•BRIANNA•
“Well, hey there, everyone!” The familiar voice hollered across the room, sharp and loud. We all raised our heads instinctively, trying to identify the source of the interruption. To my surprise, it was none other than Carlos, walking in confidently with a petite brunette girl sitting beside him.
I wasn’t expecting him to be here. But the look on Adrian and Manuel’s faces said otherwise. It was almost as though they had been bracing for his arrival. The atmosphere shifted immediately, a sudden tension thickening in the air the moment he joined us at the table.
“I just greeted everyone, and no one replied. That’s a rude thing to do, guys,” Carlos said, his voice teasing but carrying a sharp edge. His eyes scanned each of us, lingering for a moment on Adrian and Manuel before finally settling on me.
Cherry offered a small ‘hi’ and Carlos responded with a smile, his attention clearly shifting toward her.
“Oh, hi, Carlos,” I said, giving a small, somewhat awkward wave. Adrian’s eyes darted to me, and I caught the surprised expression on his face as his eyebrows furrowed in a question.
“How did you know his name?” Adrian asked, his voice low, as if the question was more important than the moment itself.
“Erm, I know him,” I said, feeling my cheeks warm as I shifted uncomfortably under Adrian’s gaze.