Two Manipulate

"I know it is none of my business, but... do you two know each other?"

I looked at Karlos.

"What is with that look?" Karlos asked.

I sighed as I told Camila the truth.

"Yes, we know each other."

"I could tell - no way could it be that two people get comfortable with each other."

"Aren't you observant?" Karlos said.

"Forensic science is my favorite - too bad they don't do it here."

"Yeah, I think they should broaden out a bit," I replied.

She nodded as she gestured us inside. "You have to try today's menu!"

"What is it about?" I asked.

"Burger and fries."

"Amazing! I totally need that, especially with today's turn of events."

"My friends are over there."

Karlos pointed at Pedro.

"Pedro?" I asked. "The very one who made fun of us in History class just minutes ago?"

"Princess is concerned about me with the friends I keep? That's sweet of you."

"Karlos, just go - Estoy perdiendo los estribos por minuto."

"Tú ganas, te dejaré," he replied in Spanish.

Pedro walked over to us and Karlos regained his "balance" as he walked away from me.

"Just don't miss me too much."

Off he went, leaving me to my thoughts before Camila took my arm.

"You zoned out."

"Sorry - just this guy called Karlos is getting on my nerves."

"Oooh, someone seems to be falling hard for Karlos!"

"Karlos? Please."

"As if."

Daniella, along with her friends, Maya and Reina stood in front of us.

"Karina Hernandez, ¿bien?"

I nodded. She snickered as she came closer.

"You think you call the shots here huh?" she asked.

"You say so about me," I replied. "It seems you want to call the shots here, you just don't have a... proper support system."

Taken aback by my words, she stood back.

"I don't care what or how strong the Hernandez is, you will make sure that you stay away from Karlos."

"Man, are you obsessed with him already?" I asked. "I don't think he even knows your name, let alone your face."

She opened her mouth in shock.

"Hazte un favor y controla tus emociones."

"What did you say to me?" she asked.

This time I walked up to her, a smile curving on my lips.

"Get Marina the Translator," I said, walking past Daniella, Maya, and Reina.

"Gosh! Karina, you are so brave for a homeschooled girl!" she exclaimed, unable to contain her amazement.

"It is a talent I hide rather than boast about, unfortunately," I replied, wanting to close the subject.

"But it shuts the bully's mouth though!"

"Yeah," I said.

Meanwhile...

At Karlos' table

"That girl seems to have shut Daniella's mouth shut," Cruz said.

"Please, it is just an act. What's her name again? Karina... Hernandez?" Pedro asked, irritated by just saying her name.

"Karlos," Pedro called.

"Yeah?" I answered.

"Karina Hernandez," he said, "You seem really comfortable around her. Do you two know each other?"

With an unfazed expression, I replied, "Deny, Deny, Deny."

"Oh really?"

Turning around, I saw it was Andres. He came and sat opposite me.

"So, since you two are 'strangers', you are implying that you won't mind if another guy takes an interest in her?"

"Ooh," Pedro and Cruz said, as I glared at Andres, ignoring his question.

Averting my gaze, I kept my eyes on Karina, taking myself out of the boys' conversation, and watched Karina take her seat with Camila beside her. She was smiling slightly, but not too much. I then thought back to her conversation with Daniella some minutes ago. Her smirk, her confidence, Daniella's shock and embarrassment...

"I see you haven't changed at all Princess..."