Just then, Casillas slid into the seat behind Ava and Hazel, his presence commanding attention. A group of girls, captivated by his chiseled features and piercing gaze, swooned over him. "Te amo," one cooed, while another chimed in, "I like you, I want to be friends with you." But Casillas politely declined, his gentle refusals met with persistence.
Undeterred, the girls continued to flirt, their voices rising in a chorus of endearments. Casillas remained impassive, his expression unreadable. Finally, the girls relented, departing with a flurry of muttered complaints. "He's so full of himself... Who does he think he is? He's gorgeous, but what's the point if he's arrogant?" Their words seemed to bounce right off Casillas, either because he was oblivious or simply didn't care.
Hazel, already nursing a melancholy mood, grew increasingly restless sitting beside Casillas. Ava noticed her friend's unease and asked, "What's wrong, Hazel? You seem really unsettled."
Hazel's voice barely above a whisper, "It's just... being near him, my heart knows something's off. Those girls may say whatever they want, but..." Her words trailed off, conveying the turmoil brewing inside.
Ava offered a lighthearted tease, "Is your heart so useless that it's always racing?" Hazel chuckled, playing along. "Yeah, let's just say that." The tension dissipated as they shared a laugh.
Just then, their friend Tyler strolled up, a warm smile spreading across his face. "Hey, guys! What's going on?" Ava and Hazel exchanged a knowing glance, welcoming the distraction.
As Tyler joined them, Hazel's thoughts drifted to the upcoming drama performance, where she'd share the stage with Abigail Chase. Ava, sensing her friend's nerves, gave her reassuring touch.
Tyler, a tall, dark-haired boy with a perpetual smile, approached Ava and Hazel. His warm demeanor was infectious, and his friendship with the duo was built on trust and shared experiences.
"Hey, what's going on?" Tyler asked, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Ava and Hazel exchanged a glance, recalling the time Tyler's project fell apart – literally – during the college exhibition. They had stepped in, sharing their extra materials to help him rebuild it. His gratitude and their shared laughter forged an unbreakable bond.
Tyler asked if they needed help, but Ava waved it off. "Just catching up," she said, patting the seat beside her. Tyler settled in, his eyes shining with interest.
"I got selected as an extra, and Hazel landed a role," Ava shared.
Tyler's eyes widened. "That's awesome! Who's the lead?" Hazel began to answer, but Ava playfully silenced her. "We'll tell you later, so you don't skip the show." Tyler had a habit of making excuses to miss their performances.
This time, Ava was determined to get him to attend. "Promise you'll come?" she asked, her eyes sparkling.
"Absolutely," Tyler replied. "I won't get tangled in accounts this time." Ava chuckled, knowing his accounting studies often kept him busy.
The festival was set to take place soon, and Hazel invited Tyler to watch their practice. As they chatted, Tyler's gaze drifted to Casillas, sitting nearby.
Ava followed his gaze. "You know him?" she asked.
Tyler nodded, a smile spreading across his face. He rose and approached Casillas, who looked up with a hint of recognition. The two exchanged warm hugs, their joy at reconnecting palpable.
"Hey, man! Long time no see!" Tyler exclaimed, clapping Casillas on the back.
Casillas smiled, his eyes crinkling. "Tyler! How've you been?"
Their friendly banter filled the air as Ava and Hazel watched, happy to see their friend reconnecting with someone special.
As Tyler and Casillas launched into a lively conversation in Spanish, Ava and Hazel watched with interest. Tyler inquired about Casillas' well-being and suggested, "Look, my friends are sitting over there. Shall we join them?"
Casillas' gaze lingered on Tyler before responding, "Of course, I'd be delighted to meet your friends." As Tyler began to rise, he halted him, saying, "I'll call them over." With a subtle gesture, he beckoned Ava and Hazel to join them.
Ava and Hazel approached, exchanging warm handshakes and gentle hellos with Casillas. Hazel's legs trembled slightly, betraying her nervousness. Casillas, accustomed to girls fawning over him, was refreshingly surprised by their genuine friendliness.
"I'm so glad to meet you both," Casillas said, his smile radiant. "Tushar's friends are my friends." Tyler translated the sentiment into Hindi for Ava and Hazel.
Ava replied, "We're thrilled to meet you too. We've heard about you – you're here on the student exchange program, right?" Tyler translated her question into Spanish.
Casillas nodded, "SÃ, that's correct." He turned to Tyler, "But I don't know their names." Tyler introduced Ava and Hazel, and Casillas' face lit up. "Please, sit with us," he invited, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
As they sat together, Casillas shared, "I'm happy to be friends with you both. Besides Tyler, I don't have many friends here." Tyler translated, and Hazel asked, "But you seem so popular, and being in science, you must have friends from class."
Casillas leaned in, his voice taking on a vulnerable tone. "Yes, I'm in science, but I want more friends. The problem is, I struggle with the language, and people here don't understand me. I can't connect with those who only know English." His words revealed a deeper longing for genuine connections.
Throughout the conversation, Hazel's gaze remained downcast, her heart racing. Casillas' proximity left her breathless, his captivating presence mesmerizing.