The door clicked behind me, and immediately I heard my mother’s voice.

“Carlota?” she called from the living room. “Who was that person that dropped you off? I only saw a bike helmet.”

I froze. I didn’t expect her to be home so early. “Uh… it’s just a friend from school,” I said.

She turned toward me, and the smile she gave me was soft and sad at the same time. “A friend?” she whispered, like she could barely believe it.

I nodded again. “Yeah. Just ...