The sound of the bell announced the start of classes, but the real noise was in the hallways. The day after the festival was always lively, but this time it seemed even more so. Groups of students gathered in circles, whispering and laughing, while glancing at a specific point: Claws and his friends.
— "Hey, did you see that?" — murmured a third-year girl.
— "He took down three guys all by himself."
— "No way, he had Mateus with him!"
— "No, I heard he punched one so hard the guy flew two meters."
The stories grew with each mouth that repeated them.
Claws walked through the hallway with his hands in his pockets, his expression calm enough for someone at the center of so much chatter. His gaze met several students, who quickly looked away as if it were dangerous to meet his eyes for more than a second.
Behind him, Isa struggled to keep up.
— "Claws… don't pay attention to what they're saying, okay? They always exaggerate."
Claws smirked slightly, almost ironically.
— "They make it up because they need a story. I'm just another character for them."
Before Isa could reply, Rafaela appeared out of nowhere, yawning and resting her head on her friend's shoulder.
— "Good morning…" — she drawled, dark circles under her eyes betraying the hangover.
Mateus didn't waste time and laughed.
— "Look who it is, Aurora's official drunk! You should get a crown, Rafa."
Rafaela stuck her tongue out, too weak to really respond.
— "Quiet, Mateus… My head's still spinning."
Diego, walking behind, already had a joke ready.
— "At least you made history. Now everyone knows Rafaela drank more than her body could handle."
Isa laughed, but quickly held Rafaela by the arm so she wouldn't fall.
— "Come on, before you pass out standing up."
Inside the classroom, the atmosphere wasn't much different. Some students pretended to pay attention, but most exchanged notes or curious glances at the group. Even the teacher seemed to have heard the rumors, shooting a disapproving look when he saw Claws sitting calmly in the back desk.
At recess, the six gathered in the courtyard, as always. The sun illuminated the stone tables where dozens of groups chatted animatedly. But there was a difference: around them, the space seemed wider, as if nobody wanted to get too close.
Lucas, always observant, was the first to notice.
— "Did you guys notice? People are avoiding us."
Diego flashed a mischievous smile.
— "Of course! Now we're like… a mini-school legend. Claws' squad."
Claws chuckled quietly, opening a soda can.
— "I didn't ask for any squad."
Mateus patted his back.
— "But you have one. Accept it. I kinda like it."
Rafaela rested her elbows on the table, looking around.
— "At least no one's gonna mess with us anytime soon. That's good, right?"
Isa, however, seemed more concerned.
— "I just hope it doesn't turn into harassment. Teachers, the administration… they might not like a group attracting so much attention."
Claws took a sip of soda and looked at her seriously.
— "Then we don't give them a reason… at school."
The silence lasted a few seconds until Rafaela broke it, clapping her hands.
— "Enough serious talk. Let's talk about the weekend! Isa and I are going to the mall. I need to renew my wardrobe."
Isa laughed, already anticipating.
— "And I'll try to stop you from spending your entire allowance on clothes you'll never wear."
Lucas adjusted his glasses.
— "Diego and I have a game at the neighborhood field. Mateus, you're coming, right?"
Mateus nodded immediately.
— "Of course. I want to see if you can handle my kick this time."
Everyone laughed, then looked at Claws. He stayed silent for a moment before responding.
— "I have my own plans. Maybe I'll show up, maybe not."
Rafaela made a face.
— "You never say what you do, Claws. Too mysterious."
Claws shrugged and smirked slightly.
— "Better this way."
The bell rang, ending recess. They got up together, each heading to their classroom. But something felt different in the air: the stares of others, the space around them, the sense that they were no longer just schoolmates — they were becoming something bigger.
And without realizing it, that weekend would mark the beginning of a change for all of them.