So the three of us went to her house. It was a fairly large house, with a room dedicated to music; with several instruments, a small stage and a couple of old armchairs where people could sit and listen. Galica was very talkative, although she only talked about occurrences that had happened to us in the past, or had happened at school, but did not include Erica. I didn't remember her being so ruthless.

Of course, I was doing my best to include the new one, but it was a difficult task when the other person was trying to sabotage me. On her own, I'm not sure how much this affected her. Erica seemed bored, having little to interact with us. Fortunately, as soon as we got to the house she started touring it and contemplating the guitars, basses, drums, trumpets and the rest of the instruments, as if it were a museum. Finally, something she could entertain herself with.

Not long after, Galica's band showed up. They lived nearby, so it was relatively easy for them to get together to practice. I introduced them to Erica, although they seemed even less interested in her than Galica, those antisocial bastards.

But it didn't take them long to get up on stage and start tuning their instruments. In a few minutes they were ready.

The drummer counted four seconds with his baton and they began to play. Their style of music was too experimental for my liking, so I was bored. I wondered if Erica would be used to such a concert. I turned to see her, found her attentive, her eyes wide open.

And they played two songs for an hour and a half. Why are you doing this to me, Galica?

We ended up exhausted, and I say we because I mean Erica and me. The musicians looked happy and satisfied, I just wanted to stretch my legs and leave. Why do they assume that the rest of us want to listen to them? I will never understand artists.

Anyway, in the end Galica's friends left, they said they had to study or something. I was about to leave with Erica too, but then I went to get my backpack and noticed she wasn't with me. I turned around, I noticed she was looking curiously at Galica's accordion.

Then the Flea herself came in, after seeing her friends off at the door, and stared at Erica. I think she was about to exclaim something, because her face lit up and she opened her mouth to say something loud. My muscles tensed, I prepared to separate them from a fight that was coming. But then Galica stopped.

She walked calmly toward Erica and peered into her face. Erica looked up. From the angle she was at, I couldn't see her.

—You played great!— Erica exclaimed— You're amazing, Galica!

The Flea blinked a couple of times. She wasn't smiling, but she was clearly pleased.

—Ah, thank you.

—How long did it take you to learn to play?

Galica placed both hands on her hips.

—Not that I've been very consistent, and I'm still learning every day, but... at seven I started playing piano. I guess from there.

—Huh? Really? Wow, I'd love to be able to play an instrument.

Then Galica frowned, but not in a frustrated way like the previous times, more like disgruntled.

—I hate it when people say that— she pleaded.

—Huh?

—Have you ever tried it?

—Emh... no, I don't think so— Erica admitted.

—Then come on, I'll show you.

—Eh?!

But Galica was already taking her by the hand to lead her to the piano, in a corner of the music room. It was funny to see Galica, such a short girl, leading the tall and super-strong Erica so smoothly. Without opposition, she dragged her to the electronic piano chair, turned it on and took her hands to put them on the keys.

I decided not to leave for the moment. I went over and sat on one of the arms of the armchair to watch them in silence. Galica would teach her something and make her repeat it several times to get used to it. Then she would correct every mistake she made, sometimes even taking her hands again to put them back where they should be. I noticed that Erica was red, although I didn't know if it was from embarrassment or she just didn't want Galica to teach her anything and didn't have the courage to tell her.

They stayed like that for about twenty minutes, until Erica could play the general chords of an easy tune.

—Oooooooh! It can't be!— she cried, after getting it right for the first time— Galica, you taught me how to play the piano!

—Take it easy, Bach, it's just a simple melody— she told her— but if you keep practicing, you'll only get better.

That was all very nice, but it was late and the three of us were tired. We quickly grabbed our backpacks and headed for the entrance, where Erica took his hand affectionately.

—Thank you, Galica, you're the best!— she exclaimed.

Galica stared at her for a long time, expressionless. Then she finally smiled at her.

—You're not bad yourself, Erica.

Finally we said goodbye and left.

It was getting dark, it was already late. As we walked down the street with the headlights on, I noticed Erica.

—Tell me the truth, did it bother you that Galica taught you piano at the end?— I asked her.

—What? Not at all!— she assured— Galica is so cute! I can't believe she took the time to teach me!

I was relieved to hear her say that. At least she hadn't suffered through that last part.

—It's amazing that she has a band and plays so many instruments. I... I wish I was more like her.

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The strongest girl in the world envied a girl with a neighborhood band.

—You could be an Olympic medalist, you know? I bet you could compete your whole life and keep winning gold medals. They'd even have to make a new category just for you.

—That would only bring problems— she said— besides, Galica practices every day. That's admirable.

—So, are you going to continue playing piano?— I asked.

She pursed her lips.

—I find it difficult— she admitted.

—Why?

—It's... complicated. We move a lot, my dad and me. Transporting a piano would be a big effort. Maybe... maybe later, when I finish school.

—Ah.

She looked uncomfortable, so I didn't ask any more. Thinking of another topic, I remembered that she had turned red while Galica was teaching her to play.

