The festival was almost over. The stall lights were slowly being turned off, but students still gathered in the schoolyard. The music, now quieter, gave way to laughter and scattered conversations.
The group gathered near a concrete bench in the school garden. An open bag of popcorn lay in the middle, a few bottles hidden behind the bench.
Diego raised a can and laughed.
— "Nothing beats drinking secretly at school. Feels like a victory!"
Lucas adjusted his glasses and sighed.
— "If the principal finds out, we're all screwed."
Rafaela, already a little flushed, took a long sip from her cup and pouted.
— "Ah, relax, Lucas! It's a festival… we have to enjoy it."
She tripped on her own foot and almost fell, but Isa caught her, laughing awkwardly.
— "Rafa, you're not used to drinking, right?"
— "Of course I am!" replied Rafaela, flashing a victory "V" with her fingers, almost spilling the cup afterward.
The group burst out laughing.
Mateus patted Claws on the back.
— "Hey, you're not drinking anything? I thought you'd be the first to knock back a bottle."
Claws shrugged, holding only a closed can.
— "I know when to lose control. Today's not that day."
Isa glanced at him from the side, impressed by the seriousness in his response.
Meanwhile, Diego started talking about girls, laughing loudly.
— "Did you see the third-year girls? One of them couldn't take her eyes off Claws. Bet he didn't even notice."
Claws let out a light laugh, feigning indifference.
— "Stop talking nonsense, Diego."
Rafaela, now slurring her words, nudged Claws.
— "It's a lie, isn't it? You notice everything, you just pretend not to care."
Claws just stared at the sky for a moment, a faint smile slipping out.
— "Maybe."
The night passed amid laughter, teasing, and more intimate conversations. The group's atmosphere felt light, as if the weight of the world had disappeared for a few hours.
Until Rafaela, more tipsy than ever, stood up, wobbling.
— "Okay, I think I'm… good…" she almost fell again, caught by Isa.
Claws stood, tossing the empty can into the trash.
— "I'll take her home. Anyone coming along?"
Lucas stepped forward.
— "I'll go. You shouldn't be alone with her in this state. Besides, her brother's probably home."
Claws nodded. Rafaela rested her head on his shoulder, smiling foolishly.
— "You're cuter than you seem, Claws."
The group fell silent for a moment, watching the scene. Even Mateus, who always joked, didn't say anything this time. Something was different there.
As Claws and Lucas began walking with Rafaela between them, Diego stretched on the bench and commented:
— "You know what's funny? We started this festival just as classmates… but now it feels like we're a real gang. Each with our role."
Isa looked at him, curious.
— "And what do you think will happen to us from now on?"
Diego smiled, mysterious.
— "Something big. I can feel it."
The group remained silent, staring at the night sky. The festival had ended, but that night seemed to mark the beginning of something greater.
And as Claws walked, carrying Rafaela beside Lucas, he knew: from now on, there would be no turning back.