Chapter Three: Right and Wrong, Part Two

Upon our arrival in Spain, we took the time to set up our rooms in the hotel, and do a little beyblade practice before heading out to see the sights.

Barthez, as usual, had left us to go to some formal meeting, something fancy that didn't concern us. We didn't care too much, we all had our own plans for the day.

At least, some of us did. My plan consisted of wandering around aimlessly until time for the team meeting, which was a bit later.

Around the stadium where the Beybattles would be held, was every fan in the country, it seemed, and every vendor—selling every beyblade-related item they had. I saw several shirts with my face on them, and even a few boys dressed as me. I walked slowly, only increasing my pace when I heard the cry of a love-struck fangirl: "Oh, it's Miguel!"

I didn't feel like dealing with anybody right now. So I just kept on walking.

My feet lead me to another area, away from the bustle going on by the stadium.

This place was quiet, just a bridge over some calm water and… Mathilda.

She was holding Pierce Hedgehog tightly in her hand, looking much like she was about to cry. I knew why.

She spotted me then, turning and giving a weak smile. "Hey Miguel."

I waved. "Hey Mathilda. Ready for your battle today?" I asked, knowing full well that she was not.

She practically broke down. "How can Barthez want me to do such a thing? Pierce Hedgehog means the world to me, and he wants to put it in danger!"

"I understand Mathilda, but…"

"No you don't!" she snapped. "You'd jump off a cliff if Barthez said to! You don't understand how it feels to not want to obey. After all, you're having sex with him!"

That hit pretty hard. I knew that yes, what Mathilda said was true, but… that didn't mean I would follow his every order… Did it?

"You cheat at beybattling all the time by his orders, Miguel, and I never see it affect you! Don't you care that our team is a fraud? Aren't you ashamed?"

"I am, Mathilda. But what can I do?"

"You know what you can do, Miguel."

I stood in silence, and Mathilda went back to staring sadly at Pierce Hedgehog. I knew that she was right.

"Oh no!" Mathilda cried, all of a sudden looking very worried.

It hit me like a brick to the face. "The team meeting!"

We both began to scramble back to the hotel, putting our conversation on hold for the moment.

The water that flowed down my face was just as symbolic as it was embarrassing, the unshed tears from the agony of living this false life running down to soak into the collar of my shirt.

A seething Barthez held the empty glass, spitting anger my way for daring to be late to his team meeting.

"God damn it Miguel!" he shouted, slamming the glass down on the table. "I will not accept this behavior from you! You knew we had a meeting!"

Mathilda tried her best to ease my pain, but I would not let her. "Mister Barthez, no! I caused him to be—" I cut her off with a wave of my arm.

"No, Mathilda. It's my fault alone. I'm team captain and I'm responsible."

Barthez narrowed his eyes. "This won't go unpunished Miguel. You'll spend an extra hour in the practice room after the others have finished."

"Yes sir," I replied, not wanting to anger him any further.

"Now before I dismiss you to practices, line up!"

The four of us quickly lined up against the wall, awaiting our orders like perfect soldiers.

But as Barthez barked out his commands, I could barely listen, preoccupied with the thoughts from my conversation with Mathilda.

Was any of this right? Should I do something about it?

These questions raced though my mind, even as Barthez finished speaking and we marched off to the practice room.