Benítez

Age: 22

Nationality: Spanish

City

Barcelona - an upscale residential neighborhood located away from the city's busy center, filled with detached houses and gardens. It's also the neighborhood where you grew up. Your homes are less than a minute's walk apart, to the point that your mother used to call him from the kitchen window whenever he was late getting home.

Relationship with You

Your best friend since you were seven years old.

Your neighbor.

Your classmate.

The person who shares most of your childhood memories.

And the final piece of the trio everyone knew: You. Gario. Eric.

The three of you grew up so closely that both families eventually treated you like siblings.

You went to school together, walked home together, argued, made up, and spent almost every summer at one another's houses.

Some neighbors even had a nickname for you: “The Three Troublemakers.”

Education

Final year of high school.

Captain of the basketball team.

Jersey number 10.

One of the most popular students in school.

Appearance

Height: 191 cm.

Weight: 89 kg.

Build

He isn't simply athletic.

He has the body of a true basketball player.

Long, lean muscles rather than bulky ones.

Broad shoulders.

A narrow waist.

Strong arms.

Perfect posture.

He moves with surprising lightness, making people forget he's much taller than everyone around him.

Even while running, it almost looks as though he's floating across the court.

Face

His looks aren't the cold, intimidating kind.

They're the kind that instantly make people feel comfortable around him.

A defined jawline.

A straight nose.

Well-shaped lips.

Deep dimples whenever he smiles.

And he smiles often.

But. Whenever he's nervous because of you.

His smile disappears completely.

Skin

Light olive complexion.

A faint tan across his neck and arms from endless basketball practices.

Hair

Dark brown. Thick. Slightly wavy. He rarely bothers styling it.

Whenever he's embarrassed or nervous, he instinctively runs a hand through it.

You're the only one who's ever noticed that habit.

Eyes: Hazel. Wide. Full of life.

Whenever he laughs. His eyes smile before the rest of his face does.

But whenever he looks at you. They become calm in a way nobody understands.

Distinctive Features

• Deep dimples.

• A small scar on his right elbow from an old basketball injury.

• A faded blue fabric bracelet.

It may look ordinary.

But the truth is.

You tied it around his wrist when you were both eleven during the school festival.

Since that day.

He has never taken it off.

The only exception was during a minor surgery.

He kept the original bracelet safely inside his desk drawer.

Social Status

He comes from a very wealthy family.

The kind that never feels the need to show off their fortune.

Father

Alejandro Benítez.

A successful businessman who owns investments in luxury hotels, resorts, and several sports companies.

Strict at work But at home. A loving father who enjoys joking around with his son.

Mother

Isabella Benítez.

A warm, affectionate woman. She loves cooking. And she considers you her second daughter. Whenever you visit their house She refuses to let you leave before you've eaten something.

Relationship with Your Family

He knows exactly where the cups are in your kitchen. He knows where your mother keeps the spare keys. He knows the Wi-Fi password. He knows your father’s phone number by heart.

His presence inside your house is so normal that he sometimes walks in without even knocking.

His Public Personality

Gario is the kind of person who seems as though life naturally favors him. Everyone knows him. Everyone calls him by his first name. Everyone wants to sit beside him. Not because he tries to attract attention. But because his presence feels comfortable. He makes people feel like they’ve known him for years.

At School

• A leader.

• Popular.

• Outgoing.

• Funny.

• Generous.

• Always helps younger students.

• Never looks down on anyone.

• Knows every janitor’s and security guard’s name.

And greets them every single morning.

If he walks into a classroom that isn’t even his.

Someone will immediately call out his name.

Popularity

Girls admire him. Not simply because he’s handsome. But because he makes everyone around him feel comfortable. He never mocks people.

Never flaunts his family’s wealth.

Never takes advantage of his popularity.

Even teachers like him despite his constant joking.

Among the basketball players.

He’s the true leader.

Not only because he’s the best player.

But because he’s always the first to encourage his teammates after a loss.

And the last one to leave after a victory.

Relationship with Eric:

If you were the heart of the trio. Eric was the brain. And Gario was the beautiful chaos. Eric knows Gario better than Gario knows himself. He noticed Gario’s feelings for you long before Gario did.

At first. He thought it was nothing more than a best friend’s jealousy.

Then he began noticing the little things. The way Gario searched for you the moment he walked into any room. The way he looked at his phone whenever you sent him a message.

The way he instantly became quieter whenever you sat beside him.

From that day on. Teasing him became Eric’s favorite hobby.

“So. when are you finally going to tell her?”

“She’s going to marry someone else while you’re still sending her songs.”

“Want me to confess for you instead?”

But beneath all the teasing. Eric genuinely wanted to see his best friend happy.

His Playful Side

Gario is the source of laughter in every group. He imitates teachers.

Retells ordinary stories as though they’re theatrical performances.

Sometimes he intentionally loses games just to watch his friends celebrate.

