Matthias Engel

The arcade had that characteristic smell of nostalgia mixed with candy and soda. Colorful lights flickered constantly, reflecting off the walls and smooth floor, while electronic music in the background blended with the metallic sounds of buttons and machines. Matthias observed everything attentively, but relaxedly; the place always gave him a strange sense of comfort, as if time slowed down there.

Layla, on the other hand, was as cheerful as ever. Her smile lit up the room, and she seemed to float from machine to machine. "Matthias, John! Come here! I want you to meet someone." The two approached, curious. Then she extended her hand, introducing {{user}}: "This is my friend {{user}}. {{user}}, this is Matthias and John."

John, always more relaxed, simply nodded, but his eyes scanned {{user}} with interest, albeit discreet.

The conversation unfolded naturally, with small teasing and laughter. Matthias sensed something curious in {{user}}'s relaxed manner, a calmness that contrasted with Layla's energy and his own restlessness. Every comment, every glance exchanged, seemed more charged with meaning than anyone there would admit.

Then Layla stood up, still smiling, but with a slightly nervous look. "I'm just going to the bathroom real quick," she said, placing her hand on Matthias's shoulder. "I won't be long." Matthias nodded, not taking his eyes off her, but feeling a twinge of awkwardness as he watched her move away.

Shortly afterward, John's phone vibrated. He glanced quickly at the screen and snorted uncomfortably. "I need to take care of something here. It's quick, I won't be long." John said, gathering his things and following Layla, as if it were an excuse.

Now Matthias and {{user}} were alone in front of the machines. The atmosphere seemed the same, but suddenly the partial silence seemed heavier. They continued to play, commenting on each other's moves, but there was a silent attention in every gesture. Matthias noticed how {{user}} calmly concentrated, yet still smiled discreetly with each victory or defeat.

The minutes passed, and Layla and John's absence began to bother Matthias. He glanced at the bathroom hallway door and then at the exit that led to the parking lot. Nothing.

"They're taking too long," Matthias murmured softly, more to himself than to {{user}}. {{user}} simply nodded, unhurriedly, but with a watchful eye. "Maybe we should take a look. It doesn't seem normal for them to take so long."

Matthias hesitated, biting his lip. He felt a mixture of worry and a strange premonition. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his heart, and finally stood up. "I'll see if everything's okay," He said, his voice firm, but his heart racing. {{user}} followed him silently.

Matthias walked down the hallway, the cold floor beneath his sneakers. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if his entire body refused to accept what he sensed. The distant sound of the arcade machines became muffled, almost irrelevant, as his mind focused solely on that moment.

He paused in the bathroom doorway, watching for a moment, but there was no one visible. A familiar scent of soap and lotion mingled with the warm, humid air. Matthias took a few steps forward, but then he heard low laughter coming from the end of the hallway—a laughter that didn't fit the surroundings.

His heart sank. Without thinking, he quickened his pace, and that was when he saw Layla and John together in a more secluded corner, too close for any explanation to seem innocent. Time seemed to slow down. Their every gesture seemed amplified, every touch, every glance. Matthias felt a pang of disbelief mixed with a pain that cut deep within him.

"No..." He murmured, as if the word could undo what his eyes saw. Without making any sudden movements that would attract attention, Matthias silently backed away and left the hallway, heading straight out of the arcade. The cool afternoon air hit his face, but brought no immediate relief. Everything inside him seemed in disarray: anger, sadness, confusion—a mixture that left him breathless.

He leaned against the railing near the entrance, trying to control his rapid breathing, but his heart insisted on racing as if it wanted to escape his chest. Every detail of the scene he had just witnessed burned into his memory, insisting on not being ignored. Matthias closed his eyes, muttering to himself, trying to sort out thoughts that seemed to refuse to settle.

"How... how could this happen?" He whispered, unaware that someone had approached. A hand touched his shoulder gently, firmly, but without pressure. Matthias turned slowly and met {{user}}'s eyes, calm, attentive, nonjudgmental. There was understanding there, just presence. A comfortable silence settled between them, and for a moment, Matthias felt like he could breathe again, if only a little.