"Someone spoke to us today, Sissy."spoke Ma.Xosefina. "That guy has such unique eyes, and a very elegant name. Pietro. The Italian version of Pedro. Just like Pietry. If only we could've brought everybody along. I hope Juanita is taking good care of them." She frowned.

"They're fine."Maru told her. "When I left, they were just sad because you weren't there with them. Besides, how long is this going to take. I want to pack my bags and go home as soon as possible."

Ma.Ximena turned to Sissy and answered, "We're already seeing results. Just think about Paulina Rubio's Mio. That must be how Kitty feels now, and just like the song, nothing or no one will separate them. And she probably thought jealousy was just a tale, the problem is, it's hell, and she never dreamed it would happen to her."

"And what do you think she will do about it?"

"Probably say bad things about you. For right now, anyway."

Then, Miss Ororo knocked on the door.

"This isn't the time for visitors. No exceptions. We're in the middle of a very interesting capitulo Mago finally found Mariza, and we can't miss it, come back around eight, whoever you are." Yelled Maruja.

"Ma.Eugenia, your father would like to talk to you."

"Didn't you hear? If he wants he can come here, and say whatever he needs to say, but I can't leave the room. Unless it's fast, and I can make it back before the comericals end."

You should go, communicated Ma.Xiomara. We'll tell you what happens, besides, it shouldn't take too long.

Maru sighed. "Fine, I'll go. But I can't stay very long."

Kitty was waiting in the library with the Prof.

"Yes?"began Maru, checking her watch. "You prevented me from hearing why Mariza's mother abondoned her, to come and listen to you."she told Kitty. "Fascinating, but I think I already know what this is about. If it's about me 'going out' with anyone, I celebrated my fifteenth birthday about two years ago. My godfather, God rest his soul, changed my slippers, as my father couldn't take the time to do it himself, therefore, I can free to see anybody I please. Now I have to go. Good-bye." And she ran out of the room as fast as she could. When she got back, she couldn't pay much attention to what was going on.

"Ya no me siento con animos de ver la novela, Meche. Imaginate."she told Meche, who also accompanied them every evening.

"What happened."asked Ma.Xacinta.

"Nothing, I didn't give anybody a chance to speak. That's a good thing. I don't like to speak to these people. They're so...strange. I want to go home to my own people. That's where I belong. Not here. I know he's my father. Well, I respect him, because he and I are of the same blood. Now I know what people mean when sometimes they say 'mi sangre es mi cruz mas pesada.' Because now mine is, too. I don't like it. Why couldn't my father have been your father?"

"Maru!"explained Ma.Xochilt, shocked. Maru knew it was disrespectful to think that.

"You see, I always knew I wasn't a good person."she said. "Just see those things that sneak into my head. What am I going to do? El Padre Juan will be very upset when he hears this. He also wont' be happy that I haven't been to church in such a long time."

"That's not a problem. People here don't go to church. Arthur himself told me so. He says he doesn't know anybody who goes to church. And he knows quite a few people, mind you. Besides, it is his fault you are cursed. You know we are, too, but well, at least our parents always admitted it was their fault. At least Father always did."

"Keep your voice down."said Maru, looking nervously at the door. "You never know who could be on the other side, listening, because I wouldn't be surprised if someone is. Especially that Kurt. Seems to think everything is a joke. The fool."she shook her head.

"On a happier note, I think we just found another use for the act. I think I know how to get things going faster. You see, we'll see who will get Pietro to go out with me first. You or Kitty."

"Oh, and how will that work."

"You'll see."

"You are not here to socialize."Sissy spat. "Once we get everything done. We are going back to San Pedro. You have no idea how much I miss the weather! My fur isn't looking at its best. It's so dry. Not to mention that my undercoat is getting thicker. It's so cold. I am cold, mind you. I miss the heat, the wind, the storms, the sun, the ocean, the mountains, the trees, the lizards, the insects, the jungle, the rats, well, everything. Here life is so dull. There's nothing to do or chase."

"And then, will you believe, she just ran out, just like that."Kitty was telling Ma.Xancinta the next day.

"Yes, I believe it."she answered. "Though I don't know why you're interested in Maru going out with Lance. You see, if I remember correctly, he is nothing but a jerk."

"Well, that's why, because he's a jerk. And she can't go out with him, for her own good."

"Oh, don't worry about Maru. She won't get into any trouble. Gatica, that girl is practically a nun! The only thing she needs is to dress like one. That's her greatest distress. That she doesn't have a religious 'vocacion' to become one. That's the only reason she isn't in a convent right now. Because believe me, she wouldn't hesitate to go into the convent. Besides, she just likes to hear him talk. And she just likes to talk to him talk about himself. Everybody likes to talk about themselves, you know. Not to mention the fact that she's never called him a jerk."

"Well, why doesn't she go into a convent. She should."

"But that would break her daddy's heart, now, wouldn't it. He's not Catholic, after all. How selfish of you, Gatica. He helps you, and you repay him by convincing his daughter to become a nun. Besides, it wouldn't be hard to split them up. You just have to do me a favor. You have to help me get Pietro. And I'll help you with Lance."

"I don't want Lance."

"Then I guess I'm on my own. Just admit it. You're jealous, I, my sisters, and Maru, too, suffer from that, so we know they 'symptoms' very well."

"Fine, suppose I am, but how can you help me?"

"You seem to forget that me and my sisters are the only people Maru speaks to at the Institute. And Meche. But don't even try to get something out of her, because she won't tell you anything, even if she understood English. And Maru knows Lance, so she can give us quite a bit of info, you know, maybe his likes, dislikes, so forth. You'd have a headstart that way."

"You would actually do that?"

"Yes, just one question. How come you hated him, but suddenly someone else comes along, and you like him?"

"Fine, then. We have a deal."

The next day at school, they spoke to Lance.

"So, you see, you just have to speak to your friend and tell him that I will only go out with him, the day you go out with Kitty. That way, more people are working toward a common goal. I like that. A common goal. Not that I'm actually interested in him. Just that it would be an advantage, you see."

"I don't know if he will be willing to."

"Oh, he will. Trust us."

"Okay.

Ya no me siento con animos de ver la novela, Meche. Imaginate

I don't feel like watching the novella anymore, Meche. Imagine that.

mi sangre es mi cruz mas pesada

my blood is my heaviest cross