+ Camila + 

The wheels of a red Toyota protested when the driver abruptly halted close to building C. After turning off the engine, the woman looked at her surroundings and sighed.

I hope this won’t turn into a waste of time.

Before going out of the car, the sound of a new message demanded her attention. She read, 'We’ve been instructed to go to the auditorium, so she should be on her way right now. Good luck.' An emoji winking at her followed the message.

Camila exited the vehicle and strolled through the sidewalk, getting into the field of vision of a student, consciously lacing his sneakers. She asked where the auditorium was in a demanding tone.

The frowny young man stared at her red stilettos and shapely legs before looking up. He grinned and quickly rose to point her in the right direction. “Just that way, miss.”

Camila was certain that when she looked away, the guy furtively looked at her bosom.

And once I walk away, you’ll just stand here, continuing to lace your shoes while staring at my butt. Whatever, kid.

Camila tossed back her shiny black hair and gave him a friendly smile, making the guy's eyes glitter.

By the way, thanks for letting me know I look good today. I need to look nice for what’s coming.

The sound of her high heels brought the attention of a pair of girls, who bitterly glanced at her fit figure, lined by a black pencil dress. Camila’s red lips were forming a smirk, and her sunglasses hid her condescending eyes. 

God, I’m surrounded by kids. 

After exhaling deep, she took her shades off at the sight of another teen, absently walking from the opposite direction with her eyes glued to her phone.

Let’s see. A petite, redhead girl, wearing a bob haircut… But just in case… Camila checked the saved photo on her phone once again, depicting a teen absently staring at the camera. Like a doll without a soul. Yeah, that’s definitely her. 

The goddamn doll.

“Ana Terán?” Camila called aloud, blocking the teen's path.

The young redhead immediately grimaced at the stranger. “Who the--?” she muttered before receiving a hard slap in the face.

+ Laura + 

“You should’ve seen it! It was so funny!”

“Aww, I hate having missed the show!”

“So what else happened? Did it turn into an Ego fight?”

“Nah, the Red Stain just remained silent like a moron and ran away, holding her tears.”

“I didn’t expect Camila to really show up today. That woman is bold!”

“And where is the Red Stain, anyway? Has she gone home already? Crying?”

Laura, who was eavesdropping while maintaining a grin on her face, passed them by. I know where to find her. She took the stairs to the first floor and confidently entered the restroom beside the Computer Lab, looking down for a pair of pink Converse. Found you.

Laura got inside the neighboring bathroom stall and stepped over the toilet to peek at the girl, trying to cover her cheek with makeup. “Do you need help with that?"

Ana looked up, showing that she had successfully covered half of Camila’s red-marked hand.

“Please tell me that the coast is clear,” Ana said in a low, pleading voice.

“Not yet. Not until the Bitch Squad can spread the news to the whole campus, I suppose.”

“Great, just great.” Ana got out of the stall to look at her reflection in the restroom’s mirror, with Laura following her shortly, leaning against the adjacent sink. 

“So… García’s wife is leftie, huh?” Laura said, gazing at Ana’s injured cheek.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” Ana muttered while continuing her work.

“Sorry, sorry.” Laura shrugged and pulled out her cherry flavor gloss, applying it gently. “You’re still coming to my birthday party, right?=

“Sorry Lau, I don’t think it’s a good idea. That would be like kicking the hornet nest...”

“More like the henhouse, don’t you think?” Laura giggled. “Besides, why are you so worried about those bitches now? When the García thing exploded, you still showed up in classes like it wasn’t a big deal.” She paused to look at Ana’s thoughtful expression, now in the middle of applying lipstick. “Hey, I know what’ll put you in the mood. Just picture a tall, fit guy, with broad shoulders and a heart-melting gaze.”

Laura waited for Ana’s reaction, who met her eyes through the mirror.

I want to know if you would consider hooking up with someone after what you’ve done.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Laura held her breath, trying not to smirk.

“Who is he?” Ana asked.

“My cousin! Come to tonight’s party and I’ll introduce you to him.”

“Is he…” Ana looked away and acted shy, but Laura had already noticed the gleam in her eyes. “...really as cute as it sounds?”

Laura turned to her and put a hand on her hip. “Ana, sweetie, that question offends me. He’s from my family, he's obviously super hot.”

+ Ana + 

What I didn’t expect was to get bored so quickly.

While waiting for Laura to keep her promise, Ana sat on the living room couch, trying to pass the time with her phone. 

Ana checked her social media messages. She surfed the web for a short time and played a game absently, all done while thirty college students danced, drank, and laughed loudly around her.

Although her gaze did not leave the tiny screen, her mind was still nagging her about the blind date.

And could it even be considered a blind date?

