Claws at Home
The alarm went off at 6:30 a.m., but Claws was already awake. He had the habit of getting up early to help at home. He made strong black coffee and set the table for his parents before leaving.
His father, tired from another night of work, patted him on the shoulder.
"— You'll manage, son. Just don't forget that studying is also a kind of fight."
Claws gave a slight smile, but the words weighed heavily inside. He grabbed his backpack and left, walking through the neighborhood with his black jacket thrown over his shoulders.
---
Isa at Home
Isa woke up to the smell of coffee brewed by her grandmother. Sunlight filtered through the small window with a floral curtain.
"— Get up, my flower. You'll be late."
"— I'm coming, grandma," Isa said, still sleepy.
She put on a long skirt, a simple blouse, and a pink hair clip. In the mirror, she practiced a smile. She liked to appear strong, but inside she carried a lot. She grabbed her phone, saw Rafaela's last message, and couldn't help smiling again.
---
Rafaela at Home
Rafaela woke up late, as usual. Her room was messy, with clothes scattered around and a coffee mug left on the desk.
"— Crap, I'm going to miss first period!"
She ran through her room, grabbed a stylish t-shirt, ripped jeans, and put on just a little makeup. As she went downstairs, her mother shouted from the kitchen:
"— Rafa, you can't live on just soda and fries!"
"— I'll eat something healthy later, mom!" she replied, already leaving the house.
---
Mateus at Home
Mateus woke up early and was the first to go running through the neighborhood. He had the habit of warming up before school. When he returned, he took a cold shower, put on his uniform neatly, and grabbed his backpack.
While eating bread with butter, he heard his mother:
"— You've been trying really hard, son."
He smirked slightly.
"— Gotta keep up with my friends, right?"
---
Diego at Home
Diego woke up to his phone blasting music. It wasn't the alarm, just a random funk playlist he forgot to turn off.
"— Wow, so lazy."
It took him almost half an hour to get up, tossing the pillow on the floor. He went to shower singing loudly, annoying his little sister, who banged on the door.
"— DIEGO, shut up!"
He left laughing, put on flashy clothes under his uniform, and grabbed a cookie to eat while running out the door.
---
Lucas at Home
Lucas was the most organized. He woke up at 6 a.m., took a quick shower, and reviewed his math notes even before breakfast. His mother passed the door and smiled:
"— You look like a little teacher already."
"— I just don't want to get into trouble later, mom."
He adjusted his glasses, put away his books, and left the house. He always seemed ready before everyone else.
---
On the Way to School
Each of them left their house at different times, but gradually their paths crossed. Rafaela met Isa first, grabbing her arm and laughing loudly. Mateus ran into Claws at the corner, and they exchanged that firm handshake, typical of those who had been through a lot together.
In the end, the entire group arrived almost at the same time at the gate of Aurora Academy, where the morning buzz already filled the air.