[center][b][u]Carmen[/u][/b][/center]

Carmen happily accepted Lily's arm intertwined with hers, variously letting Lily lead and leading herself. She was having a wonderful time, and could tell that Lily was too. They were off to a great start. Now...for that impression thing.

She smiled back at Lily's question [b]"What's going on? Do you know?"[/b]

[b]"Shall we find out?"[/b] she answered, leading Lily towards Maria where everyone else seemed to be gathering. Maria [i]was[/i] the principal, after all. And, she called the meeting...after all. Strolling up to the area with Lily in hand, she stopped and looked around at everyone, grinning, before taking an empty spot next to - who else? - Crash, gesturing to Lily to sit next to her with a smile. Noticing Kathy next to him (predictably), she turned her head and spoke, making sure to lean back to keep Lily "in frame".

[b]"Well, if it isn't my two favorite musketeers,"[/b] she said with a playful smile. [b]"What have you two been up to, eh?"[/b] she asked as she nudged Crash's arm. [b]"Don't worry, it's nothing [u][i]I[/i][/u] need to know."[/b] With a wink and a whipping back of her head and thus hair, she concluded her tease. [b]"Anyway, have you two met Lily? You're [i]really[/i] missing out if you haven't. She's [i]wonderful[/i],"[/b] she said, looking back over at Lily with a smile. She stood up and sat on the other side of Lily, gently nudging her to sit closer to Crash and Kathy.

With the expansion of Lily's social horizons assured, Carmen turned to face the principal in front of her. She'd never really talked to Maria before, but that didn't deterred her.

[b]"Pardon me, Mrs. Cross,"[/b] she said, more formally than usual. [b]"Would you mind explaining what's going on to me briefly? My accomplice and I[/b] [gesturing to Lily] [b]arrived a little late, you see. But [i]fashionably[/i] late, of course,"[/b] she said, flaunting her dress a little. [b]"[i]Surely[/i] you understand."[/b]