The next day, during recess, Raquel asked Erica to talk. They stepped away from the group for a while, and after a few minutes, they returned with slight smiles. We understood they had talked things out, so went on with our daily lives. Erica and Raquel only smiled and spoke softly to each other for the rest of the day, which led me to believe that Raquel had given up trying to find out the truth about the previous day's conversation, and had prioritized Erica's feelings. Such a kind gesture on Raquel's part would have surprised me, but as I had almost told my friends, it was obvious that she liked Erica.

Rumors about Erica grew, people continued to avoid her. I heard that the PE teacher no longer made her participate in football games. Also, once when we had to use the compass for math, the same teacher came up to her and traced the figure in her notebook, as if she would explode on contact with something sharp.

Every time someone in the class had to be in a group with her, they would get nervous and keep as much distance as possible, or they would ask one of us to take their place. I didn't like that they were trying so hard to distance themselves from Erica, but on the other hand, I couldn't blame them for being afraid of her. For her part, she seemed to understand, and stayed calm even though the others rejected her. I guess we were enough for her.

A few weeks went by. We took tests, we went out to tests, to lunch, to the movies, to an amusement park, and to each other's houses. Even Erica invited us to her house one weekend, she and her dad cooked an exquisite lunch. And again, Mr. Sanz's presence alone intimidated me to the bone. I thought it was just me, but chatting later with the others, I realized that he had that effect on everyone, everyone except Erica.

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

One Tuesday like any other, we were at an ordinary recess. People were coming out with coats on, because it was starting to get cold. I went to buy something at the school shop, so I squeezed through the crowd to get to the counter and get the vendor's attention. But before I managed to do so, I heard two girls behind me, chatting.

—Did you hear that Solis is coming back?— one announced.

—Who's that?

—Don't you remember?! The girl who lost her leg!

—Oh, her! When is she coming back?

—Tomorrow.

—What do you want?— the vendor asked me.

I chose something fast, paid and left in a hurry. As soon as I sat down in my gang, Galica jumped on me.

—Did you hear?! Solis is coming back!— she exclaimed.

—Yes, I heard.

We all looked at Erica, who had barely put the bulb of a juice box in her mouth. She looked calm.

—What?— she pleaded.

I didn't know what to answer, I guess I was just waiting for her reaction.

—What are you going to say to her?— Galica asked, curious.

Erica sighed, somewhat troubled.

—I'll apologize, I guess.

We all looked at each other's faces. I think we were expecting a little more anxiety, nervousness, maybe a little panic attack at the thought of meeting the person whose life she had practically ruined. On the other hand, what she was saying was the obvious choice. She couldn't be reprimanded for something like that.

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

The next day, our head teacher came into the room, which was strange, because we didn't have a class with him.

—I have an important announcement to make— he said, although I think we all knew what he was going to explain— As some of you may already know, your classmate Solis has made a successful recovery. At her request, we have kept the day of her return a secret, but that day is today. Please, everyone, give a warm welcome to Solis. Come on in!

The doors were opened by two of our classmates, who were escorting a girl in a wheelchair. Solis slowly rolled into the room, amidst applause and cheers. I didn't catch a glimpse of her, because everyone stood up, but I assumed she was happy.

The teacher tried to calm us down with hand gestures, but one girl left her post to go and hug her. As she had done so, the one next to her followed, and then all the girls went to hug her. The boys began to stand up following the girls' lead, soon the whole class was around her.

I couldn't stay behind, Solis was a good classmate, after all. I stood up among the first boys, made my way through the sea of women and managed to give her a hug and a kiss. I couldn't help but notice a plastered stump where her leg used to be. It was shocking, but I hid those feelings for her sake. There were a lot of people, and we were taking a lot of class time, but I noticed that the teacher was happy too. I figured it wouldn't hurt to take a little time to make her feel welcome.

Finally, her group of friends brought out a huge bouquet of roses, which I don't know where they had hidden, and they all carried it away. The bouquet was so big that Solis could barely see over it, even pressing it against her thigh.

After a while, the biology teacher showed up for class. She took another long time to greet and congratulate Solis, and ended up doing a very short class. Just as well.

I looked at Erica, she remained bored at her post. It seemed very mature of her to wait for the right moment. When it would be, I couldn't say, it was entirely up to her and Solis.

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

As the first recess began, Solis and her friends went their separate ways and left the room. Erica stood up lazily. I motioned for her to follow me and the gang, we she did every day, but she shook her head and motioned for me to wait a while before she went down the hall.

—Is she going with Solis?— Raquel asked.

I turned around, I hadn't seen her approach. Then I looked where she was looking; Solis and her friends were walking down the hallway, all happy. Erica was several meters behind, very slow. It seemed to me that she was making an effort not to hurry.

I really wanted to go and witness the moment when Erica apologized, a little out of curiosity, but also because I wanted to encourage her. However, in the end I thought it wouldn't be very gentle-like of me. I turned to my friends to go and sit under the trees like every day, only they had other plans.

