Jace: — Hey, ugly. Can you explain what you're playing at?
Me: — Huh?
Jace: — Why did you sit next to me? Who do you think you are?
Me: — Your girlfriend, lol.
Oh oh. Bad move. His glare is so dark I feel like he's about to decapitate me on the spot. Seriously, this guy should've joined the army instead of playing basketball. General Ramos… sounds good, right?
Me: — What? What? What? You started it, didn't you? You said I was your girlfriend.
Jace: — And who said I was?
… Wait. Did he really take me seriously last time? This guy is completely nuts.
Me: — But you didn't deny it when I said it.
Jace: — Tss. It was just to watch you embarrass yourself.
Huh?!
Me: — What do you mean?
Jace: — Tss.
He gets up to leave, but I grab his arm.
Me: — Hey! Stop calling me ugly, or…
Jace: — Or?
Me: — Or…
Jace (smiling): — Or what, ugly?
And he walks away, proud of himself.
Me: — Grrr! I'm not ugly, idiot!
*
Days pass. Over the weekend, I called Tito to see him and get information about my biological mother, Faith. Of course, I didn't tell him the real reason. I made up some lame excuse, like "I want to see Jace," and he bought it. Nobel Prize in lying goes to… me. Aaliyah Hiyas Corazon. Thank you, thank you. But it's not my fault, you know.
The week starts again. And of course… school.
But I can't stop thinking about Jace's words: "It was just to watch you embarrass yourself."
What did he mean by that, this weirdo? Pff.
*
In class, Tamara, Jonas, and I talk about our weekends.
Tamara: — So… you're dating?
Jonas: — The craziest part is that no one thought Jace Ramos would ever have a girlfriend after his ex.
Me: — His ex?! What?
Tamara: — Yeah. Tyra Mujica.
Me: — Tyra who?
Jonas: — Ty-ra Mujica, the goddess of the school.
… Huh?! Mr. "Anti-girls" had a girlfriend?! And not just anyone?
Jonas: — Beautiful, kind, sweet… absolute perfection. The most popular girl at MIHS High. She made everyone melt with a single smile.
Tamara: — Guys are so dumb.
Jonas: — You're just jealous.
Tamara: — Me? Pff.
Me: — And where is she now?
Tamara: — Madrid. Her mom married a tycoon there.
Jonas: — Jace and Tyra were the perfect couple. He smiled all the time, radiated joy. But when she left, she dumped him like, "I'm going abroad to live with my mom, I won't come back." Jace was crushed. Result: he quit basketball for over a month. And after that…
Me: — Mr. "Anti-girls."
Jonas: — Exactly.
Wow. I would have loved to see that version of Jace. Smiling. In love. Human.
And Tyra… she's the one who turned my new "boyfriend" into a walking ice cube? Ah, Hiyas… what are you getting yourself into? So… behind his stone-cold exterior are hidden wounds?
Jonas: — And Siempre, that's why I know he won't fall for you. But you? You'll fall for him. And then, you can flirt with Lucie Lawrence for me.
Tamara (outraged): — Are you serious?! Too scared to flirt with Lucie yourself?
Jonas: — We made a bet with Hiyas, so stay out of it, kitten.
Tamara: — "Kitten"? Eww.
Me: — FYI, get your car ready because I won't lose.
Tami: — And you, Jonas, you idiot, you…
Their eternal arguing begins again.
Me: — Love begins with hate. Lol.
Tamara: — Don't you dare!
*
After chemistry class, Tami and I go to sign up for clubs. My dad was against it (he even spoke to the principal!), but I managed to convince him for a "safe" activity: painting. Not dangerous, perfect.
Well, I would've preferred auto mechanics, but my parents think I'm too fragile… When I was 13, I asked for a car for my 18th birthday. Their answer? "You're too fragile. Better a driver." Hmph. Anyway.
We register, and it's done. On the way back, we pass the gym.
Don't worry, it's not for Jace.
… Okay, fine, it is for him. But why? I have no idea.
And then, BAM! A ball hits me right on the head.
Me: — ARE YOU CRAZY?!
I turn around. And of course… it's him. Jace. With his mocking smile.
Jace: — What are you doing here, ugly?
"Ugly" again?!