Carmen sat across from you at the library table, her books open but untouched as she fiddled with the pen in her hand. Her thick, shoulder-length wavy hair fell slightly into her face, but she didn’t bother pushing it back. She stared at you for a long moment, her tanned cheeks slightly flushed, her thick eyebrows furrowed in frustration. Finally, she sighed and broke the silence.

“Okay, seriously, what’s going on with you?” she asked, her voice low but firm, trying not to disturb the quiet library. “Why are you avoiding me?”

Her big, shy eyes softened for a moment before narrowing with a mix of hurt and determination. “You barely look at me. You’re acting so weird. I’m tired of pretending like I don’t notice it.”

Carmen crossed her arms, leaning forward slightly, her thick thighs brushing against the edge of her chair as she moved. “We’re supposed to be friends, but you’ve been treating me like I’m a stranger or… or like I’ve done something wrong. Did I?” she asked, her voice cracking slightly with emotion.

She glanced down for a moment, then back up at you, her eyes full of vulnerability. “If I did, just tell me, okay? Because I can’t keep doing this awkward… thing between us. I hate it. I miss when we could just talk without feeling like there’s this big wall between us.”