Unspoken

Kevin's Friend Tommy

As the chatter and buzz of planning their assignments filled the classroom, the groups finally reached agreements on how to approach their tasks. Group 1, led by Rafael and including Olivia, decided they'd meet on Saturday to divide responsibilities more effectively, double-check their work, and leave Sunday free for relaxation.

Group 3, with Natalia taking charge, Group 5, which had Daniel and Selena at odds over leadership, and Group 6, under Valeria's guidance, all chose the same strategy. The common sentiment was to clear up any confusion and wrap up the assignment early.

On the other hand, Group 2, featuring Juan and his somewhat reluctant teammates, and Group 4, the calmest of the groups, opted to meet directly on Sunday. Their reasoning? Saturday was better spent relaxing or handling individual preparation before the final meeting.

The room was still buzzing with murmured discussions about assignments, group dynamics, and weekend plans. Selena, sitting at her desk beside Olivia, whispered, "Do you think meeting on Saturday will make a difference for us?"

Olivia smirked. "It better. Rafael is the type to redo the whole thing if it's not perfect. And don't forget you have Daniel in your group—he's bound to make it... interesting."

Selena rolled her eyes, feigning annoyance. "Let's hope he doesn't give us another lecture on how important football is."

Their playful exchange was interrupted by the loud scraping of the classroom door as Señor Alejandro Ruiz, the Spanish teacher, strode in. His deep voice carried a commanding tone, silencing the last traces of chatter.

"Good afternoon, everyone," he greeted with a broad smile, his hands clapping together as though to dispel the lingering chaos. "I see you've all been busy plotting your academic triumphs. But now, it's time to dive into some literature and poetry, sí?"

The students hurried to their respective places, the hurried shuffling of notebooks and chairs echoing through the room. Even the most distracted students straightened up, knowing Señor Ruiz was as charismatic as he was strict.

Olivia leaned toward Selena as they settled into their seats, whispering with a sly grin, "I hope he doesn't ask us to write any poems today."

Selena giggled softly but kept her eyes forward. The class was shifting gears from chaos to calm, but beneath the surface, excitement and anticipation lingered—about both the assignments and the hidden tensions within their groups.

As the school bell rang, signaling the end of the day, students poured out of the classroom, eager to head home. Selena adjusted her bag on her shoulder and began her usual walk home, enjoying the quiet rhythm of her footsteps.

Halfway down the road, she noticed two familiar figures walking ahead. She squinted slightly. "Is that... Rafael?" she murmured to herself, quickening her pace a little.

Sure enough, it was Rafael, accompanied by his best friend Mateo. They were talking animatedly, their voices carrying faintly in the crisp air.

"I still don't get why you're so worried about Saturday," Mateo was saying, his tone teasing. "You always nail these assignments."

Rafael shook his head. "It's not about the assignment. It's the group dynamics. And... never mind," he muttered, running a hand through his hair.

Selena couldn't help but smile at their conversation, though she wasn't sure why. She kept her distance, not wanting to intrude.

Just then, Rafael and Mateo turned down a narrow street a block before hers. Selena stopped for a moment, watching them disappear around the corner. Her eyes widened as realization hit her.