Héctor can't believe what he's hearing. He stares at Ernesto nervously.

"You're sure? Imelda was messing with me?"

Ernesto nods. "I know a trick like that when I see one."

Héctor looks at the ground. He's been made a fool of. But he thought that Imelda really wanted to be his best amigo. His second best amigo, he corrects.

Apparently, that is not how it really is.

Suddenly, Héctor feels angry. He thinks of all the times twisted things up. Stealing his guitar when they first met. Beating Ernesto almost to death. Still refusing to get along with Ernesto.

She doesn't like me.

Héctor doesn't know what propells him, but soon, he's running away. He hears Ernesto call his name, but he doesn't look back. He feels numb as he runs, not noticing anythig around him, blocking out all noises accept for his heavy breathing.

At first when she's knocked over, she's annoyed.

Of course I can't enjoy myself today, she thinks as she struggles to stand.

She's about to charge at the person who made her fall, but when she sees Héctor, eyes closed with a stunned expression, lying on the ground as well, she inwardly smirks.

How ironic is this? Can't stop knocking into things, can you?

Imelda finally gets herself uprightand smiles down at him, holding out her hand. Héctor takes it without looking at her. He seems tense about something.

Imelda tilts her head. "What's wrong?"

Héctor's face is bright red. "Nothing." He still doesn't meet her eyes. His eyes are narrowed. When he lets go of her hand, he squeezes his own hand into a fist.

Imelda crosses her arms. "Héctor, I know something's wrong. I know you very well."

He seems to deflate as he turns to look at her. But when they make eye contact, he squares his shoulders and gives her a hard look.

He sighs. "I told Ernesto that you were performing with us."

Imelda nods. "Good. How did he react?"

"He didn't take it well, but I didn't back down." Héctor's tone is clipped.

Imelda smiles. "So we can perform together?"

"Sí. I even came up with a new song for the perfomance." He doesn't return her grin.

Her smile fades. "You don't sound happy about it," she tells him.

Héctor doesn't say anything. He just stares her down, a strange rage in his usually happy eyes.

"You don't like me."

Imelda startles. She stares at him. "What? Who told you that?"

Héctor waves off her question. "Doesn't matter. I know it's true."

"Who told you?" she repeats, crossing her arms. "Was it your 'Superhero'?"

Héctor nods. "He's right."

"No, he's lying. Héctor, I love being around you." Imelda can't believe he actually thinks this.

"But you don't like me. Not really. You hate me and my Ernesto." Héctor's eyes are wide with defiance.

Imelda snorts. "Your Ernesto? Wow, that's delusional."

Héctor's voice get louder as he speaks, ignoring her quip. "He's right," he repeats. "You wanna know why I think so? For one thing, you beat him up when you promised you'd try to get along with him." His voice is growing shrill. People around them stop and gawk at them.

Imelda rolls her eyes. "I said I'd try. I never said anything about following through."

Héctor stares at her. "But did you really mean it?"

"Of course I did." Imelda steps closer. "I would do anything for you. The reason I made that promise was for you."

"But you broke it," Héctor shouts, his voice starting to tremble. He points to the scars on his face and neck. "See this? Ernesto attacked me, Imelda. He's never done that before. He's messed up now because of you."

Imelda gives him a glare. "Don't blame me for this. He's just as responsible for that as I am."

"No he isn't!" Héctor shrieks. "He never does anything to you and you just throw yourself at him."

"Oh, please." Imelda points at him. "You wouldn't be saying that if you saw what really went down in some of our arguments."

Héctor heaves a breath. "It's because of you," he whispers.

"You know what? You believe anything." The accusation is out of Imelda's mouth before she can stop it. "It's okay not to listen to your best friend. He lies sometimes, just like me, you, and everyone else in this world."

She leans in, lowering her voice. "I love you, Héctor. Ernesto is wrong. He's trying to separate us. I would do anything for you. You're my best friend, even if I'm not yours." She steps back and says, "Stop giving into Ernesto's words. Not eveything he says is true."

"I never said I always believe him." Héctor glares at her. "I just know he's telling the truth sometimes. I hear it words. His voice. And even if he's lying, admitting it to him would only make things worse."

"What do mean?"

For the second time since they started talking, Héctor deflates. His shoulders slump, his face falls, and his eyes drop to the ground. He looks like he's going to throw up.

Imelda's heart races a little. "Héctor?"

"I hate upsetting him," Héctor explains. "And it's a lot easier to, now. I have to be careful. Seeing him mad just... bothers me."

Héctor cringes. "I hate the person I'm turning into. I keep secrets from him, I keep hesitating before I talk. It's not me. And Ernesto's temper... that's not him, either. I'm different now, and I can't stand it."

Imelda stays silent for a second, taking in the look on Héctor's face. His skin is pale and his mouth screwed shut. His eyes are glassy.

Impulsively, she leans in and pulls him into a quick kiss. Héctor breaks away from her and widens his eyes.

Imelda squeezes his hand and grins. "Is that enough proof that I like you?" she asks.

He shrugs and half smiles. "I guess."

Imelda grabs his shoulders. "I'm not kidding, Héctor. I love you, you hear me?"

Héctor nods slowly. "Okay. I guess I trust you."

Imelda looks to where Héctor's guitar is.

She smiles at him again. "Didn't you say you have a new song figured out?"

Héctor shrugs. "No lyrics yet."

"Why don't I try to help you?"

He widens his eyes. "You know how to write music?"

"I can try. And two is better than one, right?"

Héctor laughs. "Alright. The concert is in three weeks, by the way."

Imelda puts an arm around him. "Perfect! Plenty of time. Come on. We'll see if we can figure this out together. And if Ernesto shows up, just pretend you don't even notice."

"Easier said than done," Héctor mutters as they walk over to his guitar.