If You Were Me

3. Elizabeth

CHAPTER 3

ELIZABETH

Natalia Brown had struck again. The entire school was buzzing about it. I’d heard bits and pieces of her escapade over the weekend from several gossip queens. Apparently, Bryce had found his girlfriend in the closet of some low-dive having s*x with a random dude.

Everyone sympathized with Bryce. He was a saint for accepting Natalia after she’d shown her unfaithfulness. I didn’t move in Bryce’s circles, so I couldn’t totally vouch for his character. But anyone who could put up with Natalia Brown earned my pity.

I heard all the dirty details while I got my books for third period.

“She has like fifteen different STDS,” Chloe Myers, the resident gossip spoke to her friend in hushed tones. “With stunts like that, it’s a wonder she doesn’t have AIDS.”

“I know.” Her willing listener, a General Studies major named Lassie (I know right, who named their kid Lassie) explained. “I heard she had two guys in the closet at Gringo’s. Bryce had to fight them both off her. He’s such a stud.”

Their conversation drifted as they closed their lockers and strolled down the hallway together. I returned my attention to gathering my books, only glancing up when I heard their flirtatious giggles. “Hey, Lucas.” They greeted my best friend as they cruised down the hall.

I clutched my social studies textbook and watched Luc approach. He wore his ever-present black and white Vans with a long khaki pants and the school’s blue polo shirt with the logo imprinted on the chest. As always, he looked effortlessly handsome. Lucas exuded a magnetic, awe-inspiring vibe whether he tried to or not.

“Hey, Le Brun.” Luc smiled that half-smile at me. “How was your Sunday?”

“Quiet.” I admitted. “My parents went to mass in the morning but I slept in.”

“I had to work.” Luc frowned. “But I’m glad you got to rest.”

“Yeah.”

Lucas fell silent. I turned around and noticed Natalia sauntering down the hallway like she owned it. Her designer jeans and long, pressed blonde hair added an extra something to the uniform that we all wore. Just like Lucas, she exuded an extra-air of confidence that drew people to her like flies to a lamp. The whispers quieted as she—along with her friends, Tiffany and Cherry—passed. The minute she turned the corner, the low hush of exchanged information rang like bells.

Lucas frowned, working the muscles in his jaw. “I wish everyone would leave her alone.”

Slinging my backpack more securely on my shoulder, I glanced at him. “She asked for this attention, Luc. I wouldn’t be surprised if

Natalia started the rumors herself.”

Lucas shook his head. “I don’t believe that.”

“See what I mean?” I lifted my hands to the air in exasperation. “You’re hopeless.”

He opened his mouth to protest, but I tuned out when my eyes caught on someone walking down the hallway. He was the most handsome guy that I had ever seen, minus Luc of course. Lincoln Friar was a transfer student from Jamaica. His dark skin was a pristine, flawless midnight black. His hair was fashioned into a high top. On any other person, the long stack of hair looked dorky, but Lincoln wore the style with class. He was tall and walked with purpose and grace. He played the guitar, something I’d learned at the school’s assembly six weeks ago. I’d nursed a pathetic crush on him since then.

“You want to talk about ‘hopeless’?” Lucas teased with a smirk.

I broke out of my reverie. “He’s just so cute.” I gushed, lowering my voice as Lincoln passed me by with not so much as a blink.

“He also has no idea that you even exist.” Lucas pointed out.

“He knows I exist.” I defended. “Last week, he told us good morning. Don’t you remember that?” “He was just being polite. And he didn’t speak to you. That was a general greeting to a bunch of us.” “You don’t know that.” I insisted.

Lucas slung his arm over my shoulder and chuckled. “Whatever you say, Lu Brun.” “Hey, guys.” Jennifer popped up.

“Hey, Jen.” Lucas nodded at her. Jennifer had joined our group a few years ago. We’d all been in the environmental club last year.

She’d stuck to Lucas and I and we had claimed her as our own ever since.

“Anybody want to ditch Math with me?” Jen asked, pulling at the hem of her polo. Jen was a pretty Hispanic girl with a shy smile and tiny, Asian eyes.

“I wish I had Math.” Lucas complained. My best friend was a mathematical wizard. He planned on studying engineering after junior college. Lucas was totally capable of accomplishing that goal. “I have English.”

“Sucks.” Jen patted Lucas on the shoulder and glanced up as the bell rang, indicating our last warning for classes. “See you guys

later.”

“Yeah,” I nodded. “I may not survive this next session.”

“Right,” Lucas recalled. “You have class with Natalia right now.”

“Yup. If I don’t make it home today, let my parents know that I love them?” I implored, as I walked backward.

“Got yah.” Lucas tapped his chest and waved at me.

I shuffled toward my class along with the other students and slipped into a seat just in time. Natalia sat in the last row at the back. She held court in her section and, for the most part, she and her friends discussed their own personal party lives during the lesson. Today, the queen was torn from her court and forced to sit beside me so we could begin to work on our project.

Natalia flipped her perfect blonde hair and stared at me with narrowed eyes. “Okay, let’s get this thing over with.” She said in that high-pitched voice of hers.

Wow, what a great attitude. I thought but didn’t say.

“Yeah, let’s.” I didn’t hide the derision in my own voice. If there was any other way, I would not be sitting here beside her.

“So,” She glanced at the paper on the desk and read. “What is your partner’s name?”

I glared at her. “You can’t be serious.”

She blinked her blue eyes, her expression indifferent.

“I’ve been in class with you for years. We went to the same pre-school.” I prodded her memory. “Ms. Danvers called our names when she paired us.”

She shrugged and pouted. “Sorry.”

“You dated my best friend when we were twelve.”

She blinked rapidly. “Right.” She grinned. “So… what’s your name?”

