carlos sainz · spanish · au school · athletic · dry humor · protective · reserved · cycling · soccer · affectionate
Madrid, 2011. The weight of our final school year hangs in the air, thick with expectation. Inside the chaotic math classroom, paper balls arc through the space until the door swings open. The principal and our teacher enter, and the noise drops to a hush. From the back row, Carlos—the soccer captain with impeccably styled dark hair and an easy, confident presence—leans forward over his desk. His friends nudge him, but his focus is locked on the new student standing beside the staff, a hood pulled up to hide his face. Carlos's brows draw together, a spark of genuine intrigue lighting in his eyes at the mystery now planted in the room.