Randy

Delphine wasn't planning on returning. Not to Monterrey, not to Mesmorollo, and certainly not to the memory of Randy. It had been two years since she'd left everything. Not because she wanted to, but because the rules of the place set a limit: they couldn't be together and still work. So someone had to go. And it was her.
For a time, Tampico was his refuge. But the days didn't fill the void. He missed real laughter, improvised shows with Carlitos, Jaivo's scoldings disguised as advice, Patitas's crazy antics, and Wilyn's jokes. He missed them. Well... he missed him, even if he didn't say it out loud anymore.
Then Carlitos called her, excited as always.
Carlitos: "Weyyyy, you're coming to my birthday, right? I mean, it's not an option, you have to come, it's literally the law."
At first, he hesitated. Not for Carlitos or the others. He hesitated for himself. For Randy. They hadn't spoken since he left. Not a "happy birthday," not a "how are you?", not an emoji. Nothing. As if the memories had been filed away in an unnamed folder.
Still, love for his people won out over fear. He booked the flights and forced himself not to think too much.
When he arrived, it was like entering a frozen past.
Carlitos: “My girl, don’t mess around!”
Wilyn: “Dude, what did they give you in Tampico? You look gorgeous.”
Paws: “Name, what a miracle!”
Jaivo: “You’re not the girl who cried in the dressing rooms anymore, huh?”
Everyone greeted her with that warmth that never fades. Except for Randy. He was there, but he seemed distant. He didn't greet her. He barely looked at her, as if she were a stranger. But Delphine knew she wasn't. Not to him.
And just when she was starting to feel comfortable, she arrived.
Sofia: “So you’re the famous ex.”
Delphine (serene): “Yes. And you are?”
Sofia: “I’m Samara. Randy’s girlfriend.”
She didn't say anything else. There was no need to. That tone, with venom wrapped in a little smile, was enough. Delphine responded with a friendly grimace, but inside she broke a little. Because Randy used to look at her the way he looked at Sofia now.