Chapter 1
Lupe and Mia had been asked by Ramiro to welcome their new guests the best way they knew how. By dancing. The girls decided Mia was best for showing the individuality of Saint Mary.
“What just happened? Was that for real?” Olivia scoffs.
“I liked it,” Tobias says watching the dancers group up.
“Come on. That was sad.”
“It was passionate.”
“Passion won’t win nationals,” Juanma comments, frankly.
“Excuse me,” Lupe asks. “What did you say about my team?”
Juanma turns and faces the raven-haired girl head-on.
“I said passion won’t win nationals.”
“And what would a basketball player like you know about nationals?”
Juanma’s face closes off a bit. Ramiro hears the commotion.
“I’ve been to the competitions. Trust me, that’s not going to win.”
“I’d appreciate it if you dispersed. The girls were welcoming you to the school. Clap and go to class.”
----- ----- -----
“That was rude.” Lupe fumes.
“It was. But did you see the other guy?” Agus sighs.
“He was cute.” Mia acknowledges.
“He was beyond cute,” Sofi says.
“Girls, do you mind grabbing us seats. I want to be in the center of class.” Lupe says.
Sofi and Agus walk off.
“Mia do you have something to tell me?”
Mia turns to deny anything but sees the expression on her sister’s face.
“Ok, the other guy was cute.”
“He’s friends with the person who insulted us.”
“We don’t know that they are friends per se. And it wasn’t so much an insult as a comment.” Mia cuts herself off because Lupe is about to seethe. “But the cute one said we were passionate. You know how much I want my art to reach people.”
Lupe nods. That was Mia’s biggest concern whereas Lupe wanted to win.
“Okay. I think you’re too nice but I’ll give the guy a chance to show himself better than his acquaintances.”
“That’s all I ask. It’s not like I want you to ask the blond for pointers.”
Lupe’s eyes bulge and Mia pulls her forward to class. Then stops abruptly.
“Mia!” Lupe shrieks as she bumps into her.
“Uh, you’ll be able to start forming that opinion now.”
Lupe looks around her and sees the “cute one”. She grins and marches right up to him.
“Where does your friend get off saying that about the Go! team?”
“Uh, hello.”
“Yes, hello. Tell me.” She crosses her arms.
“Well, Juanma is really opinionated. Sometimes he keeps it to himself. Sometimes he doesn’t.” He glances past Lupe at Mia. “I think you guys are good though.”
“Good? Good is not enough. We are nearly sensational thank you very much.”
“Okay.” He agrees.
“My name is Mia. The angry one is my sister Lupe.” She says, stepping next to his desk.
“Nice to meet you, Mia and Lupe. I’m Tobias.”
Lupe hums.
“And your friend, Juanma was it? How close are you two?”
“Pretty close. We’ve been friends since we were kids.”
“Same,” Mia says, then laughs. “Not me and Lupe but our Go! team. Most of us have known each other forever.”
Lupe sighed internally.
“Class.” The teacher calls.
“I can’t wait to meet them.”
Mia smiles.
“I hope you can forgive Juanma.”
Lupe grimaces.
“I would be able to forgive him if he had insulted anything besides my team.”
----- ----- -----
“Juanma, you insulted them,” Tobias says.
“Better for them to be insulted at their school than laughed off the national stage.” Juanma comments without looking up from his plate.
Olivia starts laughing.
“Juanma that’s too much. They wouldn’t get laughed off. They just wouldn’t make it that far.”
“Well, I think they would be amazing. The lead girl has great stage presence.”
Olivia and Juanma look at Tobias.
“Okay I might not know much about dancing and singing but I liked it.”
“Oh, they’re exiting the food line. Quick, Tobias do you want the blond or brunette? Y’know got to make sure Juanma doesn’t fall for the wrong girl.” Olivia says with emphasis at the end.
Juanma looks at her disgusted.
“The blond,” Tobias answers with a dopey grin.
Olivia shakes her head at her brother.
“Girls, come sit with us.” She waves them over.
Mia looks at their friends then Lupe.
“If you want to go ahead,” Lupe says, apathetic.
“Lupe, Mia come sit with us.” She repeats.
Lupe is thankful her father hates eye-rolling or else she wouldn’t be able to control herself.
“How does she know our names?” Lupe whispers to Sofi and Agus.
“Can we sit with them?” Mia asks.
“Fine. But you’re sitting next to Juanma. I want the “cute one”.”
Mia looks heartbroken.
“To sit by.” Lupe corrects herself.
“Are they going to sit or what?” Olivia mutters.
“Ciao,” Zoe says, smiling.
“Hi,” Mia says sitting between Juanma and Olivia.
“Hi.” Tobias returns, smiling.
Across works too, Lupe thinks.
“So you’re dancers?” Olivia asks.
“We are,” Mia answers, cheerfully.
“I used to dance. We won nationals when I was a sophomore.”
“But Pemberly doesn’t have a team.” Lupe blurts, confused.
“We transferred last year.” Tobias provides.
“Oh, I know! I’m going to have a get together this weekend. So we can all get to know each other.”
Juanma makes eye contact with Lupe. She narrows her eyes at him and looks away.
“Isn’t it a bit early to party?” Lupe asks.
“I don’t think it is,” Tobias says. “What about you, Mia? Feel like a party?”
“Always.”
And we’re lost, Lupe thinks.
----- ----- -----
Lupe: Tobias is not so bad. Juanma is to be ignored. But does Go! Need something?
Juanma: Can the teachers announce their decision about Basketball yet?... Lupe has nice eyes.
Mia: I hope Lupe like Tobias.
Tobias: Mia
Zoe: They are all overreacting.
Simón: Everyone is so cute!
Olivia: Will Juanma dance with me?
Sofi: where are the cutest basketball players?
Agus: Whatever Sofi is thinking.
Martín: Go! Costumes are much more important than Pemberly gang.
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