CHAPTER 005
1531 Words
Alejandro's fist struck my jaw before I could even react. I stumbled back a few steps as his right hook struck with such force, my face exploding with pain. My teeth had sunk into the inside of my cheek, causing blood to fill my mouth.
"Jerk, you asked for it!" Alejandro spat in my direction and growled. I rubbed my aching cheek and looked around the cafeteria.
As if they already knew Alejandro had won, everyone was watching with apologetic looks. However, I was not going to allow him to humiliate me in front of the entire school.
I saw my opportunity as Alejandro turned to leave. I hurried over, took hold of his arm, threw him around, and slammed my shoulder into his abdomen. He gasped and doubled over.
I pressed my knee against his chin. He staggered but barely managed to stay upright. Anger sharpened my reflexes as he drew back to deliver another vicious blow. We collided with a nearby table after I ducked under his swing and tackled him around the waist. Food and plates flew in all directions.
"Not so tough now, are you?" With ragged breaths, I shot at him. "Fight! Fight!" was chanted by some of the students who screamed around us.
Alejandro's eyes were filled with intensity as he glared up at me, and then he tackled me to the ground. We rolled across the floor, trading blows. My side ached as his fist struck my ribs.
"Cease! "Please, stop!" Camila ran over and cried out. She pulled at Alejandro's shoulder, but he gave her such a forceful shove that she fell to the ground.
I didn't anticipate the fire that was ignited inside me when I saw her fall like that. How could he possibly treat her that way? But hold on, why am I even interested? I don't consider her a friend. Usually, she opposes me. But I became enraged when I saw him push her.
I straddled Alejandro, flipped him over, and delivered a couple satisfying punches to his face with renewed vigour. Before I could smash a cafeteria tray on his head, someone yanked me away from him by the collar.
It was the principal, Mr. Hernández.
"Enough!" His voice broke through the confusion. There was silence in the cafeteria. He gave me a fierce look first, then shifted his attention to Alejandro, who was lying on the floor, covered in noodles and spaghetti sauce.
I suppressed a laugh and bit the inside of my cheek. It was nearly too good to be true.
"You two. My workspace. "Now." Mr. Hernández's voice was abrasive. He pulled me away from Alejandro by grabbing me by the shirt.
Alejandro slapped his hand away when he reached down to help him up. "I can get up myself!"
Alejandro's eyes were burning with defiance as he slowly pushed himself off the ground.
I looked at Camila, who was still on the ground with tears running down her cheeks. Mr. Hernández caught sight of me and followed my eyes. "Camila, you too. You'll accompany us and describe what transpired."
Camila gave me a blame-filled look, and I suppressed a laugh. Like I was to blame for this. He initiated it. I just got it done.
She sighed and got to her feet after wiping her eyes. Red-faced, she brushed off her clothes and went out of the cafeteria with Mr. Hernández.
Even though the bleeding had stopped, Alejandro stomped past me while clutching his nose. Without even glancing at me, he gave me a hard shove on the shoulder.
I glared at his back, set my jaw, and trailed behind them.
As we walked, Camila's brows furrowed when she caught up to Alejandro. She extended her hand and lightly touched his swollen cheek.
"Are you alright, baby? That looks awful.
Alejandro's voice was sharp as he slapped her hand away. "Avoid touching me!"
"I... I'm just trying to help..."
"You ought to have stayed out of it if you wanted to assist! However, you had to intervene, and now, lucky for you, you're the one who fell.
"You fool, I didn't want you to get hurt!"
Alejandro laughed mockingly. "What? I can't defend myself now? Do you think so? Do you not think I'm tough enough?
"That isn't it at all!"
"Well, you certainly have a humorous way of expressing your support."
I was unable to resist. I scoffed loudly enough for them to hear me cross my arms. "Oof, and here I thought you two were the ideal pair..."
Both of them glared at me. "Get out of here, Mateo!"
I raised my hands in submission. "I apologise, but please carry on with your captivating soap opera. Act as though I'm not present.