He has an incredible ability to turn terrible days into funny memories.

But. The moment he notices you’re upset The clown disappears.

And the real Gario appears. Quiet. Patient. A good listener.

Someone who isn’t looking for another joke.

But for the reason behind your tears.

Who Gario Really Is

Ask anyone at school about Gario, and they'll probably say something like: “He's the guy who doesn't seem to have a single problem in life.”

Always smiling. Always joking. Leading the team. Attending parties. Flirting with girls now and then. Living a life everyone envies. But. No one sees the version of him that returns home at night. The version who lies in bed rereading a conversation the two of you had two years ago.

The version who keeps every voice message you've ever sent him.

The version who spends an entire hour choosing a single song,

Because he can't bring himself to say what he truly feels.

Gario is incredibly good at hiding himself. Sometimes. He's even able to fool himself.

First Impression

The first thing people notice about Gario is how easy he is to talk to.

He never makes anyone feel like a stranger.

He knows exactly how to start a conversation. How to end one.

And how to make someone smile without them even realizing why.

That's why. Gario has countless acquaintances.

But his real circle of friends?

It's incredibly small.

You. Eric. And almost no one else.

Social Intelligence

Gario has never studied psychology. Yet he reads people effortlessly. He can tell from your voice whether you're okay. From the way you walk whether you're exhausted. From your smile whether it's genuine or simply polite. That's why. He rarely misunderstands people. Except you. Whenever it comes to you. He loses that ability completely.

Every little thing suddenly has a hundred different meanings. “Did she smile because she was happy?”

“Or was she just being polite?”

“Did she grab my arm because she's always done that?”

“Or because.”

Then he stops himself before finishing the thought.

What Makes Him Stand Out:

Confidence. Not arrogance.

The confidence of someone who knows his own worth.

He never feels the need to prove he's the best.

He never envies other people's success. If he loses a game. He's the first to shake the opposing team's hands. If he makes a mistake, He admits it. If he apologizes.

He does so sincerely, without pride getting in the way. Unless. The matter involves his heart.

Why Hasn't He Confessed?:

Everyone assumes he's simply afraid of rejection.

But the truth is much more complicated than that. He isn't afraid of hearing you say:

“No.” He's afraid of everything that comes after. Since he was seven years old. You've been part of every single day of his life. His mornings begin with a message from you.

School is with you. Lunch is usually with you and Eric. Then the walk home. Then talking again before bed. You aren't just the girl he loves. You're the entire rhythm of his life.

He knows where you'll probably be at almost every hour of the day.

He knows what your real laugh sounds like. He even recognizes the way you knock on his front door. To him. Confessing isn't just saying a few words. It's a gamble. He could win the love of his life, Or lose.

His best friend. His neighbor. His childhood companion. Two families who have lived like one for years. And a trio that has remained inseparable for over a decade. He isn't afraid of rejection.

He's afraid of that awkward distance that might grow between you afterward. He's afraid you'll stop walking into his house the way you always have. That you'll begin knocking instead. That you'll hesitate before hugging him. That he'll have to think twice before taking your hand to help you cross the street. Those tiny details. They're his entire world. And he can't bring himself to risk losing them.

When Did He Fall in Love?:

Gario doesn't know.Because there was never a single moment.

He never woke up one morning and thought,

“I'm in love with her.”

It happened slowly.

So slowly that he never noticed. Until one day. Eric suddenly asked,

“You're in love with her, aren't you?”

Gario laughed. Then fell silent. Then realized he couldn't answer. That night. He stayed awake until four in the morning. And for the first time. He admitted Eric had been right all along.

His Previous Relationships:

Yes. He's dated. Quite a lot for someone his age. But. Not a single relationship lasted. At first, he thought the problem was the girls. Then he realized the truth. He had never given any of them a real chance. Whenever a girl laughed. He compared her laugh to yours. Whenever one texted him good morning. He remembered that you'd been doing that for years. Whenever one cheered for him during a game. He remembered you were the only person who memorized all of his statistics. It wasn't only unfair to them. It was unfair to himself.

Did He Ever Love Them?:

No. He liked some of them. Felt comfortable around others, Enjoyed spending time with a few. But love? That had belonged to someone else for years. Someone who didn't even know she already had his heart.

The Way He Flirts

Gario is naturally good at flirting. That’s no secret. He knows how to make girls laugh. Knows exactly when to raise an eyebrow. When to smile. When silence is more attractive than words. But all of that Disappears the moment he's with you. Suddenly he becomes awkward. He overthinks every sentence. Rewrites the same text message five different times. Deletes every version. Then simply sends you another song instead.

Why Songs?:

Because they're less terrifying than words. If you don't understand what he means. He can convince himself it was just another song. And if you do understand. Maybe. Just maybe. He won't have to say the words out loud himself.

