The school bell rang. The group was leaving at the end of the day, tired but energized after another hectic week.
[Scene 1 – Leaving School]
They were together at the gate:
Rafaela (yawning): "Man… if I see one more equation in front of me, I swear I'm dropping everything and becoming a hippie."
Isa (laughing): "Shopping hippie, right? Because you're never letting go of those heels."
Rafaela: "Hey! I know how to be stylish, okay? It's not just anything."
Diego (eating a snack): "If you become a hippie, I'll become a monk. Imagine me bald in an orange robe?"
Lucas (laughing loudly): "That would be a bizarre sight, man."
Claws smiled faintly but stayed quiet, looking at the street. Mateus noticed his silence.
Mateus (nudging his shoulder): "Lost in thought, Claws?"
Claws (covering up): "Nothing… just thinking about getting home."
---
[Scene 2 – On the Way Home]
The group splits up, but Mateus insists on walking with Claws.
Mateus: "You've been acting weird these days. What's going on?"
Claws (sighs): "Nothing much, just… problems back in the neighborhood."
Mateus (serious): "Claws… you know I'm not stupid. I've known you since we were kids. When you go quiet like this, it's because something heavy is going on."
Claws takes a deep breath. His gaze hardens.
Claws: "The rival gang is crossing our territory. Yesterday, they beat up a kid just for wearing the wrong cap."
Mateus (clenching his fist): "Sons of…!"
They continue walking. Mateus tries to ease the tension:
Mateus: "You don't have to carry this alone. We've got your back, man."
Claws (glancing sideways): "You guys are my peace, Mateus. But if this side of my life touches you, there's no turning back. I don't want to drag anyone into it."
---
[Scene 3 – Late Night in the Chat]
The group chats online.
Rafaela: "Guys, let's go out tomorrow? I need a drink after this week."
Isa: "No exaggeration, Rafa. Last time you barely made it home."
Diego: "Barely made it? She was carried by Claws and Lucas, lol."
Lucas: "My arm still hurts from that day."
Claws (typing… deleting… typing again): "I don't know if I'll be able to go out tomorrow. I have things to deal with."
Rafaela: "Huh? What things? Come on! You never really have fun."
Isa: "Claws, are you really okay?"
He doesn't respond. The screen shows only the three dots blinking… then stops.
---
[Scene 4 – Midnight in the Neighborhood]
Claws walks to the corner and meets the leader of his gang, an older man with a hard gaze.
Leader: "Claws, we're going to need you tomorrow. They're trying to push again. You're one of the ones holding this territory."
Claws (looking at the ground): "…And if I don't go?"
Leader (stepping closer, firm): "Then someone in your family will pay the price. You know how it works."
Claws clenches his fists. Silence. The scene freezes on his face, torn between student life and the weight of the streets.