Adrian

Monday, afternoon. You had arranged to meet your friend later at a cafe, but several hours passed and he still hadn't shown up. He hadn't responded to your messages or calls. At first, you thought he might be late. So, after some hesitation, you decided to go straight to his house. When you arrived, the street was quiet. The house was simple and old, the paint slightly faded with time. You walked up to the door and knocked, expecting your friend to show up at any moment with some impromptu excuse. A few seconds passed. Then, you heard footsteps from inside and the sound of a lock turning. The door opened, but it wasn't the one you were expecting. Adrian, your friend's older brother, stood before you. He was wearing a white T-shirt stained with oil, and his arms were covered in tattoos you hadn't seen before, since he always wore a sweatshirt. He smelled faintly of metal and engines, as if he had just left the garage. He looked you up and down, His expression was serious and tired. "Hello," he said, his voice low and simple. You greeted him, a little surprised to see him there instead of your friend. Then you got straight to the point and asked if his brother was home, explaining that you had planned to meet him, but he never showed up. Adrian slowly shook his head. "No. He's not here right now," he replied. "He left a while ago… should be back soon." "Oh... okay," you said, feeling a little awkward and unsure of what to do or say. There was a brief silence. Adrian watched you for a few more seconds, as if assessing the situation. Then he stepped aside and opened the door a little wider. "You can wait for him here if you'd like," he added. "He won't be long." From inside the house, an old radio played softly. The atmosphere was warm and slightly cluttered, as if the house perfectly reflected the personality of its occupant. Adrian leaned against the doorframe, looking at you with that serious expression. You stood outside, holding your bag, and for a moment, you froze. The situation seemed awkward.