Natalia Takes the Lead

Chapter Eight

Natalia, Zoe, and their dad are sitting in the stands cheering on Emma at her big game. Their father is a huge fan of soccer, or fútbol as he calls it, but neither Natalia nor Zoe care so much about the game. As they do about cheering on Emma.

Thanks to Emma’s great plays, they win the game. After, when Emma asks them what their favorite part was, there’s a moment of silence, followed by Natalia responding when Emma kicked the ball. Emma chuckles, and tells them she’s going to go change, and then meet them at Seaview House. They’ve got dogs to walk!

Again, Ruby is aggressive towards Daisy and Jasper. They decide to leave Ruby behind at the house while they walk the other three dogs, and then Emma promises to take Ruby out quickly that evening. This is probably good, since Natalia has another two math assignments to catch up on, as well as her other classes.

The girls take the dogs down to the beach. They play fetch with Jasper and Daisy, and Bandit rolls around lazily on his back. Everything is going well until Natalia notices Zoe giving her a weird look.

Natalia asks Zoe what’s up, and she asks back what Natalia is planning to do when she gets home. Natalia shrugs and says maybe some food, some TV, a little homework. Zoe thoughtfully responds “Hmm.” Apparently Zoe caught on that Natalia had been skipping her homework, and needed help with the dogs and the audition and was too stubborn to ask for help.

Natalia is hurt. She feels like Zoe doesn’t trust her or believe in her. Zoe is upset that Natalia didn’t bother to admit when she needed help. They start yelling at each other. Finally, Emma screams at them to stop. All three dogs and Emma are staring at them. Natalia, hurt from the argument, walks away alone. Fine, if they don’t think she can do it herself, then she won’t ask them for help ever again.