Be My Mistake

008: Competition

Maria Herrán

At Las Encinas

It has been a few days since I've first stepped here in Las Encinas. Marina and Nadia are my two best of friends, Samu and Christian are like my guy friends you can always count on and me and Ander are now much closer than ever, we have lunch together and we've been on a few dates. I already told my mom about us, she approves of him but she said that I should be cautious when it comes to falling in love. Ander's parents approved of us too and his mom complimented me that I'm a good influence to Ander. While the others like Guzmán, Lucrecia and Carla still hates me but there's nothing I can do about it but Polo, it's kind of strange. He is now greeting me at the hallway like a good morning or hello that's why Carla hates me even more. Maybe it's because me and Ander are now together or it might be something that's planned, a part of their little game. If that's the case, I won't fall for it.

It's now first period, Mr. Martin placed our essays on our desks to see our grades and I can't believe I got a perfect score.

Wow I can't believe I got a hundred on our essay.

"Great job Ms. Herrán, keep up the good work." Mr. Martin congratulated me.

"Thank you Mr. Martin." I said while Lu gave me a stink eye but I completely ignore her.

Then Mr. Martin goes in front of the class, turned on his laptop to proceed to the next lesson but he got interrupted by Lu who clearly looked pissed by the result of the homework.

"Mr. Martin, why did the new girl got the highest score?" Lu complained.

"Ms. Hendrich, it's simply her work is much better than the others and with Ms. Herrán being new here, it's truly exemplary." Mr. Martin explained in a matter of fact tone.

"Mr. Martin, you don't know who you're dealing with and you know very well who my father is." Lu threatened our teacher.

Ugh what a damn spoiled brat.

"Ms. Hendrich, there isn't an ounce that I feel threatened by you. Instead, I feel more insulted. Please get out of my class."

"What?!" Lu exclaimed. "Mr. Martin, I won't get out of this class!" She added, slamming her hands on her desk.

"This is unacceptable Ms. Hendrich, get out of my class and come with me to the director's office after school." Mr. Martin said, trying to remain calm but I can already see the anger on his face and his neck looks like it's going to pop a vein.

Lu didn't retaliate anymore as she stands in her place, grabs her bag and gets out of the classroom. Marina tries to hold back a laugh because Guzmán gave her a side eye and who looks clearly pissed too.

"Sorry for the interruption class, let's now discuss our new lesson for today." Mr. Martin said as he opens up his lecture presentation. "Today we will be discussing about the history of Culture and Society then after this lesson, I will e-mail to all of you the topic for your group project and the list of the pairs I chose."

As Mr. Martin started to discuss the lesson, Ander gave me a squeeze on the shoulder to comfort me and I can't help but smile then we focused back on the lesson.

I'm so lucky to have met Ander, he is like a ray of sunshine.

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When the first period was over, I was going to the student's lounge to meet up with my friends but Lucrecia stopped me.

"¿Que estás haciendo (What are you doing)?" Lu asked in her usual bitchy tone.

"Clearly, I'm just doing my best here in this school." I said casually trying to put on a brave face. "I'm not a competition to you Lucrecia."

"When I first saw you in this school I already saw you as my equal, my competition." Lu said.

"Why do you want that trophy so bad? You're rich and you can pick where you want to study in the whole world." I explained.

"It's not about the money, my dear Maria. I want to be on too always, the number one in this school. I never plan on failing but it seems like you're taking it away from me piece by piece. First, you're friends with my boyfriend's sister, the teachers always approve of you, always the highest on every subject and you have such a great boyfriend like Ander." Lu said as I can feel a little hint of jealousy in her voice and I can also see it in her expression.

All that hate towards her faded away, I mostly pity her now because behind that intimidating front, there's an insecure girl within those layers.

"Look, Lucrecia, I'm not planning to compete with you or step into your territory. I just want to graduate in this nice school. Also, be grateful with what you have, you're lucky that you live in a huge house, a complete family and you don't have to make ends meet to have food on the table. I'll see you in our next class."

After that I left Lu when Guzmán approached and comforted her while I went inside the student's lounge, I see my friends including Ander were waiting for me.

"Maria, what took you so long? Que pasa?" Christian asked while I sit down next to Ander then he gives me a kiss on the cheek and I kissed him back.

Then, I placed my bag next to me, "Me and Lu had a talk by the hallway."

"What is it about?" Ander asked and I see the others are getting curious too.

"It's about the grades. You know Lucrecia being herself." I said, sparing them the other details because I don't wanna be that woman who sabotages women.

"Enough about Lu, Mr. Martin already sent the e-mail about our project." Nadia said as she takes a look at her phone.

"Nadia, cuéntos los detalles (tell us the details)." Samu said.

"Okay guys, the project is about getting to know each other; make a video presentation and submit a report about what you learned about your partner." Nadia explained.

"Ugh, why does Mr. Martin always gives us projects like this?" Christian groaned.

"Guys, the list of the pairs that Mr. Martin chose and it's quite an interesting pairing." Marina said. "Take a look at your phones now." She added then all of us take a look at our phones.

Mierda!

Marina and Samu high fived each other, "Hola partner." They both said in unison.

"Nice amigo! you're my partner. No soy bueno en inglés (I'm not good in English) but I can make one hell of a video!" Christian exclaimed.

"No worries amigo, I will make the words and you do the editing." Ander said.

I wish Ander was my partner~

While me and Nadia looked at each other, the both of us feeling disappointed with Mr. Martin's pairing.

Ander noticed my and Nadia's expression. "Maria, Nadia; the both of them are really great guys once you get to know them. Everything will be just fine." He explained.

"I hope so but working with Polo. Él es demasiado elegante y se ve intimidante (He's too posh and he looks intimidating)."

"Polo is a nice guy and besides, he is greeting you now unlike before." Ander assured me.

"I can't believe I will be working with that guy." Nadia said and clearly looked frustrated. "Lu and Guzmán were the ones who complained that they're feeling uncomfortable when they see me wearing my hijab." She added.

"Nadia, no worries. Me and Samu will be studying at my house. If he does anything wrong, I will punch him in the face." Marina said and that made Nadia feel at ease again.

What will happen to this project?

And I'm paired with that posh boy Polo.

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Author's Note: What do you think of this chapter?

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Sorry for my Spanish, I only know so little and I depend on a translator.