I sighed. This was going to be fun. “My name is Elizabeth Castillo. I’m eighteen years old.” Natalia wrote furiously. “You know our project goes more in depth than names or ages.”

“Probably.” Natalia said with little concern. She pulled her phone out of her purse and started texting beneath the table. “Hey,” I hissed, grabbing her attention. “What are you doing?”

“I’m texting.” She said obviously, tilting the phone toward me.

“I can see that.” I ground my teeth. “Why are you texting now? There are questions I have to ask you.”

Natalia sighed as if I’d asked her to climb Mount Everest and then cartwheel back down. “Alright, Elizabeth was it?” She smiled glibly at me and I resisted the urge to smack her. “Here’s how things are going to go down.” She leaned forward. “I’ve got your name and age.

That’s all I need to get right. We can both make up the rest and get an A. No big deal.”

“That’s not what the assignment is about.” I reminded. No way was I failing this test because Natalia Brown wanted to short the system.

“Elizabeth,” Natalia surveyed her perfectly manicured nails. “You have absolutely nothing to worry about it. You probably don’t want to get to know me as much as I really don’t care about knowing you.”

Harsh.

“I don’t want to argue with you…” I began but Natalia shushed me with a finger to her glossed lips. “I’m good. Are you good?”

“No…”

“Shh,” She winked and pulled out her phone to recommence texting. Obviously, this was as much as she was willing to put into the assignment. I fumed for the rest of the forty-five minutes and vented to Lucas the second we met up after school.

“She was so … prissy!” I raged. “Like she was some kind of queen and I was her peasant.”

“I’m sure she was just teasing you.” Lucas defended her like he always did. If I was Natalia Brown’s peasant, then Lucas was her knight. His case of unrequited love was, frankly, starting to wear on my nerves.

“I’m going to show her how well I take a joke.” I threatened with frustration.

“Ouch.” Lucas winced. “Where’s my sweet, generous friend who always gives people the benefit of the doubt?” “She’s back there cleaning Natalia Brown’s name brand loafers.” I informed him.

Lucas laughed as we walked out of the school building and started strolling down the sidewalk to his house. I usually spent the evenings with Lucas. Our school ended at three which was exactly when the lunch hour ended at the restaurant. Mom and Dad allowed me to get my homework done before pitching in at Tableta’s for the dinner service.

“I’m sure you’ll find a way to get Natalia’s cooperation. You’re Elizabeth Castillo, the most stubborn person that I know.”

“I prefer the term ‘determined’.” I replied seriously. “But you may be on to something. There’s no way Natalia Brown is getting the best of me. We are doing this assignment.”

“That’s my girl.” Lucas nudged me in the shoulder.

The sound of an ice cream truck passing our way pushed thoughts of Natalia to the side.

“Ice cream!” I cried with excitement.

Lucas kindly offered to purchase the cold treat for me. Ice cream was a privilege on hot days like today. Belize’s weather was summer all year round. I loved my island, but the heat could be a little too much to bear. After purchasing our ice creams, Lucas and I strolled to his house a few blocks away from the school. We dutifully worked on homework before my Mom came in the van and picked me up to return to the restaurant.

“Hey, Lucas.” Mom waved when I bounded out of the house and slipped into the truck.

“Hi, Ms. Dina.” Lucas replied.

Mom waited until I was safely in the car and then saluted Lucas as she drove away. “How was school today?” Mom inquired.

“Okay.” I said.

Mom glanced at me in the rear-view mirror. “Really? Just okay?”

I frowned. Mom’s ability was uncanny. No matter what I tried to hide, she could sniff me out with no problem.

“Yeah.” I said slowly. “I’m just having a little trouble with a girl at school.”

“Is she bullying you?” Mom inquired. I was eighteen years old, but Mom still treated me like her baby. I was the youngest of three. Evan Jr. (affectionately dubbed Juney) and Mark were older than me by several years each. Juney still lived on island. He had remained behind to work with Mom and Dad in the kitchen of the restaurant while Mark had migrated to Belize City to become a teacher. I was the only one still living at home. There was no one else around to distract Mom so I had to deal with all of her smothering.

“No, not bullying.” I assured my mother. “She just has an attitude and it’s getting in the way of a group project.”

“Have you spoken to the teacher?” Mom inquired seriously. “If this young lady is playing with your grade, you have the right to tell an adult.”

I would like nothing more than to rat on Natalia, if such a move would do me any good. Her father basically owned the high school.

Telling would only encourage unnecessary drama.

“I can handle.” I assured Mom.

She arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah.” I smiled. “Mom, come on. I’m an adult now. You can’t always jump in and fight my problems for me.”

“I know.” Mom pulled up in front of the restaurant. “But that’s not going to keep me from trying.” I kept quiet as I gathered my backpack and opened the car door. “Oh, Elizabeth.” Mom got my attention. “Before I forget, Mark invited you to the city for the Labor Day weekend.”

“Cool.” I smiled. I loved hanging out with my older brother. He was four years older than me so we were much closer than Evan

Junior who was ten years my senior.

“He’s offered to take you to Agric on Saturday.”

“Oh my gosh!” I smiled wide. The Agricultural Trade Show, or “Agric” to most Belizeans, was the highlight of the year. Thousands of Belizeans migrated to the show grounds created just for the exposition, to watch the rodeo, peruse the stables and enjoy the local entertainment. Hundreds of small businesses set up shop along the grounds and advertised their businesses. Mexican carnival owners positioned their mechanical rides for children and young adults to enjoy. I opened my mouth to ask about Lucas but Mom beat me to it.

“Yes, your brother invited Lucas as well.”

I squealed with excitement. An entire weekend in Belize City at one of Belize’s most exciting events? Heck yeah! Now I just had to get

Natalia on board with the project before I left and everything would be perfect.