The Competition

Viktor

I leave Carson's house and walk home, the cool morning air doing little to clear my mind. The conversation with Carson left me more uneasy than before, and I can't shake the feeling that something important is being hidden from me. When I arrive home, the sound of laughter greets me from the kitchen. I walk in to find Yelena and Natalia sitting at the table, eating breakfast together. They look up as I enter, their conversation interrupted. "Morning," I say, trying to hide my frustration with a forced smile. "Morning, Viktor," Natalia replies, her voice a little too bright. Yelena gives me a small, hesitant smile and I nod in acknowledgement. I grab a cup of coffee again and sit down at the table, my mind still racing. Natalia and Yelena exchange glances and I can't help but notice the tension in the room. I decide to bring up what's bothering me. "Natalia, can I ask you something?" I start, trying to sound casual. She looks at me, a hint of concern in her eyes.
"Sure, what is it?" I take a deep breath. "Have you noticed anything about Carson's behavior since the party? He's been acting strange, and Noah said something yesterday that makes me think there's more going on." Natalia looks ant me confused and she suddenly finds great interest in her plate of food.
"I... I haven't really noticed anything," she says, her voice wavering slightly. My frustration grows. "Come on, Natalia. You're his friend too. If something's going on, I need to know." She looks up, her eyes wide and filled with a mixture of confusion and fear almost like Carson.
"Viktor, I don't know what you're talking about. Maybe you're just thinking too much." I narrow my eyes and feel the tension in the room rise. Yelena shifts uncomfortably in her seat as she clears her throat, clearly sensing the discomfort. I place the already empty cup on the table and switch to Russian saying, "Maria, if there's something you're not telling me..."

She shakes her head quickly. "I swear, Vito, it's nothing. You're just stressed. Maybe you should talk to Carson again." I sit back, feeling defeated. Natalia's defenses only fuel my suspicions, and I can't shake the feeling that whatever she's hiding is something that will change everything. "Fine," I mutter, standing up and pushing back my chair. "I'll be in my room if you need me." I walk upstairs, each step harder than the last. Once in my room, I close the door and lean against it, letting out a deep sigh. My mind is a whirlwind of confusion and frustration, the unanswered questions gnawing at me. I walk over to my desk and look at the unfinished homework and scattered papers, but I can't concentrate. All I can think about is what Carson and Natalia might be hiding, and how it's all connected to that smug look on Noah's face. 

What the hell happened after I left the party? Carson disappeared as soon as we arrived, and Natalia was with Yelena - except when she saw me. As the minutes tick by, I take a deep breath and try to let go of the nagging fear. Maybe it's just my mind playing tricks on me. For now, I push the uncertainty aside and focus on the tasks at hand.