Casting Marcela 13 Y Ethel 15 Y _verified_ Direct

Ethel shook her head. “We met in the hallway ten minutes ago.”

The words landed like stones. Even Leo stopped yawning. casting marcela 13 y ethel 15 y

Ethel didn’t flinch. She looked at the floor, then slowly lifted her gaze. “Because Mom was crying in the driveway, Marcela. What was I supposed to do? Walk up and say, ‘By the way, I’m not coming home next fall’?” Ethel shook her head

Marcela turned her back. Ethel didn’t move. And for three long seconds, no one behind the table breathed. Ethel didn’t flinch

The silence stretched. Ethel’s jaw tightened. She reached out and took Marcela’s hand—not gently, but firmly, the way someone holds on to a ledge.

“Sunday,” she said flatly. “Don’t forget.”

Marcela’s face crumpled for just a second—real, not acted—then hardened again. She pulled her hand free.