Be My Mistake

002: First Impression

Maria Herrán

I walked over to the seat. Ignoring Lu and Guzman who were giving me the stink eye as I pulled out the chair and sat down. Then I started grabbing my notebook, pens and highlighter out from my bag, placing them on my desk neatly.

Ander mutters a simple 'hola (hello)' and I did the same. He had this tight lipped friendly smile again and I smiled back.

"Cómo te llamas?" He asked while taking his tablet and pen out of his bag. However, as soon as Ander asked for my name, Guzmán gave him this disapproving look. I turned to my side, trying to ignore him while Ander raised an eyebrow then completely ignoring Guzmán. Frustrated, he turned back his attention to Lu.

"I'm Maria Herrán and what is your name?" I know I already know his name already but I don't want things to get awkward and it's rude not to ask somebody's name when starting a conversation.

"Ander. Ander Muñoz." He replied but before he can say anything, Guzmán interrupted, he looks at me with a smirk on his face. "What is your name?" He speaks slowly in English as if he doesn't think I can understand because I'm this scholar kid who came from a poor school or something.

He is the most immature man I've ever met in my entire life. Who does he think he is? The owner of this school?

I didn't respond, I simply opened up my notebook, grabbing my pen and started doodling something on the first page. He seems frustrated again as he turned back to me in an annoyed expression.

"Maria?" I looked up. Ander had been watching me, I noticed. "It's good to have a new normal person around, who's not acting crazy."

"Acting crazy?" I asked him, feeling a bit confused.

"You'll see, what you encountered is only the tip of the iceberg. Bienvenida a Las Encinas (Welcome to Las Encinas) Maria."

Ander's statement got me more confused.

Is he giving me a warning? Is this like a test to the new students or Guzmán, Lu and the rest are naturally mean?

Mr. Martin then enters, thankfully and begins to talk.

"Good morning class, please settle down." Mr. Martin said as he turns his laptop on the table. "Okay. So, as we all know, we have a new student with us today. Let's get to know her. Ms. Maria Herrán?"

After that, my picture appears on the screen. I stand in my place, feeling nervous as everyone looks at me. Both Guzmán and Lu along with Polo and Carla have an amused look on their faces, thinking that I would be humiliating myself in front of everyone.

Prove them wrong Maria, I know you can do it!

"Hello, I'm Maria. I'm sixteen years old. My family is from the Philippines but I was born here in Spain and when I finish my studies here in Las Encinas, I want to study at New York University or Cambridge University and I'd like to be an Architect someday."

"Wow! Impressive Ms. Herrán, you may now take your seat." I sat back down on my chair, that was nerve racking but I felt this little victory when I saw Guzmán's expression, that was priceless.

"Nice, you're so good in English." Ander complimented.

"Thanks Ander, so do you." I replied.

Aside from Marina, Ander and some of Marina's friends, the other students seemed unhappy with me being here especially Lucrecia.

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Author's Note:

How do you feel about Maria and Ander's interactions?

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