#Chapter2

Hello, my name is Belinda Hernández Ramírez, and I'm 15 years old. I live in New York and have three siblings named Peter, Rodrigo, and Nicolae. I'm also the cousin of Emilio and Teresa. I have a liking for adrenaline, underground races, parties, and alcohol. I'm a bit rebellious. My dad wants me to join the family business like my brothers when I grow up, but I'm not interested. I prefer parties, having fun, and breaking rules. I don't have the best group of friends.

Samuel - Belinda, there's a race today. Are you going?

Belinda - Of course, wouldn't miss it for the world.

Samuel - How are you going to sneak out without your dad noticing? I remember he grounded you.

Belinda - Don't worry. Meet me at the corner of my house at midnight.

Samuel - Alright, see you.

I see my brother Peter picking me up from school.

Belinda - Hi, brother.

Peter - Hello, dear. Who were you talking to?

Belinda - Just a friend. Nothing important. Shall we go?

We head home, and once inside, I change, finish my tasks, and start listening to music. I can't wait for it to be midnight. Only half an hour left. I hear a knock on my door, and I hurry to my bed, pretending to be asleep. It's my brother Peter.

Belinda - Come in. (Peter enters my room)

Peter - Are you going to sleep already, princess?

Belinda - Yes, I have an early class tomorrow. Goodnight.

Peter - Goodnight, princess. Sleep well. (He kisses me on the cheek and leaves my room.)

I hear someone leaving the house, and I check the time. It's finally midnight. I get comfortable in my bed as if I were sleeping. I quietly sneak out of my room through the window, careful not to make any noise. I reach the corner and see the blinking lights of a car. I approach, and it's my friend waiting for me. I get in the car.

Belinda - You scared me.

Samuel - Ready to race?

Belinda - Absolutely.

Samuel - Here, take this to spice up the party. (He hands me a beer, and I start drinking)

We head to the race. Finally, we arrive, and my friend gets out of the car.

Belinda - Where are you going?

Samuel - You'll race on your own.

Belinda - Okay.

Samuel - Done. Paid the entry fee. Ready?

Belinda - Yes.

I move to the driver's seat and line up for the race. On one side, I see a guy in his car, and on the other side, there's a guy on his motorcycle. They can't see me because of the tinted windows. A girl stands in front of the vehicles, holding a flag. 1... 2... and 3. I accelerate as fast as I can. The guy in the car overtakes me, but I push the pedal harder and manage to pass him. I feel the rush of adrenaline in my veins as I reach the finish line. Yes! I won! I head toward my friend.

Belinda - See? I won! (I'm excited and happy)

Samuel - Yeah! Come, let me introduce you to the guys you just beat.

Belinda - Wow! Twins?

Matthew - Yes, but we're different. I'm Matthew Ortega. Nice to meet you.

Taylor - I'm Taylor Ortega. Nice to meet you too.

Belinda - Nice to meet you guys. (While we're talking, we hear police sirens. We all scatter and get back to our cars. I run to my friend's car, but unfortunately, the police surround us. Damn, what do I do?)

Police - Step out of the car with your hands up.

I have no choice. I exit the car and kneel down. They put me in the police car and take me to the station. They call my dad, and after a while, he arrives. He pays the bail so I can be released.

Mr. Hernández - Good evening, I'm here to bail out my daughter. How much is it?

Police - Here you go.

Mr. Hernández (pays the bail) This is the last time. I need to do something about this. They bring my daughter out, and we head to the car. Once we arrive home, I'll talk to her.

My dad bailed me out, but he hasn't said anything yet. I know he's angry. Let's see what he has to say when we get home. Probably the same as always. After a while, we get home and enter the house.

Belinda - Dad.

Mr. Hernández - Go to bed. We'll talk tomorrow. (I go to my room and lay down.)

(...)

The next morning, I hear a knock on the door. I get up.

Belinda - Come in. (My dad enters)

Belinda - Yes, Dad?

Mr. Hernández - Get dressed and come downstairs. I'll be waiting in the living room to talk.

My dad leaves my room, and I head to the bathroom to take a shower. I come out, get dressed, and go downstairs. My dad and my brothers are waiting in the living room.

Belinda - Yes, Dad?

Mr. Hernández - We've talked among your brothers and me. We've made a decision. You're going to a military boarding school in London.

Belinda - What? No, Dad, please!

Mr. Hernández - I'm sorry, but I've already arranged it. You've been accepted. You're leaving today. Pack your things. You'll be gone for 5 years.

Peter - It's for the best, princess.

Rodrigo - Yes, sis.

Nicolae - We'll see you in 5 years. I know it's a long time, but remember, we almost lost you once. It hurts us more than you.

Belinda - Okay, I'll pack my bags. (I say with sadness and tears in my eyes)

I go to my room, prepare my luggage, and finally finish. I hear my dad calling me, so I grab my suitcases and head downstairs. I see my brothers and dad, all with tears in their eyes. I start crying too.

Belinda - I'm ready.

Mr. Hernández - The car is waiting outside. The people are here to pick you up. Daughter, we'll see you in 5 years. Time will pass quickly.

Belinda - Yes, Dad. I love you all. See you in 5 years. Brothers, take care of Dad.

We hug each other, and I give them all a kiss. I leave with the people who have come to take me. I get in the car, and we head to the airport. Once there, we go to a private plane that's waiting for us. The airport staff takes my luggage and loads it onto the plane. The people signal for me to board.

Before I climb the stairs to the plane, I take one last look at my city. I want to carry the best memories with me since I won't be here for the next 5 years. I take a deep breath and start climbing. I enter the plane, choose a seat by the window to see the city. I buckle up. The people soon enter and take their seats on the other side.

The doors close, and the journey begins. I'm truly sad about leaving my family, but it's for my own good. I need to change and become the daughter my father and brothers want me to be. After a few hours, we finally arrive.

I unbuckle my seatbelt and leave the plane. The others follow behind me. The airport staff hands me my luggage, and a car is waiting to take us to our destination. As we drive, I look out of the window, seeing only trees, plants, and fields. Hours pass until I see the location. It's fenced all around, with only one gate for the people who work here.

The car stops by the gate, and the window rolls down. The people in the back signal for me to get out. I step out, and the gate opens. We enter the premises, and the car takes us to the entrance. Once inside the car, the driver starts it and takes me to the main building. I gaze out of the window and see a vast field. The place has an antique feel to it.

Mr. (1) - Welcome to the military boarding school. Here, you'll find various activities and careers. You'll be able to pursue what you like, and when you graduate, you'll be able to practice it.

Belinda - Like what?

Mr. (2) - Well, there's FBI training, bodyguard training, computing, graphic design, and more. What interests you?

Belinda - Actually, I'm interested in FBI training, computing, bodyguard training, and graphic design.

Mr. (1) - Wow, you're into a lot. Let's take you to your room and introduce you to your roommates.

I follow them, and they lead me to my dormitory. The girls there look at me strangely as they search through my belongings to ensure I'm not carrying alcohol, knives, or prohibited items. They hand me my uniform, explain the schedule, and give me a list of rules for the place. I change into the uniform and leave my old clothes with them. I step out for a walk and run into a guy. He's not bad-looking; in fact, he's quite handsome.

Jace - Hey, what's your name? You're new, right?

Belinda - Yes, I'm Belinda Hernández. And you?

Jace - Nice to meet you, Belinda Hernández. I'm Jace Wayland. Let me show you around.

Belinda - Thanks. (As he shows me around, we chat, and from that moment on, we become good friends.)