Dani su postajali sve kraći, a lišće je lepršalo hodnicima Srednje škole u Zagrebu.

The days were becoming shorter, and leaves were fluttering through the hallways of the Srednja škola in Zagreb.

Miris papira i zvuk učeničkih koraka ispunili su dugi hodnik.

The scent of paper and the sound of students' footsteps filled the long corridor.

Ivana je požurila prema učionici gdje se održavao sastanak debatnog kluba, odlučna da još jednom zablista.

Ivana hurried towards the classroom where the debate club meeting was taking place, determined to shine once more.

Na sastanku su se raspravljale teme budućeg turnira.

At the meeting, topics for the upcoming tournament were being discussed.

Svi su pažljivo slušali, ali Ivana je mislima već bila u okršaju.

Everyone listened attentively, but Ivana was already mentally engaged in the debate.

Pored nje sjedio je Luka, novi učenik, koji joj je često uhvatio pogled.

Beside her sat Luka, a new student, who often caught her gaze.

Bio je tih, ali zainteresiran.

He was quiet but interested.

Njegova povučenost izazivala je Ivaninu znatiželju.

His reticence aroused Ivana's curiosity.

"Ivana, jesi li razmišljala s kim ćeš biti u paru za turnir?

"Ivana, have you thought about who you'll team up with for the tournament?"

" upitao je Marko, njezin dugogodišnji prijatelj i partner u debati.

asked Marko, her longtime friend and debate partner.

U njegovu glasu bilo je nešto očekujuće i pomalo nesigurno.

There was something expectant and slightly uncertain in his voice.

"Razmišljala sam", odgovorila je Ivana.

"I've been thinking," replied Ivana.

"Želim isprobati nešto novo i možda se partnerirati s Lukom.

"I want to try something new and maybe partner with Luka."

"Marko joj je uputio začuđeni pogled.

Marko gave her a surprised look.

Luka, začuvši razgovor, samo je diskretno podigao obrve, mješavina iznenađenja i zadovoljstva.

Luka, overhearing the conversation, merely raised his eyebrows discreetly, a mix of surprise and satisfaction.

Njegovo novo prijateljstvo s Ivanom raslo je iz časa u čas.

His new friendship with Ivana was growing by the moment.

Kako su dani prolazili, Ivana je provodila sve više vremena s Lukom.

As the days passed, Ivana spent more and more time with Luka.

Njihove zajedničke pripreme bile su produktivne i zabavne.

Their joint preparations were productive and fun.

No, Marko se osjećao izostavljenim i pomalo zavidnim.

However, Marko felt left out and a bit envious.

Ivana je s njim razgovarala sve manje.

Ivana spoke to him less and less.

Stigao je dan turnira.

The day of the tournament arrived.

Školska kantina bila je prepuna učenika i učitelja, svi spremni pratiti debate.

The school cafeteria was packed with students and teachers, all ready to watch the debates.

Ivana i Luka sjedili su zajedno, povjeravajući jedno drugome posljednje misli.

Ivana and Luka sat together, sharing their last thoughts with each other.

Marko je sjedio nešto dalje, pripremajući se za vlastiti nastup.

Marko sat a bit further away, preparing for his own performance.

Kada je njegova tema došla na red, osjećala se napetost.

When his topic came up, tension was palpable.

Marko se trudio dati sve od sebe, ali povremeno mu je pogled skretao prema Ivani i Luki.

Marko tried his best but occasionally glanced toward Ivana and Luka.

Nakon burne rasprave, Ivanin tim je nedvojbeno pobijedio.

After a heated debate, Ivana's team undoubtedly won.

No, umjesto da odmah slavi, Ivana je shvatila koliko je promjena i nesporazuma stvorila.

However, instead of immediately celebrating, Ivana realized how much change and misunderstanding she had caused.

"Oprosti, Marko", rekla je nakon natjecanja, približivši se prijatelju.

"Sorry, Marko," she said after the competition, approaching her friend.

"Nisam htjela da se osjećaš zapostavljeno.

"I didn't mean to make you feel sidelined."

"Marko je uzdahnuo, a onda se osmjehnuo.

Marko sighed, then smiled.

"Znaš da te razumijem.

"You know I understand you.

Samo si trebala reći što ti je na umu.

You just needed to say what was on your mind."

"Ivana mu se zahvalila.

Ivana thanked him.

Nova bliskost s Lukom nije značila odustajanje od starih prijateljstava.

The new closeness with Luka didn't mean abandoning old friendships.

S Lukom je, pak, razgovarala o tome kako uravnotežiti ambicije i prijateljstva.

With Luka, she spoke about how to balance ambitions and friendships.

S prolaskom dana, lišće je nastavilo lepršati, a njihovo prijateljstvo bujalo je poput proljeća usred jeseni.

As the days passed, the leaves continued to flutter, and their friendship blossomed like spring in the middle of autumn.

Ivana je naučila važnu lekciju o životu, a nadolazeće dane čekala je s uzbuđenjem, okružena prijateljima i voljenima.

Ivana learned an important life lesson and looked forward to the coming days with excitement, surrounded by friends and loved ones.