Chapter 7 – "Forced Weekend"
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Scene 1 – The Invitation
Saturday morning, Claws's phone buzzes in the group chat Lucas created.
Lucas:
— "Guys, we need to make progress on the assignment. How about meeting today at the central square?"
Diego:
— "Square? No way."
Mateus:
— "If it's at the square, at least we can play soccer."
Rafaela:
— "I'm in! I'll bring my sketchbook."
Isa:
— "… I'll go too."
Claws:
— "Alright, it's settled."
Diego sends a bored-face emoji but confirms his attendance.
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Scene 2 – Meeting at the Square
The bright sun lights up the square, full of families, running children, and street vendors.
Lucas arrives first, carrying water bottles in his backpack.
Rafaela and Isa soon arrive together.
Rafaela:
— "Look at you, Isa, first time hanging out with us outside school."
Isa (embarrassed):
— "Yeah… it's different."
Claws shows up shortly after, fiddling with his phone.
Diego arrives in shorts and flip-flops, chewing a pastry.
Diego:
— "Alright, I'm here. Can I leave now?"
Claws:
— "You didn't even try."
Mateus arrives last, kicking a soccer ball.
Mateus:
— "Let's play. Who's in?"
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Scene 3 – Improvised Soccer Game
They set up a makeshift game on the square's sandy field.
Diego (teasing):
— "Careful, Claws is gonna turn this into a real championship."
Claws:
— "Shut up and mark your goal already."
The game begins with shoves, laughter, and taunts.
Mateus plays seriously, almost aggressively. Claws meets him in kind.
Rafaela tries to join but trips and falls in the sand.
Rafaela (laughing):
— "Okay, I'm better at drawing than kicking."
Isa watches from the bench, shy but smiling at the chaos.
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Scene 4 – Break and Conversation
After the game, everyone sits under a tree, sweaty and tired.
Lucas:
— "See? It wasn't so bad to get out a bit."
Diego:
— "Speak for yourself, I'm melting here."
Mateus:
— "You didn't even run properly."
Diego:
— "Running is for people without creativity."
Everyone laughs. Even Isa.
Claws (surprised):
— "You laughed?"
Isa covers her mouth, embarrassed.
Isa:
— "It's nothing."
Rafaela:
— "It's not nothing. It was great. You should laugh more often."
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Scene 5 – Closing
The sun starts to set. The square glows golden.
The group walks together toward the main street.
Lucas:
— "You know… maybe this group isn't so bad after all."
Diego:
— "Ugh, getting sappy now."
Mateus:
— "If we don't fight every day, it might even work."
Claws:
— "I don't know if it'll work… but I'll try."
Isa looks at everyone, holding her notebook to her chest, and thinks:
"Maybe… I'm not as alone as I thought."
End of Chapter 7.