#Chapter5

We're all sitting at the dinner table in silence until Mrs. Lisa Rivera breaks it.

Lisa - How's school going for you, Nikki?

Nikki – Fine, thank you.

Matt - Have you thought about joining our cheerleading team, Nikki?

Edwin - Dad, let her eat. It's starting to sound like an interrogation.

Nikki - Alright, I haven't made up my mind yet, honestly. (Truth be told, I wouldn't join either, but my dad won't allow that, so I'll endure it.)

Nikki - Since when have you been friends with my dad?

Matt - We've been friends for many years. Your dad and your mom were friends of my wife even before you were born.

Nikki - I have a question.

Lisa - Sure, go ahead.

Nikki - Why aren't there any pictures of my mom when she was pregnant with me?

As I say that, everyone starts looking at each other. Edwin and I are equally taken aback.

Joseph - I've already explained it, honey. Your mom didn't like how she looked in pregnancy photos.

I don't know, but I don't believe him. Something's not adding up, and I'm going to find out.

Joseph - Speaking of dinner, Matt, Lisa, I want to ask you a favor.

Lisa - Yes?

Joseph - In two weeks, I'll be traveling for a course I need to teach. I was wondering if you could look after my daughter for a week.

Edwin - Yes! (He didn't even give his parents a chance to answer.)

Matt - My son just answered you.

Joseph - Okay, thank you.

We finish dinner, bid goodbye to the Riveras.

Nikki - Well, Edwin, see you at school tomorrow.

Edwin - Yeah.

Nikki - Thank you, Mrs. Rivera. The dinner was delicious.

Lisa - You're welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

My dad and I get into the car, but I sense a piercing gaze. I look around, but I don't see anything.

(.............)

The next morning, I wake up with very little enthusiasm. I head to the bathroom, take a shower, and after 10 minutes, I step out. I go to my closet and pick out my outfit for the day: black leggings, a tank top with a skull design, my belt with fantasy chains, and, of course, my short boots.

I do my hair and makeup, grab my bags and phone, and leave my room. As I descend the stairs, I notice it's quiet – it seems my dad isn't home. I exit the house, get into my car, and drive to school.

Upon arrival, I park and make my way to the classroom. On the way, I run into Judith, if I remember correctly.

Judith - Hi, Nikki.

Nikki - Hey.

Judith - Want to have lunch together in the cafeteria?

Nikki - Okay.

Judith - Give me your number so we can coordinate for a hangout sometime.

Nikki - Sure. (I give her my number, and she gives me hers, which I save.) Goodbye.

Judith - Goodbye.

I continue to the classroom, enter, and take my seat. Students start trickling in as the class begins. Lost in thought, I suddenly feel someone's gaze on me. I look up to see Edwin looking at me. He greets me, and I just nod in response. He returns to his seat.

I sense another piercing gaze, as if someone wants to kill me with their eyes. I glance and, surprise surprise, it's the brainless blonde, Roxana.

Class ends as the bell rings. I head to the cafeteria for lunch, purchase my meal, and as I'm about to sit down, I accidentally collide with someone. My food ends up all over them. When they turn around, to my astonishment, it's Roxana.

Rox - You idiot! Stupid emo!

Nikki - I'm sorry, it wasn't intentional.

Mariana - How dare you speak to her!

Marina - You ruined her clothes.

Nikki - How much is your outfit worth? I'll pay you for it.

Rox – Ha, ha, ha, ha, you don't have the money to afford this outfit. I don't know what Edwin sees in you; you're just a simple, useless human.

I can't tolerate her insults, so I give her a slap across the face. She barely moves. I hear some growls, take a step back, and notice her looking at my face. Her eyes change color, and she starts coming toward me. Just then, Judith steps in front of me.

Judith - Enough, Rox!

Rox – No! I won't stop until I've taken her down. No one messes with me. (Her voice sounds very different.)

Judith - You should channel this anger into putting effort into the team and your studies.

Rox - Can't you see this stupid girl deliberately threw her food at me?

Judith - That's not true. I saw everything. Besides, she apologized. It's better if you don't mess with her; otherwise, you'll have problems with...

Judith didn't get to finish her sentence when Edwin grabs Roxana by the collar. I'm in shock, seeing that – how can he grab her by the collar so casually?

Edwin - What did I tell you, Roxana? (His voice changes too.)

I look around; everyone lowers their heads. What the hell is happening here?

Nikki - Edwin, please let her go. It was my fault.

He doesn't look at me, but he releases the girl. She coughs.

Edwin - You won't be so lucky next time.

Nikki - This ends now, you, blondie. Let's go to the field; we have something to settle. If I win, you leave me alone. If you win, I'll stay away from both you and Edwin.

Rox - Okay.

We head to the field; the whole school seems to be there to watch. I warm up a bit – I'm ready.

Rox - Ready to lose? Try this. (She demonstrates a move.)

Nikki - Okay. (I mimic the move perfectly.) Done.

Rox - Now this. (She shows me another move, similar to the first one but with a twist.)

Rox - And finally, this. (She does a jump and in mid-air spreads her legs and touches her toes.)

I perform each move she demonstrates, even adding some acrobatics.

Nikki - Now it's my turn. I'll just give you one challenge.

I move away from the others, take a deep breath, and concentrate. I exhale sharply, start running to build up speed, execute a cartwheel with a half twist into a backflip with a triple twist.

Nikki - If you can do that better than me, you win.

Rox - Okay.

Mariana - Are you sure? – Roxana nods.

Marina - Good luck, friend.

She gets into position to start. I can see she's very nervous. As she starts running, she only manages to do a backflip before falling to the ground. The crowd boos her. I move away, walk back to the classroom, grab my backpack.

I leave the school, get into my car. Inside, I receive a notification from my favorite band, "Moderatto." There's a concert tonight. If I ask my dad for permission, he'll likely say no. So, I decide to invite Judith. I put on my hands-free device and call her as I drive to the gymnasium.