Mrs. Ferrer smirked. ‘I guess she has especially selected you to be the target of her pranks.’ She put a hand on the girl’s small shoulder, ushered her toward the kitchen. ‘Come, let’s clean these new bruises. Are you ok?’

‘I’m fine.’ Alba smiled, sat on a chair by the sink, remembered the previous day. ‘You don’t have to worry about me. I’m sturdier than it seems.’

‘Yes, yes. I still recall your bout of strenght when you almost fainted due to bloodloss yesterday.’ The Italian teased as she examined the gashes.

‘That doesn’t count.’ The girl hedged, blushed softly at the memory. ‘I bet I could take you on a fight.’

‘Really?’ The woman laughed whole-heartedly, scrubbed some balm at the cuts. ‘Now that’s something I’d like to see. You’re overestimating yourself.’

‘I’m sure I’d have you down swiftly. You’re underestimating me.’

They talked in rushed, intimate tones, bodies close, heads bent toward each other. One would think they were old friends who had gone through life together. Indeed, it was hard for them to remember that they had just met.

Marina smiled at their closeness, stopped rubbing and yet again scrutinized the wounds. Though it had been barely a day, most of them didn’t need any bandaging; the serious ones were fresh, had been inflicted by Jenny a few minutes ago.

The woman treated those new gashes with impossible care, resisting the teen’s protests about not needing any help and being able to tend to silly things like that.

In the end only three band-aids were necessary, along with the recommendation to not use that hand so often.

‘And that’s exactly the reason why I don’t accept your offer of a wrestle right now.’ The Italian commented as both stood up. ‘I’d be too soft on you and it’d end quickly. With you on the floor, exhausted, of course.’

‘That’s utter B.S. You’re just using this as an excuse.’ The young one walked in circles around Mrs. Ferrer, pace soft and precise. ‘Because, deep down, you’re afraid that I’m stronger than you. You’re afraid of me.’

‘Me?! Afraid of such a brittle, overly brave chica like you?’  Her eyes widened in surprise. ‘If little Jenny was able to subdue you, I won’t break a sweat doing it.’