3- Fries, Latin Beats & Magnetic Stares

POV Isabella:

As soon as we entered, I inhaled the divine scent of meat, and hunger stirred in my stomach. We filed toward the back of the crowded burger joint, and it was hard not to appreciate every detail. A retro 80s-style decor covered every inch of the place… SENSATIONAL!

How was it that I lived in São Paulo, had walked around downtown countless times, and had never been here before? Isabella, you’re so oblivious!

I let the group move ahead and stopped to look at photos of a Chinese man hugging some celebrities. The owner seemed like a big deal.

"Wow, this place is awesome!" I exclaimed, catching up to the group, amazed by everything.

Raica chose a spot way in the back, where there wasn’t a huge crowd of hungry people.

"You’re all very welcome!" said a short man with slanted eyes and a tray tucked under his arm.

"Chill, Chill, are we getting that free plate of fries?" Raica, ever the smooth talker, shamelessly tried her luck.

Chill pretended to be shocked, but I could tell he was used to the request.

"Y’all trying to bankrupt Chill already, huh?" The Chinese man made a theatrical face and slammed the tray on the table in protest.

"Ugh, stingy old man," Renan muttered.

"Eduarda, take care of this extortionist crew," Chill said sarcastically, spinning the tray on his finger.

I focused on how effortlessly he handled the tray. He was really good—practically a professional balancer.

"Hey, Eduarda!" Raica greeted, smiling at a blonde waitress in a uniform and a burger logo name tag.

"Go ahead, Chill, I’ve got them." The waitress gave her boss two light pats on the shoulder. Chill, in turn, made his way to the counter with quick steps, still balancing the tray like a pro.

He really was a master at it.

"Hey, Eduarda, you up for a date?"

"With you?" She pointed at Renan. "Does Théo come too?" He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Greedy!"

"Selfish!"

We laughed at the exchange. Cool, they were all longtime friends—close and fun.

"Place your orders," Duda cut the teasing short and handed us menus. "We’re packed today, so be quick."

No beating around the bush.

"I’ll have combo number four with Coke," Lucca said right away.

Everyone else followed suit. Eduarda took the orders and rushed off. Our lunch break was timed—we couldn’t afford to be late on our first day.

"I’m gonna put on a song." Out of nowhere, the guy stood up, weaved between tables, and reached a machine I recognized as soon as the LED lights around it lit up—a jukebox. Raica’s brother inserted a coin, pressed a button I couldn’t make out from a distance, and returned beaming. A danceable tune filled the space.

"Latin music, Isabella, you like it?" Raica asked, swaying her shoulders.

I smiled at her, surprised by how close we’d gotten in such a short time. She was gorgeous—tall, with striking eyes. And her hair had incredible volume. As soon as I got the chance, I’d ask for tips on taming my own curls, which never obeyed me.

"Listening isn’t enough—you gotta feel the rhythm." Renan started dancing in the little space he had near the table. "C’mon, girl!" he called his sister, who didn’t hesitate to join him.

I thought it was crazy—they were really good dancers, but randomly dancing like this wasn’t my thing, especially in a burger joint at noon. I usually danced at night—though it had been a while. I glanced around, curious, and everyone else was in their own worlds, enjoying their meals, completely unfazed by the siblings’ moves.

A song later, our delicious food arrived swiftly.

"Thanks, Duda," Raica said.

"Enjoy." She was already gone, busy with other tables.

"Man, I’m starving!" Raica said as she sat down.

Renan copied his sister. "Looks amazing."

"You guys dance really well," I complimented, struggling to hold the massive burger in my hands.

"Let’s make plans for Friday, Isabella. Tricy, a pop singer, is putting on an awesome show here," Renan said before taking a huge bite, lettuce leaves falling onto his plate. "Where do you live?"

"South Zone."

"Easy, the subway’s right next door."

"Changing the subject," Lucca said, "you guys excited to start?"

"So excited. I barely slept until I got the confirmation email," Raica emphasized. "What are you studying?"

"Advertising and Marketing," I answered, peeking over my giant burger.

"Financial Management. And you guys?"

"Public Relations—I love connecting with people," Renan told Lucca.

"Yeah, no doubt about that," his sister said, shaking her head.

"I’m with you, Isabella. I’m doing Marketing."

"At the Paulista campus?"

"Yep! So we’ll be classmates, girl." I nodded enthusiastically.

"On the house." The Chinese balancing act surprised us with a plate of fries. "Just ‘cause you’re regulars and brought a guest."

"Chill, everything was delicious."

"Got myself a new customer. Enjoy the fries, guys." And with that, he went back to manning the counter.

We drummed on the table in unison, thanking him.

Within seconds, not a single fry remained. We cleaned up, paid, and rushed to WUC, cutting our lunch break close.

The elevator entrance was chaos. Everyone had decided to return from lunch at the same time, turning the lobby into madness.