—By the way, you looked uncomfortable while playing the piano— I observed— What happened to you? Were you nervous?

She looked at me puzzled.

—You.. you noticed?!— she asked in a shy tone.

—Ah? Were you really nervous?

She looked down, then stopped. I realized that I had stepped on more delicate ground than I expected, but I didn't know why.

—The truth...— she mused— The truth is, I'm not used to people getting so close to me.

At first I didn't understand. I contemplated the possibility that she meant "spiritually close", or the fact that Galica had taken the time to teach her. I felt a little offended, I had spent much more time with her and she didn't seem so pleased with me.

But then Erica made a gesture I hadn't expected. She put both hands in front of her chest and moved them back and forth. It took me a few seconds to realize that she was talking about breasts... about Galica's breasts.

—You're talking about her... her...

—Her boobs!— she exclaimed— I had her boobs stuck to my back! How can I not be nervous about that?!

—What? But you're a woman too, why does that make you nervous?

But then I froze. I opened my eyes wide with the realization.

—You're a lesbian?!— I exclaimed.

I couldn't believe it, Erica was a lesbian. All my efforts, all my attempts to get closer had been in vain. I put my hands to my head.

—I'm a fool! How could I have missed it!— I thought.

—No, I'm not a lesbian!— she corrected.

Those words alone relieved me so much that I think my reaction came out a little over the top, but I immediately stood up straight and cleared my throat.

—So you're bi?

But Erica shrugged.

—I don't know, maybe?

—But do you like men?

—YES!— she exclaimed, louder than I had expected.

I noticed she had turned red again. I was red too. We were both a little nervous and embarrassed.

—Ex...excuse me, these subjects can be delicate.

—It's okay— she said— What about you? Do you like girls?

—One hundred percent— I replied.

She looked relieved. I put a hand to my head. I was embarrassed of where we had come to.

—Shall we go?— I proposed.

I could say nothing more. She nodded her head in agreement, and we left in silence.

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

Troveto's prize

—Hey, Troveto, when are you going to collect your prize?— I asked him.

—Huh? Do I have a prize?— he wondered.

I put a hand to my forehead.

—Of course you do! Don't you remember last week?! The food festival? We raced to the park and you beat us.

Troveto laughed.

—Yes, it's true. I beat you, didn't I?

Erica came up to us.

—What are you going to do?

—Please don't teach us how to skateboard or anything like that— I pleaded.

—No, man, I would never force anyone to do that— he asserted— besides, I wouldn't want my skate to break because some newbie uses it.

It made sense. I looked at him, expectantly. Troveto pondered for a moment before coming up with an idea.

—I know! I was just looking for someone to help me with...— he looked at Erica —You'll be perfect.

—Huh?

—Come with me after school to the mall.

That surprised me.

—Wait, just Erica?— I wondered— You can ask the whole group for something.

Troveto put an arm around Erica's shoulders and gave me a mocking look.

—Ah, but I only need Erica. You wanna come, girl?

I noticed that Erica was turning red. Damn, Erica, you're cute for being so shy, but you can't be like that with just anyone. Irritated, I looked at Troveto. He wasn't a self-centered gorilla like Pekos, he tended to be in his own cloud, but he could be more perceptive than others gave him credit for. I wondered if he was teasing me or declaring war.

—And what do you need her for?— I wanted to know, trying not to look too worried.

—Ah, nothing important, I just need her to assist me— he answered, playing it down.

I didn't like his tone or his way of not answering. It was the same situation as with Pekos, he wanted to take her somewhere to impress her or something like that. I had to butt in.

—Wouldn't it be better if we all went?

—No, I need to concentrate— Troveto cut me off, too serious to let me in on his plans with jokes and fake laughter.

—Oh, come on, don't be like that— I tried to tease him— I'm curious, I also want to go and see.

—No— he answered.

I froze. What could I do in front of a wall like that? I looked at Erica, trying to look for help. If I could convince her that she wanted more people to go, I would have defeated Troveto.

—Hey, Erica, you don't want to be bored alone with Troveto, do you?

—She won't have time to be bored— he assured her before she could speak— I'll keep her busy the entire time.

I didn't like the sound of that, I definitely didn't like it.

—Ah, that's fine— she agreed.

I pursed my lips, defeated. Troveto had blocked all my attacks and had achieved victory. There was nothing I could do now to stop their date, rules were rules and Erica looked more than willing to go, but what would Troveto have planned? Not knowing was making me nervous.

For the rest of the day I couldn't help but think about what Troveto wanted to do with Erica; why did he only need her. I thought about various possibilities, but nothing came to mind, nothing but the obvious.

—They're going to have sex!— I thought— They're going to do it for hours until it gets dark, Troveto is going to take Erica away from me!

It made me angry to think about it, I wanted to avoid it, but I couldn't find a way to stop them that looked natural.

Finally we got out of class. They both left for the bus stop. I stopped for a moment in front of the school entrance, looking at them. I pondered.

No, I couldn't leave them. I was too angry to just let Erica go with someone else.

—I saw her first— I said to myself, furious.

So I did something I never thought I would do: I followed them.