turns out it wasnt clicking the buttons, but pressing the key 1 in the keyboard.
As an advice: have more clear instructions on the game, also if you are going to show the key bindings you do not need to have them as inputs, but as text. To start the level you can just use the button that said "click 1 to continue" to actually begin.
Nevertheless good job for being ur second game! its a matter of learning as you improve your skills :)