“A person who shines brighter than the sun.”

“Ooh.”

Everyone clapped hands while I simply opened my eyes and looked at Karlos who was unfazed about it. We returned to our seats and Camila gave me a small elbow bump.

“Well, congratulations Year 12! You have earned it fair and square! Since you have brilliantly shown us by your example, how should teamwork be displayed, you earn a trip to Fiji!”

“Yes!” we all exclaimed, unable to hold our excitement. Not only would we go to the best beaches, but our [my] parents would not be there with me! Camila gave me a big hug and gave a high five to Karlos.

“Fiji here we come!”

“Silence, Year 12s,” the principal said, as the others went back to their seats.

“You will spend the weekend there and by Sunday evening you will be back.”

He continued explaining the dos and don’ts during our trip, then opened up for some questions.

“Yes, Pedro?”

“No offense, principal, but we can go without our parents?”

I hid my smile as I anticipated the principal’s answer. I didn’t realize Karlos was looking at me.

“Staring is rude.”

“...”

“I know you are anticipating the principal’s answer to Pedro’s question.”

I simply kept quiet.

“Am I wrong?”

“Why me? Put yourself there too.”

“Don’t change the subject.”

“I am not changing the subject.”

I was so focused on Karlos’ words that I didn’t hear what the Principal said.

“Thank you, sir,” I heard Pedro say.

I averted my gaze back to Camila. “What did the principal say?”

“He said that we will go there with a teacher, our parents don’t need to come.”

“Yes!” I exclaimed under my breath.

“You are happy getting away from your parents huh?” Camila asked.

“No! Well, something like that,” I replied, giving Camila a small smile.

“Don’t worry Karina, you are not alone on that,” she said, looking at her parents who were seated a few rows of seats apart from us in the sports field. “This opportunity came at the perfect time.”

I nodded as she spoke. Many kids felt the same way as I did - fearful, pressured, as if all eyes were on you.

“Yeah,” I agreed with her.

“The termly competition has concluded! May all grades please return to class at once.”

Our parents applauded for us as we went back to class. The next lesson was History.

“Do we really need to learn about history?” Camila whined, irritated about our next lesson.

“We need to learn about Spain’s history,” I said, trying to keep the conversation positive.

“But it won’t help us in any way though,” she replied. “But I see you have an interest for History.”

“Pretty much,” I replied. “Some things in history tend to get interesting to learn about.”

We got to class, which was loud and buzzing, as they were all still talking about the competition. We got to our seats and sat down. Camila then pulled her table close to mine.

“Can’t deny that,” Camila said. “Yet I pass History with As without studying!”

I laughed as she related to me all her stories of being in the school since Year 10.

“But I wish I was homeschooled,” she said, folding her arms. “How was it?”

“It was great,” I replied, telling her my experience. “I am an introvert, so I loved it.”

“Amazing!” Camila exclaimed as if she was learning something entirely new.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Silence class,” Mrs. Yamira said. “Please return to your seats.”

Everyone fell silent.

“Before we begin, where is Karlos Ramirez?” she asked.

I looked at his empty seat with irritation. We just won a trip and he disappears without warning?!

“I can go get him.”

Daniella Diaz. Daughter of the Diaz Family. They take care of the Aviation in Spain.

Mrs. Yamira listened to Daniella before turning her gaze to me.

“Karina Hernandez.”

“Yes, ma’am?” I replied, standing up.

“You came out with Karlos during the competition. Where is he?”

“I don’t know ma’am - I helped him bandage his wound before returning to the sports ground. Perhaps he is with his par---”

“By yourselves?” she asked. “You both went into the infirmary room by yourselves?”

“Oooh,” the class said.

“Yes ma’am?” I answered hesitantly.

She sighed before gesturing to the door.

“Go find him.”

I looked at my teacher blankly.

“Make sure Karlos gets here. I am giving you 10 minutes to get back here.”

I went out of class, the other students laughed at me. I was annoyed at Karlos and the teacher.

“How would I know where Karlos is?!”I asked myself.

I walked in the hallway, searching left and right for where he might be. I then thought of the infirmary room again, and I quickly ran there.

As I opened the door, I saw Karlos sleeping on one of the beds. His arm covered his forehead as I walked towards him. There was no one else in here. Only us. I looked back at Karlos and gently shook him.

“Karlos,” I whispered.

He did not budge.

“Karlos,” I repeated, my voice very stern and firm.

I then shook him but he gently grabbed a hold of my arms first.

“I am awake, okay?” Karlos said, irritated.

“Well, sorry your sleep had to be interrupted, we are late for class. I understand you sacrificed your knee for the competition but school still goes on.”

“Okay - go take notes for me.”

Rolling my eyes, I pulled him out of the bed.

“Ow!” Karlos grinned in pain.

“Oh! I am so sorry! I wouldn’t have to do this if you just didn’t disappear.”