—What are you waiting for, let's go and see?!— exclaimed Galica, as she passed me and took me by the arm.

Pekos and Troveto also started to walk at a fast pace with us. I looked around, suddenly there were a lot of people following Erica, who was following Solis' group. Even Raquel was close behind.

—Ah, fuck it!— I thought.

We all went to see what was going on. Erica caught up with Solis near the crossroads by the grassy field, a huge hallway, high and wide, where the access roads to the exit, the kids' playground, the high school playground and the grassy field intersected. Just a dozen meters to one side was the spot where Solis had lost her leg.

By the time I arrived, almost the entire school was gathered in a large circle. Inside were only Solis, her friends and Erica.

—...I'd like to talk, if you don't mind— I heard. They had already started.

I pushed my way in, Raka crouched down next to me. I noticed Solis, she was smiling naturally, but she remained quiet for a while.

—Let me go, please— she asked her friends.

The girls were not very convinced, but they ended up doing what she wanted. Solis pushed a few turns of her wheels towards Erica, making a great effort with each rotation. You could tell she wasn't used to it yet, that she didn't like it. Then she looked into her eyes. She was smiling, but I noticed her jaw clenching.

—Tell me— she said in a trembling voice— What do you want?

Erica held her arm. She cleared her throat and began to speak.

—I'm sorry...— she began— It was an accident, I should have been more careful.

It was less ceremonious than I had expected, but then I realized that in my mind I had fabricated a very theatrical apology, with tears and Erica crawling on the floor. Of course, those things don't happen.

Solis pulled out her purse. With shaky hands, she rummaged through it. I noticed her breathing became more and more agitated.

—You know, I've given this day some thought. As much as I hate you, my leg isn't coming back— she confessed.

Then she stopped searching and looked at her again. Tears escaped from her eyes, her trembling lips could stand no more, the fake smile broke to give way to a grimace of anguish. She could no longer hide it: she was devastated.

At that moment, I felt I should have seen it coming. It's so obvious when I think back on it.

Erica frowned.

—Is there anything I can do to make up for it?— she asked at last.

Through the tears, Solis smiled and nodded. She wiped her eyes with a sleeve.

—Yes, you could do me a favor— she said.

At that moment she grabbed something in her purse and gripped it tightly. Then she tossed the purse aside, while with her other hand she pointed a black pistol at Erica. They were facing each other, too close to miss. Solis already had her finger on the trigger.

I froze. We all froze.

—DIE!

We barely had a blink of an eye to react. Solis fired.

I didn't see her face, but I remember well Erica's shocked expression. It was a sad surprise. Disappointment, I suppose, with some fear.

The pop of the shot echoed louder than I had expected, it even rumbled in my stomach. People ducked and dropped to the ground, others fled, a few ran toward Solis, Erica screamed. Raquel and I cowered and shielded with our arms. Then I turned to Erica.

She was clutching her leg in pain. Spots of red were appearing on her white sock. Blood began to drip from her shoe.

—Erica!— I shouted.

I didn't know what to do, whether to go to help her, to throw myself at Solis, or to grab Raquel and run. I noticed that several of the guys who had gone to stop Solis were holding back. She was pointing the gun at all of them, shouting.

—Nobody come near me! I'm not finished with that bitch!— I managed to hear.

But then an explosion forced us to turn around again. A cloud of dust had risen above Erica. After a few moments I noticed that a good portion of the tile next to her had been shattered, right where her fist was resting. I understood that she had punched the floor.

Then I saw her face, an expression of visceral rage, like a mythical beast about to attack. I understood that it was a level more dangerous than what I had seen with the thugs. There was no longer any doubt, I had to get out of there, I had to take Raquel and run, but my legs would no longer listen to me, I could only stay where I was and watch.

—Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarghhh! —Erica shouted— YOU BASTAAAAAAAAAAAAARD!

She looked up. Solis was aiming at her again. Erica buried her fingers in the ground and shot herself like a cannonball. She flew so fast I could barely see her. She launched her body straight at Solis, clenched a fist and punched her right in the face. The blow made a roar as loud as the gunshot.

Solis flew away instantly. So fast that I could hardly follow her with my eyes. I heard the whistling of the wind, saw her body pass over some heads, and at the end she crashed into a wall, twenty meters away. Her body exploded. Her bones went flying. Rivulets of blood ran from her eyes and mouth. The wall cracked and formed a small hole from the impact.

I heard screams, saw some people fainting, others running everywhere. I was paralyzed. My world stopped seeming real to me, it was more like I was seeing everything through a screen.

Solis' body detached from the wall and fell heavily from more than two meters high.

Suddenly I felt a squeeze on my arm. I turned around and noticed Raquel. She was holding my arm tightly, terrified. She seemed to be trying to push me aside, but I was so confused I couldn't even think of asking her what she was doing.

—She killed her!— Raquel cried— She killed her with one hit! She's a murderer! Erica killed her!