CARMEN'S POV

Horrible, school was horrible like always. After hours of torture, finally it's the only time I'm looking forward to, lunch time. After math class, I put everything in my backpack and start to search for the cafeteria. I looked at the map and follow the direction. As I walk across the hallway, I could feel all eyes on me. I mean come on, was it that weird to see me. I sighed. "DO WE HAVE A PROBLEM?!" I screamed at everyone. Some turned quickly, avoid eye contact, some pretending to be talking to his or her friends.

"THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT!" I huffed angrily. I pulled my bangs back and continue to walk to the cafeteria. I pushed the double door and again, eyes falls on me. I sighed as I walk towards the food counter. Thank God they serve my favorites. I proceed to pay for my food and gave the lunch lady a $100 bill. "Miss, we don't have change," I picked up my tray. "It's fine. Keep the change." As I was searching for an empty table, I saw Catherine waving and smiling at me."Hey Carmen," Catherine said as she hugged me. I heard gasped from the student around us. I pulled away and turned my head to Christina. "Hey Chris," she nodded and offered her cheek to me. Seriously! She looked at me when I didn't oblige her request.

"Don't you miss me Carmen," she said, acting like she's hurt with my gestured. I sighed. I lean in and kissed her cheek. "Happy?" she smiled and I sit next to her. I was eating when I decide to look at their trays. Fried chicken, carbonated drinks, onion rings and French fries. So they eat like this and stay like that. I cleared my throat. "So you two eat like this, still be a cheerleaders and don't eat salad for lunch?" they both turned their head to me. "Just because we both cheerleaders, doesn't mean we have to starve ourselves," Christina said as she took a big bite from her fried chicken. I nodded in agreement. As I enjoying my food, I saw her again. Miss Vincent walked gracefully, entering the cafeteria with some of her teammates and jock.

I hate those types of people. They think they all that! "Why don't you two hang out with those dumb jock?" they both turned their heads behind them. "Like you said, the jocks are dumb dimwits," I chuckled. Christina is stating the obvious. "Oh look, Paul is trying to annoy Larissa again," I turned my head to see who this Larissa is. And I noticed that the girl with the boy in our class. So her name is Larissa. Nice name. Nice name for a beautiful girl. Catherine turned her head to Chris. "Should we help her?" Christina shakes her head. "We will help when it's get too far," Catherine nodded. Suddenly we heard a bickering. "PAUL! STOP IT!" I turned my gaze to Larissa and Paul. I clenched my fist. I don't know why but I feel like I need to protect her.

Catherine noticed and put her hand on top of mine. "No. Let Chris handle it," she coos in my ear. She put her arms on top of my shoulder to calm me. Christina stood up and fixes her uniform and walk with rage to Larissa's table. "PAUL! LEAVE HER ALONE," Christina screamed. The whole cafeteria watched this like a movie. Paul stood up, eye to eye with Christina. "What will you do bitch!?" he spat dangerously; anger visible in his tone. I can feel my body shaking. No one talks to my sister like that. NO ONE!

Catherine is gripping my shoulder to calm me. "Carmen listen, Chris can handle this. Hey listen to me," she kissed my forehead. Somehow that calms me. "You fucking dare to talk to me like that Paul Bradley?" Christina asked venomously. I don't know what happen next, rage controls me. He was about to slap my sister but instead he slap my face. I looked at his eyes with rage.

***

LARISSA'S POV

What should I do? I just caused a fight between them. He was about to slap Christina when I heard Catherine scream her name. "CARMEN!!!!" but before we get to register everything, Paul's hand slap hard on the new girl's cheek. I looked at Carmen's fist clenched tightly, like she's controlling her anger. She dare to challenges a man, taller and bigger than herself. If anything happen, I know it's my fault. I dragged the Larove in my messed. How can I ever forgive myself? "You don't TALK to my sister like that!" Carmen said through gritted teeth. Catherine is beside her little sister, whispering something at her ears. But Carmen's fury gazed still on Paul's. "Carmen! ENOUGH!" Christina screamed at her.

It brought her back to reality. She was looking at her sister with loving eyes but quickly turned to soulless gazed. "Catherine, table, now" Christina turned to me and the others. "Larissa, Carrie, Gina, my table, now," We followed her orders. Christina gazed turned to Paul. "You're lucky she's not fully at rage. One more time Paul, you're dead," Paul was speechless. He knows he just cause a war between their family. And it will not end well. It never was. Christina snapped her fingers and we follow her. "Sit," she instructed us. They never let anyone sit with them. Not even the team. Today is weird! I looked at Catherine, still holding her little sister tightly. She gave me a soft smiled when she noticed I was watching her. "How is she?" I heard Chris says. "Good I guess. Talk to her," Christina moved to sit beside Carmen.

She put her arms around her. "Carmen... It's Christina. It's fine. I'm safe. Larissa is safe. Look," Carmen slowly lifted her head and our eyes interlocked for the second time today. But something about her eyes is different. This time, her gazed tells me she care for me. "Miss Vincent?" I nodded. "What have I done?" she asked, it seems she's back to normal. Her sisters removed their arms from her shoulder. "You nearly kill a boy. Carmen control yourself next time." Christina said, back to her bitchy attitude. Carmen gave her a light nodded. "Carmen, let me introduce you. This is Carrie, Gina and Larissa," Catherine introduced us. "They all juniors," Carmen looked at us. "We've met, they know my name, and I don't know theirs. But I guess I do now," Chris clapped her hand.

"Remember practice today. My routine needs perfection," oh no, practice. I have work today. How should I escape from this? I looked at Catherine pleadingly. I can see her mouth mouthing a silent 'oh'. "Chris, Larissa is dismissed. She needs to help .... Ummm.... Help.... Carmen!" I looked at her with surprise. "Help me with wha...." Carmen didn't get to finished her question with Catherine's hand on her mouth. Christina looks at her twin sister with a confused look. Catherine whispers something at Carmen's ear. "Yes. Miss Vinc...." Catherine closes her mouth again.

"I mean Larissa have to help me with .... Um... Mr. Martin class," Carmen finished. I can see Catherine released a heavy sigh. Christina look skeptically at her sisters. "Fine," Catherine gave me a small smiled. But, Carmen didn't. She avoids eye contact. She just focuses on her lunch. Did I do something wrong?????