Chapter 36

GABRIELA

Since I've been with Alex, classes go by faster, which is weird, because from what they say, time passes slower if you're not with the person you love. Recess had finally arrived and from what Alex told me, his class would be a little late today, I don't know why, so when I leave class Marcos is waiting for me with Clara, there's no sign of Sara.

"And Sara?" I asked, looking to see if I saw her coming towards us. "You won't believe it, but she went out with Dani. I don't think they even went to the previous class." her sister replied, "It's not surprising, really, it was time for her to decide." I laughed, because I had noticed for a long time those two were attracted to each other. "What are you talking about?"

"My things, don't worry." I assured them, "You know something and you're not telling us." Marcos protested to which I rolled my eyes "Because this is none of your business Marcos, I wonder when someone will decide." That was going directly to him, which he understood the first time and without him having to give any further explanations, more than anything because it's convenient for him, but if he kept delaying, I would tell Clara myself, no matter how much he wants to kill me later, I would do it without a second's hesitation, my best friend's happiness depended on it.

We got down and left college. We were walking when Marcos and Clara began to quicken their pace, I could tell they're tense which now I don't understand why that was. "What happens to you two?" I asked with a frown. "Nothing, let's go down."

I could see Clara turn back a little, causing me to do the same. I could see why they quickened their pace, but whatever they're thinking, I know what's going through Marcos head at the moment and I'm not going to do anything to that woman, it's not worth getting my hands dirty for people like her, so I kept walking until we reached the usual place.

It doesn't take Alex much longer to arrive and thank goodness, because Marcos and Clara were getting on my nerves, but when I look at his face, I also see he's tense. "What happen to you? Why are the three of you so tense?" I asked, tensing up. "I'm not beautiful." Alex tried, but I denied, because I could tell he's tense. "Don't lie to me, I can see you are. What happen to you?"

"It's nothing, don't worry." He insisted "Something is because you have been like this since Paula was behind us." I responded "No wonder." At that moment they both turn to look at Clara who had slipped that information, I don't know what they heard or saw, the only thing I know is that's what has them tense.

"Are you going to tell me what's happening or do I have to find out on my own?" I questioned and Alex sighs "First of all don't get angry or go do something you don't want to." He began "No Alex… Don't tell her." Marcos asked "Marcos, he's going to tell me. Go ahead please." I said, focusing my gaze on my boyfriend again. "It's just..."

"You're starting to scare me, what's happening?" I asked, "Alex, it's not a good idea for you to tell her, I'm serious." They'e really starting to get on my nerves. I don't know what's happening or anything, but it can't be good for them to have the faces they have and to be as tense as they are right now.

"We're just worried about you, that's it." He finally said to which I snorted, because I knew that isn't what had them tense. "Ok, I see how the game is going. Clara, I know you'll tell me what's really happening, please tell me what's happening." I could notice how the two turned towards her, but I know she won't hide anything from me, luckily for me she's one of those people who believed everything should be told no matter how painful it is.

"How do I tell you... We heard Paula say something about your family, more specifically about your sister." With those words I already got in a bad mood, but I have to control myself, first I must listen to what that idiot said about my family, I wouldn't allow her to mess with my family, the one she has the problems with, is me, not them.

"What exactly did she say?" I asked, crossing my arms. "That she's just like you, that she lets others mess with her and you're the same Gabriela from years ago and she's not afraid of you no matter how much you act tough now, you're still the same little girl anyone could pick on."

Alex and Marcos were already at my side to stop me. I'm sure they thought I would go out for her to make some things clear to her, and I would do so with pleasure, but I also know what she wants to provoke me. I don't know what she intended by doing that, but nothing good for sure.

I sat there looking into nothingness and putting that out of my head, more than anything so as not to get so angry that they could notice it. Sometimes I'm impressed by how I control my emotions, I was never good at that, I think I started to get better at it when they picked on me.

I noticed how the three of them stared at me, with a surprised look, you could say. I'm one hundred percent sure they thought I would go after her to set the record straight and maybe hit her for saying something stupid like what she said.

"You look calm." Marcos observed, "I am. I don't know what you were expecting, well, I do know." I said, shrugging my shoulders, even though inside I'm filled with anger. "Are you sure you heard what Clara said?" He asked and I nodded, because I had heard her, loud and clear. "Yeah, now change those faces because I'm not going to do anything, let her say whatever she wants."

"That's new." Marcos mused, "Marcos, you know perfectly well what I think about what that girl does, but she wants to achieve something, I'm not going to play along with her no matter how much she wants to. Besides, if what she says is true, that she's not afraid of me, let her tell it to my face, I'll be happy to wait for her."

"That wouldn't have happened at any other time." Marcos said, I think in an attempt to whisper, "Surely not, but I have to think carefully about my movements, I don't want to get into trouble because of her. Do you know what my parents' reaction would be right now? I don't want you to worry about something that's in the past. It's better to forget everything that happened and that's it."

"Sometimes I think you're another Gabriela, I really tell you" Marcos said, as if surprised. "Well, I'm the same as always, so you can stop thinking that." I responded, "I know, but it's difficult to explain to you what's going on in my head." He replied, "Don't worry, I understand you, it happens to me too."

The rest of the break passed considerably quickly and we left for class again. On the way we passed a smiling Paula, but she quickly changed when she saw I had it too, which confirmed to me what she wanted was to provoke me, and I think I know what my way of acting could be, the same way she does, provoking me I have quite a lot of patience and I'm more than sure she will fall sooner than I will, I will take care of that myself.