Chapter 13: Chapter 13

Maria Eduarda

Two years ago

I can't believe that my birthday has finally arrived. Today I am turning 18, and thank God I came of age. And here I am, getting ready to go to school. I can't wait to finish high school.

I comb my long red hair and apply a light coat of makeup to my face. I have always been vain and I like the way I dress. I like to attract attention like every teenager. I know that I am beautiful and I am always attracting looks.

- Wow, Duda, how beautiful you look! - my sister says, and I look at her, who was standing in the doorway.

- They are your eyes! - I joke.

- So, how are you feeling, being 18 now?

- Honestly, I feel great, I know it sounds strange, but it feels like I've won my freedom.

- You make it sound as if I were putting you in a cell! - Vane sneers, and I laugh.

- That's not it, Vane.

- I know what you are trying to say.

- And you, have you been through this?

- Oh, yes! Mom and Dad thought it was funny too when I told them I was now free to do whatever I wanted," she says with a sad smile that infects me.

Our parents died when I was a child, and Vane became my guardian. Our luck is that our parents left us money and we didn't have to worry all our lives.

- You still miss them, don't you?

- Yes, and do you?

- Always - I confess.

- Well, enough sadness now - she takes out a bag that was hidden. I hadn't even realized.

- For me? - I ask, all happy.

- Yes, today is your birthday, my sister! - she gives me a hug. - Our parents would have been proud to see how beautiful and healthy you have grown.

- I miss them, Vane! - I feel the tears fall.

- I know, my sister, I know! - she strokes my cheek.

- Vane, they died too young.

- Yes," she wipes my tears, and I dry hers too.

- Well, let's change the subject!

- Yes, don't you want to know what you won?

- Of course I do! - she hands me the bag. When I open it, I am surprised.

- Maybe you didn't know, but every woman in our family keeps a diary. And Mom asked me to give you one on your eighteenth birthday if she were no longer here.

- Oh, Vane, I can't believe it, he's beautiful! - I say, sincerely. I never knew that all the women in the family kept a diary.

- Yes, he does! And now it's yours, Duda! - I hug her again.

- Today I'm going to start writing in it!

- How nice! Now, tell me what are you going to do today, on your birthday?

- Well, since I am of age, I am going to a party! And of course you are going with me!

- Duda, I just ask you to be careful, OK? - I nod, and she continues, "You are of age now, and it is not good to have a sister always by your side.

- Jesus, Vane! - I exclaim, looking at her shocked. - You are young and you have to go out.

- Duda, young lady, this is what we'll do: How about we go to dinner at the restaurant of your choice and after that you go to your club and I come back here, take a nice bath with a good glass of wine?

- Girl, you must go to the club with me! - I insist.

- No, Duda, I need to rest, and another thing: my work has been stressing me out a bit.

- I told you to get out of there!

- And you, young lady, it is time to go to school!

- But, Vane, I can't stand it anymore," I grumble.

- Duda, enjoy it, it's your last year!

- I know.

- So, what's bothering you?

- Honestly, I don't know. I want to finish my studies and take some time off.

- Duda, remember that I let you stay a few months without studying and only then you will go to college?

- I know, Vane. I have already decided that I am going to take Business Administration, and maybe one day we will start a business," I joke.

- And you don't want to work in a company, do you?

- God forbid!

- Now, come on, I'll take you to school and then I'll go to work.

- Alright! Let's go! - I end up giving in. I put my present on top of my little table, get my things and leave right behind Vanessa.

When Vane drops me off at school, I say goodbye to her and head for the classroom; as usual, there were already idiotic people in the classroom. The kids were such idiots and the girls only thought about boys.

- Well, well, if it isn't the hot Maria Eduarda - I hear the annoying voice of none other than Pedro, the asshole. Ever since he joined the school he has been tormenting me.

- Don't bother me, Pedro! - I answer without even looking at him. He is always bothering me, saying that I am hot. And of one thing I am sure: he says this just to make fun of me. The only thing I feel for him is disgust.

- Gee, I'm full of shit today! - he says, ironically. I honestly don't understand him at all. The guy is a complete asshole who only knows how to make my life hell.

- Pedro, you're not a good head case, are you?

- Oh, yes, I'm a head case, and I mean both! - he winks, and I look at him in disgust.

I leave him there talking to himself. I can't wait to go to the club and celebrate my birthday.

Soon some colleagues come up to me, wishing me a happy birthday and asking where I am going to celebrate.

- I want to go to the new nightclub that just opened, Devassa.

- Obaaa, I'm going too, and we can already celebrate your birthday, what do you think? - asks Adriana.

- Sure, it's a date! - I close our meeting with the girls. I feel like I'm being watched, and when I turn around I see that Pedro is looking at me. I don't like his gaze very much.

A few hours later...