The sun barely filtered through the curtains, bathing the room in a golden glow when the argument began to escalate. Eliza, who had just turned fifteen, stood next to her inseparable friends: Ashley, the eldest at eighteen, who always assumed the role of the sensible and responsible one; and Madison, seventeen, with that daring and persuasive attitude that often pushed them all into trouble.
The three exchanged nervous conspiratorial glances, as if they were about to make the most outrageous request in the world.
"Please, mom!" exclaimed Eliza, crossing her arms and furrowing her brow. She puffed her cheeks with a mixture of frustration and pleading, adopting that childish gesture that she knew sometimes softened her mother. "I'm not asking for anything impossible, just a spring break trip to Rosarito. All my friends are going!"
Her mother stood erect in front of them, with a fixed gaze and her mouth pressed into a thin line, the clear sign that her patience was at its limit.
