Say I love you

19

Today is Saturday, and my mother isn't back from her trip yet. This situation gives me the freedom to do whatever I want in her absence. Part of me feels satisfaction at the idea of her not being here. I know for a fact that she would never have accepted my going to Bradley's family cottage, especially in his company. Even though she doesn't know him personally, she knows about the parties he throws in her parents' absence. What revolts her most are the many young girls he invites to his house and who end up in his bed.I still remember the day she confided in me that she wouldn't be surprised if Bradley caught a sexually transmitted disease. It just goes to show how much she doesn't like him.I meticulously pack the last of my belongings into my backpack, making sure that everything finds its place before I carelessly throw it over my shoulder. In an almost automatic movement, I leave my room, leaving behind a relative mess that contrasts with the rigor of my bag, now ready for adventure. When I reach the first floor, a peculiar tableau presents itself to my eyes: my friends are there, frozen in an attitude of expectation, each sporting a backpack laden with their personal belongings."At last, you've finished," exclaims Sarah with a mixture of relief and teasing in her voice. A slight chuckle escapes me at their scowls, knowing full well that I was the one who invited them, but they're the ones who find themselves having to wait for me."Sorry, I completely forgot my toothbrush," I apologize, suddenly realizing my oversight. Anna, with her usual exaggeration, rolls her eyes and gives me a reproachful look."This time, don't you dare pretend to have forgotten anything, because I swear on our friendship, you're in for one hell of a scolding", she warns me in a tone that's both stern and knowing, but marked by an undeniable complicity.I give her an apologetic smile, knowing of course that her threat is just a bluff. True to form, Stacy remains silent, content to watch them scold me. We eventually leave my house. Several cars are parked in front of Bradley's house. I see him behind the wheel of his gleaming black Ferrari. Beside him, Aubrey sits with one leg casually resting on her lap. I find it hard to believe they're really friends, because let's face it, this Afro-Asian is hot. Her slanted eyes and full lips give her a certain charm, not to mention her pointy nose. Her skin is devoid of imperfections. I know because I follow her on i********:, and I've even seen her in a bikini before, at the beach.My eyebrows furrow as my gaze settles for the umpteenth time on her bare leg, resting on Bradley's lap. I'm a girl, and I'm 100% heterosexual, but I could get a hard-on just looking at her thighs. Okay, that's an exaggeration, but I'm jealous of her slender legs, devoid of any imperfections. I can't imagine how Bradley feels right now.- Kimberly? Are you even listening to me?I look away from them and back at Anna, who's handing me my phone, which I'd asked her to grab for me. It's ringing, and the name under which I've registered my mother appears on the screen.- Hello? I articulated after grabbing the phone and picking it up, "Yes, I'm home... It's Pricilla who's on call today.- Okay, I'll call you if there's a problem.The sound of my mother's familiar voice still echoes in my head as I hang up. I turn to face Stacy, curious as to what my mother wanted.- She wanted to know if it was me or Pricilla running the store.Stacy arched an eyebrow, showing her interest in the conversation. It was always nice to share these little everyday moments with her. However, it was Sarah who, with a hint of admiration in her voice, took the floor.- Ha, I envy you Kimberly," Sarah chuckled admiringly, "you work every weekend in your mother's boutique, selling her designer clothes, and at the end of the month you get paid a huge salary. You go to one of the best schools in New York, you live in a very large loft and... your father is the head of the biggest company in the United States, isn't life great?I roll my eyes exaggeratedly, expressing my exasperation at the situation. Sarah, far from being poor, evolves in an environment where the financial stability of her parents is undeniable. Despite this, she seems to aspire to more, to a greatness that escapes me. I even wonder why she feels this insatiable need for more and more. In contrast, Stacy, as the only scholarship student among us, is the one who really has the right to complain about her financial situation. Her precarious status contrasts sharply with Sarah's, highlighting the inequalities and differences in outlook within our group.- Come on, girls, let's get moving," informs Ethan, who is also in his own car, away from the school and the school uniform that sticks to our skin. He's dressed in a black hoodie, and I couldn't describe his jeans very well, given that he's sitting in his car. Anna's brother Cody is sitting next to him. There are only three seats left in the back waiting for us, and there are four of us.- Too bad, we'll make do, but as I head for Ethan's car, ready to sink inside, Jordan in his Mercedes stops me: - You can ride with me, Kimberly.I lift my head in his direction, but immediately feel a sharp lightning strike on my back, instinctively tilting my head in Bradley's direction, who has suddenly tensed up like a bow. His eyes, usually filled with nonchalance and "I don't give a damn", are now imbued with a dark, intense gleam, betraying a palpable jealousy. His face, usually serene, is now tense, his clenched jaws revealing restrained tension.Our eyes meet, and in that brief moment, I can almost feel the wave of jealousy emanating from him. His burning gaze seems to pierce my soul, seeking to understand my thoughts, my feelings. I feel his gaze weighing down on me, heavy with suspicion and incomprehension.Yet despite the tension between us, I finally look away, feeling the weight of his jealousy on my shoulders. Without a word, I head for Jordan's car, trying to escape this emotionally charged atmosphere. Even if he'd invited me into his car, I wouldn't have accepted. Not for lack of interest, but because I knew that the mere idea of being behind him, while he sat next to his so-called friend, would have been unbearable for me.