“Well…” a quiet, hissing voice said to her ear. Something resembling an elongated slim shadow crawled out of her back and took a more discernible shape, looking like a dark, crimson snake tightly bounding Ana’s neck. “...You bother to dresss up all cute and foxy jussst for the ocasssion. Ssso...”

“I didn’t dress foxily,” Ana replied quietly, without taking her eyes off the phone.

The translucent creature hissed intermittently, trying to simulate a laugh. “Hi-hi-hiss! Yeah, right! A black sssee-through messsh bloussse? A plaid mini ssskirt and thigh-high ssstockingsss? You're even wearing your brand new C.L. high heelsss, for chrissst sssake! But no, you’re right! You rather look like a nun ready to pray to death than the thirsty teen you--!”

“Hey, beautiful.” A classmate sat beside her, forcing the mocking apparition to dissipate immediately, as if it was made of fog. “What are you doing?”

“Hi, Joel.” Ana addressed him without looking in his direction. “I’m just farming this event before it goes down tonight.”

Joel frowned before inspecting her screen. “Are you talking about a game? What is it called?”

“Oh, I don’t think you’ve ever heard of it. What about you? Are you having fun?”

“Kinda.” The young man sighed loudly. “Unfortunately, the beer ran out.”

“Bummer.”

“And then I came here to take you to the dance floor." He elbowed her playfully. "Come on.”

“Aww, you didn’t have to worry about me, Joel. I’ve already danced half an hour ago. Watch.” Ana stopped what she was doing to show him a video already uploaded to her social media. On it, Ana was dancing in the crowd. Her gaze locked to the camera while maintaining a half-smile.

“Were you dancing alone?” Joel asked, dumbfounded. 

"Yes, so?" Ana quickly snatched the phone away. “And I’m not the one you should ask to dance.” Ana pointed to the center of the living room, where Laura was making her presence noticed, wearing a two-piece tight minidress. Her bosom looked extra stacked that night, and her hips attracted the attention of every male in the vicinity.

Joel shook his head. “But Laura already has all the company she needs.”

“She fancies you,” Ana blurted out. “Did you know that?”

This time, she glanced at him just to see his reaction.

Joel’s green eyes sparkled for a second, but he cleared his throat immediately. “Even if that's true, what if I fancy another girl?”

Ana looked him in the eye. Joel’s features were charming, and his curly brunette hair made him look straight up from a TV drama. 

And yet… 

What do you like so much about me? You could have Laura letting you use her huge titties as pillows if you asked her to, while I'm here, wearing a padded push-up bra. 

“It would never work out. Trust me," she said.

“What makes you say that?"

“Because you’re too good for me,” she replied, turning her voice soft and caressing his chin. “I’m the Red Stain, remember? Would you like to get your hands dirty by hanging out with me?”

Joel’s mouth remained ajar for a moment. “But you’re not…”

“There you are!” Laura approached them briskly, taking Joel by his hand. “Sitting doesn't suit you, Jo! Come on, let’s shake the body!” As Laura pulled him out of the couch, she turned to Ana to whisper: “Thanks for taking care of him in my absence.”

“I was just making sure of keeping the bitches away from him.”

And it worked. Everyone here looks at me or evades me like if I had rabies.

Laura giggled before leaning into her. “By the way, about our previous talk,” she whispered. “Sorry, but you’ll have to wait a little longer. He’s still not here.”

“Don’t worry, the night is still young.”

Having heard that, Laura winked at her and pulled Joel to the center of the living room, who gave one last excruciating glance at Ana. 

Don't look at me like that. Just listen to your primal instincts and go for the bigger target, instead of pursuing your Gothic Lolita fetish with me…

"We're nineteen, lol! We hardly count as a Lolita!" Ana’s black companion materialized again, talking over her shoulder. “And I thought we were going for the ‘Nymphet’ aesthetic tonight.”

"Whatever. Every single girl in this party looks childish compared to her."

Ana crossed her arms and looked at the teens gathered around Laura and her new partner, all dancing and jumping at the beat of the music.

She then glanced at her side, where some smokers were happily chatting on the balcony. In the kitchen, another group was constantly drinking and hoarding the snacks.

Everyone gathered in Laura’s apartment was having fun in their own way.

Except for me...

“I feel bad for Joel, you know… Laura isss going to eat him whole. Hi-hi-hisss. Too bad, becaussse I’d have loved to take a bite out of him firssst!”

“Yeah, go ahead,” Ana replied begrudgingly. “Steal the crush of the only friend we have left and see what happens.”

“That hasss never ssstopped usss before...”

“Let’s see what Laura has in store for us, and if his cousin turns out to be a dork, I’ll think about it.”

“Fine. Let'sss wait a little longer.” Both master and dark companion remained in silence for half a minute before the creature snorted. “Can we at leassst wait outssside? Thisss place isss making me sssick.”

“Agreed.”