Between Love & Shadows

"I don't know about you, but I'm still angry…" the girl said to her partner, who hissed as if she was giggling.

"Hi-hi-hisss… And I'm still hungry," the enormous snake answered, sticking out her forked tongue, so she could collect the sweet scent of teens in the vicinity.

The glowing, neon red reptile stretched out her elongated body, and directed her fins towards the building's first floor, from where music could be heard. Once she peered inside the apartment, her jaw was big enough to swallow the first three Egos that crossed her path. "But isss it okay to ruin Laura'sss party?"

The girl stuck her short hair behind her right ear, revealing three silver piercings that gleamed thanks to the nearby lamppost, the only source of light in the whole parking lot.

"Yes. Whatever. Devour them all."

"Thisss will make our college life a little awkward, don't you thin? Hi-hi-hisss…"

"I don't care. Not anymore. They wanted to know the real me? Well, here I am."

The girl exhaled deeply, and such a simple task filled her with agony, as if icy shards had entered her lungs. **Everything is painful nowadays. **

She stretched out her hand, and the snake opened her jaw with anticipation.

Ana just had to snap her fingers and…

**This smell…** She stopped. A tobacco pestilence reached her from somewhere nearby. She hated that smell. **It reminds me of Mario…**

She turned around, finding a young man strolling towards her. "I knew there was a known stench in the air," he said aloud, puffing out smoke. Besides him, a 4-feet height wolf snarled as soon as it crossed eyes with her.

His confident attitude and smirk irritated her.

**And worst of all, he's just standing there, as if he's going to stop me.** Ana clenched her fists. **Try it, pal… **

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*** 6 hours ago ***

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Pinpointing the exact moment all went to hell would be a long story—and would have to include an 'Adult's Only' tag—But we can start from here, when a red Toyota entered the college campus.

The driver was reckless, making the car's wheel protest at every turn and provoking a deafening screech sound when she found the perfect spot to park, close to building C. After turning off the engine, she 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:

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++ 'We've been instructed to go to the auditorium, so she should be on her way right now. Good luck.' ++

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A winking emoji followed the message.

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

The frowny young man stared at her 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 formed 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 with 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, it'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 Ana fight back?"

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

"I didn't expect his wife 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." Laura giggled.

"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 said quietly 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 Lo, I don't think it's a good idea. That would be like kicking the hornet's nest..."

"More like a 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's reflection.

**I want to know if you would consider hooking up with someone after what you've done,** Laura thought, holding 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." She smirked proudly. "He's obviously super hot."