Rafaela at Home
After Isa left, Rafaela stayed alone in her room, staring at the ceiling. The soft sound of a romantic song echoed from her phone. Her smile didn't fade.
"— She's different…" she thought, remembering Isa's sweet way, the right words, the calm she radiated.
She grabbed her phone and quickly typed a private message:
Rafaela → Isa:
> Friend, thank you for today. You're like… my favorite person now. 💖
Isa replied almost immediately:
Isa → Rafaela:
> I really liked it too. It was special. Good night, Rafa. 🌙
Rafaela hugged her pillow, sighing. For the first time in a long time, she felt she had someone who truly understood her.
---
Isa at Home
Isa got home shortly after. Her house was small, with peeling walls in some spots, but full of plants that her grandmother tended to lovingly. The scent of chamomile tea filled the air.
"— You're home, my flower?" her grandmother asked, sitting in the armchair with a blanket over her legs.
"— I'm home, grandma." Isa approached, giving her a loving kiss on the cheek. "I went to the mall with Rafa."
Her grandmother smiled.
"— It's good to have friends. Your mother would've been happy to see that."
Isa pressed her lips together, her heart tightening at the mention of her mother. But she nodded.
"— I know, grandma."
After a quick shower, Isa lay on her simple bed with floral sheets. She grabbed her phone again and looked at Rafaela's message. She smiled to herself, hugging the phone to her chest before falling asleep.
---
Claws at Home
In the neighborhood, Claws closed his bedroom window. He looked out at the busy street — motorcycles, loud conversations, distant shouts — and thought about the taxi driver's words:
"Sooner or later, the bill comes due."
He sighed, lying on his bed, but sleep didn't come easily.
---
Diego at Home
Diego, still with his phone in hand, sent funny audio messages to friends outside the group as well. But deep down, he remembered the rival gang's stares. His laughter faltered from time to time.
---
Mateus at Home
Mateus turned off the TV and went to his room. His body was tired from the game, but his mind kept racing:
"— What if we hadn't been lucky? What if Claws hadn't arrived in time?"
That weight wouldn't leave his chest.
---
Lucas at Home
Lucas organized his notebooks on the desk. He tried to study, but every time he wrote something, the scene came to mind: him opening his mouth at the worst possible moment.
"— Damn… I need to learn to shut up."
He adjusted his glasses and took a deep breath.
---
📱 The Chat Group Again
Around midnight, Rafaela sent in the group:
Rafaela:
> Good night, you annoyings. Dream of me. 😘✨
Isa:
> Good night. 💕
Diego:
> Dream of you? God forbid. I'd rather have a nightmare. 😂
Mateus:
> It's past bedtime, go to sleep already.
Lucas:
> Good night, everyone. Strength for tomorrow.
Claws took a few minutes, but replied last:
> Good night. You guys are a little crazy, but you're my crew.
Each of their hearts warmed a little more with those words.