TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

Chapter 9

Carmen jumped and turned around abruptly. Victoria stood there, accompanied by Gabriel. He was physically present but seemed completely absent. When he recognized her, he furrowed his brows. He muttered through his teeth:

"Damn."

"So, you can speak after all?"

Before leaving, Victoria offered Carmen a ride, which she first declined but accepted upon Victoria's insistence. Carmen sat in the back of the car; before starting, Victoria stared at her phone for a long time. After a few minutes of driving through the forest, the car slowed down and stopped. Carmen looked left and right. She didn't know where she was and thought that she was being way too trusting. Victoria nudged Gabriel with her elbow, signaling him to get out. She headed to the back of the car and opened the door for Carmen.

"Follow me", she said.

Carmen, disoriented, didn't ask any questions. Victoria led the way, lighting the path with the flashlight on her phone. They ventured into the sand and moved through the darkness. A glow sparkled at the end of the beach, where they were heading. Carmen struggled to adjust her eyes to the darkness. After a few seconds, her eyes finally adapted, and she realized that the glow she saw was coming from a campfire. Once they arrived, Joan rushed towards her, welcoming them. Sade and Malik were sitting on logs, engaged in conversation. They waved to the newcomers. A few rugs were laid on the ground, and baskets filled with food and drinks were placed on them. Joan handed a glass to each person. Gabriel declined with a wave of his hand, claiming that he had to leave. Victoria held him back by the arm, begging him to stay. He let out a loud sigh and reluctantly agreed. Carmen was confused. The idea was Joan's; she had set everything up late in the day. She felt guilty about Carmen's troubles and wanted to lift her spirits. She had assigned Victoria and Malik. Malik had done the shopping, and Victoria had managed to bring Carmen to the beach without her suspecting anything. Joan knew where she would be. Carmen turned to each of her friends, placing her hand over her heart to thank them. She also turned to Gabriel out of politeness. He vigorously shook his hands, declaring that he had nothing to do with all this. Of course. They all settled around the campfire, enjoying its warmth and chatting.

*

"No way! exclaimed Malik euphorically, slapping his thigh with the palm of his hand."

All faces turned towards Carmen as she shared her misadventures. Observing her friends' astonished expressions amused her greatly, and she took great pleasure in adding details that made the story even more dramatic. Malik had covered his mouth with his hands, and Sade had wide eyes. Even Gabriel's eyebrows had lifted, he who usually maintained a placid expression. Malik, eager for details, continued:

"You punched her, and then..."

"And then nothing. Mrs. Johnson said she would think about an appropriate punishment."

"I can't understand how Eve always gets away with everything."

"I don't think she'll get away with it this time", added Sade, visibly embarrassed.

Conversations were in full swing, and Carmen's misfortunes were the heart of the discussions. Gabriel turned slightly towards her.

"Remind me never to get on your bad side."

"Indeed, I'd avoid it if I were you."

"Is that a threat?" he asked, surprised.

"A promise", she hurried to respond, narrowing her eyes slightly.

Her defiance annoyed her as much as it amused her. Victoria handed her a glass, while she and Joan stood up from the wooden logs they had been using as seats until then. They danced and sang loudly along with the songs playing from the speaker. The words came out wrong half the time, and they seemed to be fighting against the rhythm. They were euphoric and amusing everyone. Gabriel seemed to hint at a smile. Malik pointed at them with his chin. Joan noticed the attention on her, stepped down from her pedestal, and with a wobbly step, addressed Carmen.