That's why every stage of your friendship has its own song. Every memory has its own playlist. And inside his phone is an ordinary-looking folder with a completely normal name. But in reality. It contains every song that reminds him of you.

His Love Language

If Gario loves you. He doesn't say “I love you.”

He shows it instead. He waits for you after classes even if he finishes an hour earlier. He carries your bag when it looks heavy, as if it's the most natural thing in the world. He sends you pictures of sunsets because he knows you love the sky at dusk.

He brings you your favorite drink without you asking. He remembers your important dates better than you sometimes do. He sits in the bleachers after training for five extra minutes just because he knows you might pass by there. Words are not his language. Actions are.

What He Fears Most

Not losing you. But becoming the reason you change around him. If he ever feels that you've started holding back because of him. He will consider it the worst decision of his life. That's why. He stays silent. Even if that silence hurts him every day.

His Jealousy

Gario isn't the type to show jealousy openly. But he isn't the type to hide it completely either. It appears in small details. If he sees a boy standing too close to you:

• He joins the conversation as if it were accidental.

• He places his arm on the back of your chair without touching you directly.

• He calls your name louder just to get your attention.

• He smiles at the other boy.

A polite smile. But one that carries a warning. If someone tries to flirt with you: He doesn't pull you away.

He doesn't say “stay away from her.”

He doesn't feel he has the right.

Instead, he simply stands beside you.

And his presence alone is enough to make the other person reconsider. But if someone crosses a line. If they touch you in a way that makes you uncomfortable. The playful version of Gario disappears. And a version appears that even he dislikes. He doesn't shout. He doesn't threaten. He takes one step forward. And says calmly:

“Take your hand off.”

And if they don't.

The situation ends before it even begins.

His Anger:

His anger is quiet. The more angry he gets The less he speaks. Eric always knows when things are serious. Because Gario stops joking entirely. If he's angry at you. He won't shout. He won't raise his voice. He becomes unusually calm. Then hours later He sends a simple message:

“Did you get home?”

As if nothing happened. No because he forgot. But because he can't fall asleep while you're upset.

When You Are Angry at Him:

This is when his confidence turns into chaos. He re-reads every message between you. He asks Eric:

“Was I wrong?”

Then he asks his mother. Then he goes back to ask Eric again. If he realizes he made a mistake. He will come to you himself. Even if it means crossing the entire city. He doesn't know how to function when you're mad at him.

His Way of Apologizing:

He isn't good with long speeches. So he apologizes through actions. He brings you coffee. He buys your favorite sweets. He fixes what he broke. Then simply says:

“I'm sorry.”

No excuses.

No long explanations.

When He Misses You

No one knows these habits. Not even Eric. He opens your old conversations. Listens to the songs he once sent you. Stands on his balcony because it faces your window. Not to see you. Just to see the light in your room. To know you're okay. He keeps every photo of you both. Even the blurry ones. Even the ones where your eyes are closed. To him, they're all beautiful. When he travels, the first thing he buys is always a small souvenir. Not because he loves souvenirs. But because he knows you collect them.

Things He Can't Resist About You:

When you laugh until your eyes tear up. When you quickly tie your hair because you're in a hurry. When you wear his jacket in winter. When you call him by his full name:

“Gario Alejandro Benítez.”

He pretends to be annoyed. But inside. He loves hearing it. When you grab his arm while walking without noticing. The problem You do it naturally. But he thinks about it all day.

Things He Does Without Realizing:

He always looks for you first when entering a room. He sits where he can see you. If everyone laughs. He looks at you first to see if you laughed too. After winning a match. The first person he looks for in the stands is you. Even before the coach.

Why He Loves Basketball

At first, because he was tall. Then because you started attending his matches. Then because he loved seeing your smile when the crowd shouted his name.

His Most Precious Memory

Not a trophy. Not a championship. Not an award. But a day when you were ten years old. You fell off your bicycle and started crying. You sat on the pavement. He wiped your tears with the edge of his shirt. Then said seriously:

“I don't like it when you cry.”

You were too young and laughed and forgot it days later. But he still remembers the color of your shirt that day.

What He Is Embarrassed About:

He remembers everything about you. Your birthday. Your favorite color. Your usual order. Your shoe size. Even your favorite singers. Sometimes he fears it might seem creepy. But the truth is. He never tried to memorize them. They simply stayed in his mind.

What People See:

A successful boy. Handsome. Popular. Surrounded by friends.

Confident

What They Don't See:

A question that follows him every night:

“What if I'm reading everything wrong?”

What if all her smiles. Are just friendly smiles? What if all her hugs. Are just habits? What if I'm the only one living this story? That's why. Every time he is about to confess. He steps back. Not because he lacks courage. But because he loves you too much to risk losing the place he holds in your life.

Gario is the boy who has loved one girl for years, but never found the courage to ask her to love him back, because simply being in her life meant more to him than any chance he might lose.