“You know how hard I struggled to get here? You abandoned me.”

“I promised to take you to the infirmary room. Not become your personal assistant.”

Karlos chuckled when he heard my response. “I did this for the class - can’t I get some leniency at least?”

“Then get someone else to help you.”

“No princess,” he said, wrapping his arm around my shoulder for support.

“I want onlyyourhelp.”

I stared at him, not knowing how to feel - Karlos was getting on my nerves.

“I don’t care how many sweet words you use to coax me - not happening.”

“Man, you are a tough nut to crack.”

“Can we get to class please?” I asked, looking at my watch. “We only have 7 minutes to get to class.”

“Then let’s bunk it.”

I beat him on his chest.

“This is not the time for jokes Karlos! ¿Quieres que nos metamos en problemas con tus padres cuando tus notas bajen?”

Meanwhile, Camila is back in class...

“What is taking those two long to get back?” Ma’am asked.

“Ma’am, I think they decided to bunk the lesson,” Cruz replied, making the class laugh.

“I have a better reason, ma’am.”

With Pedro, I knew more trouble was to come.

“Yes, Pedro?”

“They are confessing to each other ma’am, and Karina is tending to his knee again.”

The class burst out laughing.

“Silence!”

Everyone looked at me.

“Ma’am, how many minutes are left?” I asked.

“5 minutes.”

“They will be here soon.”

“What? Are you a Karina-Karlos defender or something?” Pedro asked.

“...”

“Unless...”

Pedro stood up and came to my desk.

“You secretly ship them?”

“Uh oh,” everyone else said.

“Pedro! Go back to your seat!”

“Sorry Mrs. Yamira.”

--------------------------

“I know it’s hard, but... you are doing great,” I said to Karlos, seeing our class door a few steps ahead.

“Is Princess encouraging me to keep going? Then...”

He removed his arm and walked away, approaching the door. I ran after him.

“Wait - are you telling me you could walk the entire time?”

“No - your words gave me the boost.”

He smirked at me.

We got to the door, and he gestured for me to go through first.

“Princess first.”

“You are going to pay for this Karlos!” I said before opening the door.

Mrs. Yamira and the class caught sight of us.

“Finally.”

“The lovebirds are finally back!” Pedros said, giving the class something to laugh about.

I am built more tough, so it didn’t bother me.

“Tell us, did you tend his wound?” Pedro continued.

“Yes, I did - with happiness.”

Everyone was taken aback by my statement. Everyone else kept their eyes on me as I stared at Pedro.

“He is even walking,” Cruz added, causing everyone’s attention all go to Karlos.

“Thanks to Karina’s good encouragement, I can walk.”

“Woah,” everyone said, clapping hands sarcastically.

“Silence 12A!”

I jumped a little at Mrs. Yamira’s shout.

“Karina, Karlos, please return to your seats.”

I looked at Karlos who walked to his desk with no difficulty, although with a bit of limping. The turn of events felt unreal. To experience it all in one day felt like a nightmare than reality.

“Okay, starting the lesson, we will considerHistoria de España.”

The lesson then started. Mrs. Yamira was enjoying the lesson more than us until the bell rang.

“Since some people took their time to get back to class, the lesson was delayed, therefore, I have to give you guys homework.”

“Argh,” the class said, looking at me.

“How is that my fault Mrs. Yamira?” I asked.

“You delayed the class,” she replied.

“But we paid you to teach us, not to blame your incompetence on students.”

We all looked at the back to see Andres, the opposite of a bad boy-type like Karlos, as he was dressed smartly, yet casually, standing up.

“So, make a plan ma’am - or else we don’t mind firing you.”

Mrs. Yamira gulped. “Don’t worry - no one is blamed, we will consider this further tomorrow.”

She quickly left the class.

I walked up to Andres.

“Hi,” I said.

“Hey, Karina,” Andres said.

“I know you were not defending me, but thank you for your input.”

“Any time,” he said.

I was about to walk out when Karlos took hold of my hand, pulling me closer to his desk.

“You can’t leave me.”

“I thought you said you could walk? Your words.”

“Hey - I am the patient here, I will need help from time to time. Besides, I took that fall for you.”

“If you are gaslighting me, your approach is weak,” I replied. “It is lunch anyway.”

“Gaslighting you?” Karlos asked. “I am way stronger than that.”

“Make it snappy, I want to go get a seat.”

I helped Karlos get up and we made our way to the cafeteria.

“Camila? You waited for me?” I asked.

She stood outside the cafeteria room.

“Yeah! I did not see you... so I thought you were helping Karlos.”

“What was the pause for Camila?” he asked.

“Karlos - por favor.”

“It is okay Karina, I just I realized how much Karlos trusts you more than anyone else in the class.”

Karlos nodded, while I simply listened.

“I know it is none of my business, but... do you two know each other?”