Alejandro narrowed his eyes and stepped towards me. "You know, I would banish that snarky smile from your face if Mr. Hernández weren't present."
"Ohh, and get beaten again?"
Mr. Hernández turned and gave us a scowl. With a commanding voice, he yelled, "Save it for my office!"
As we made our way to his office, we remained silent. Mr. Hernández entered and gestured towards the chairs on the other side of his desk.
"Take a seat. You all."
We took a seat facing his big oak desk. With his eyes on the three of us, Mr. Hernández folded his hands and sat down in his chair.
"Now, could someone please explain what transpired outside?" He started by concentrating on Camila.
"I... Well, uh.
From where I sat, I could almost hear her heartbeat. Her eyes flitted anxiously to Alejandro, refusing to meet Mr. Hernández's gaze. I scowled. Did she fear him?
"I—I'm not entirely sure. She stared at her hands and muttered, "It all happened so quickly."
Mr. Hernández's eyebrow went up. However, you were present when it began, correct? You must be aware of something.
Camila remained silent. Her eyes remained on her lap.
With a heavy sigh, Mr. Hernández took off his glasses and massaged his temples.
"Well, Mateo, I think you should apologise to Alejandro since we don't have a clear picture here."
I stared at him in amazement. "What? When he delivered the first blow, why should I apologise?
"Elejandro fared worse, regardless of who initiated it. Look at him, I mean. He gestured towards Alejandro's face. "You should be the bigger man because you were the one who was less hurt."
"All right, I apologise." I clench my teeth.
Mr. Hernández gave a nod. "All right. We can now move on from this regrettable event."
"I apologise," I said. "Punk!" "That I didn't break your hand so you couldn't use it to punch anyone again!"
"Mr. Torres!" Alejandro jumped to his feet as Mr. Hernández yelled.
Alejandro snatched up his rucksack and gave Mr Hernández a fierce look. "You know what? I have no time for such nonsense. Come on, Camila.
Camila slowly got to her feet, but before she could follow him, I caught her by the wrist.
"No, princess, you don't. The principal hasn't finished yet. I pulled her back into her chair.
Alejandro's eyes blazed as he turned back. He glared and stormed out, slamming the door behind him, but it briefly appeared as though he was about to charge at me.
Mr. Hernández was standing there with a red face and a bulging vein in his forehead. After a long moment of staring after Alejandro, he turned back to us while panting.
He collected himself and spluttered, "I never... Well, in all my years..." He exhaled deeply and straightened his tie. "From my office. You two."
"And Mateo, you can spend your afternoon scrubbing the bathroom clean," he said as we turned to go.
I sneered. "Yes, don't believe that. I have bruised ribs, in case you missed it.
"Not my problem."
I gave him a stern look, reminding him of my father's true nature.
Mr. Hernández averted his gaze and cleared his throat. "Oh... Yes, well, perhaps Camilla ought to take you to the nurse first. Check yourself out.
I grinned. "You seem to have offered her up."
Camila came to a halt, her eyes wide. "But I have class, Mr. Hernández..."
"Miss Delgado, do you have anything more important to do?"
"No, sir. I'll have him."
As we left the office, I chuckled quietly. I gave her a quick look. Do you think you could ride along with me to the nurse, Princess? After that fight, my legs are a little sore.
Ignoring me and keeping her gaze straight ahead, she accelerated her pace.
I stuffed my hands in my pockets and grinned.
Camila abruptly stopped, motionless, as we turned a corner. I almost bumped into her.
"Hey, what's going on?" I was about to ask when I noticed why she had stopped.
Alejandro and Valeria were standing together up ahead. Valeria reached up and touched Alejandro's swollen cheek tenderly. His gaze remained fixed on hers. He smiled when she leaned close and whispered something in his ear.
Pale as a ghost, Camila stood there. Her eyes filled with tears.
I parted my lips, then shut them again. I couldn't say anything to make this better.
- Writer
