Making A Friend
1428 Words
It must have been a few hours that had passed. The adults were becoming drunk and getting loud. That mixed with the smell of cigars. I just had to go outside and be alone for a moment. I made an escape out of the hallway between the ballroom that lead to the pool area. After looking around, not a soul was in sight, so I took off my heels, pulled my dress up a little and sat on the edge of the pool with my feet in the heated water. Leaning back a little, looking at the stars covering the sky. Darkness around me but the lights from the house is very noticeable. You can hear people laughing and talking all the way outside and from the back patio. I closed my eyes for a minute.
" You want some company?" Justin says, walking towards me.
" If you want to." I said sitting up. Justin sits down beside me, takes his shoes and socks off and rolls up his pant legs and places his feet in the water.
" I thought it was going to be colder." He says looking at me.
" Its heated. So not too bad." I smiled.
"So what made you escape?"
" Just needed to get out of there for a minute. What about you?"
" Actually, we are finished and cleaned up. Then I saw you making an escape, so I figured I would see if you wanted some company."
" Thank you." Looking across the pool, you can see the lights from the back porch shining from the side of the house.
"So you have a lot of parties like this?"
" No, not really. Sometimes there are get-togethers with a few but not this many people."
" So just special occasions then?"
" I guess. It was more for my parents to be honest."
Even though we sat there for a few minutes in silence, it felt like I was becoming more familiar with him. Just him being there was comforting.
" My parents never had any parties. My mom was always too high or drunk to remember anything. My aunt tried her best but couldn't really afford anything. Sometimes she would make me a small cake for myself and I never wanted to eat it. I always wanted to save it." He starts to smile as memories relive in his mind " My dad left when my mom was pregnant. Honestly, she was seeing different guys, so no one really knew who my dad was. I would always imagine what life would be like for someone with money and parents. I used to wish for a big house and a mom and dad."
" Its not really all its made out to be."
" Well maybe, but that's why I took the job catering for a side gig. Save up money to buy a house, try and break the cycle. Have something in life."
I just looked at Justin feeling sorry, but knowing he had a rough life, I just wanted to protect him. I couldn't explain it at that very moment. I wanted to help him, not because of feeling sorry or anything like that, but because I didn't want him to hurt. I didnt want him to feel any pain. I wanted to make it all go away.
" Well, I can tell you from the side of someone with a big house and both parents. The house is empty. It might be big, but it is lonely and depressing. My mother drinks and is an intolerable person. She is a walking terror. Sometimes she would just vanish for weeks, sometimes months. When she would come back, she would make the workers take care of me, but as soon as my father came home she would try and play mother of the year. Her and my father argue all the time. Sometimes, when he leaves, she will take off as well and I am left in an empty house wishing I had a different life. Life isn't as it seems. One person's paradise is another's nightmare. Like this party, it's not a birthday party, it's a business opportunity for my father's business to expand." I said while moving my feet under the water.
" Im sorry. I just thought people with money looked so happy and had a good family."
" No, that's just what they want you to think."
" So what do you plan on doing in the future?"
"Honestly, I want to get away and start my own business. Not worrying if someone will make an offer to my parents that they can't refuse and they get rid of me."
" What do you mean?"
" If someone offers my parents something they want, the people may make me marry their son. Its really messed up."
" For real? They cant do that!"
" Yeah they can. That's why the night before my 18th birthday I think I am going to run if they try it. If I make it to my 18th birthday and they don't give me away sooner."
"I aint gonna let that happen. If you wanna go, I'll go with you. Get out of here and not look back."
" You would do that?"
" Honestly with you, I would."
Me and Justin are just stare at each other trying to read one another. He wouldn't have to ask me twice. I would leave with him no questions asked. Something about him is so hard to explain. It feels like the more I look at him and hear him speak like we have known each other for a long time. I want to protect him even if I can not be with him. I want to know he will be OK and not be hurt in any way emotionally or physically. He feels so familiar emotionally and physically.
"So your mom didn't like me and you talking earlier?" he asks.
" It's not you, it's a family rule. We are not allowed to socialize with normal people unless my father approves. We are to stay social within the group."
" So you're not supposed to be sitting here with me then?"
" Nope. Suppose to be flaunting around like a prize to anyone that will give the best offer."
" Thats messed up. I would never treat you like that. So you can't choose who you wanna be with?"
" Nope, my father does."
" How about this if he tries to give you away or even if you still wanna run when you are 18. We go together. I will make sure you are ok and safe."
" So a promise then?"
" Most definitely."
"But why? You don't have to do this?"
" I dont know. I just want to help you and protect you. I cant explain it but I feel like I have too."
We both just smile at one another
" You got a phone?" he asks.
" Yeah"
" Put my number in it."
I pulled my cell phone out of my bra. I know, but hey, where are you supposed to put it in a dress? He gave me his number. We just sat silently for a while.
" MARIA." I heard my mother yell.
I looked at Justin as he is pulling his feet out of the pool.
" I don't want you to get in trouble. Call me ok."
" OK." I say as he is grabbing his socks and shoes and vanishes on the side of the house.
" MARIA....MARIA... There you are?" My mother says " WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING?" Suddenly i see Leo walking up beside her.
" Why are you out here?" Leo says.
" You are the last person to question me." I snapped at him while pulling my feet out of the pool.
" You better stop talking to him in that tone Maria." My mother says,
" What?!? Are you serious? He is an obnoxious ass." I said
" Well, you better start thinking differently as his family made me an offer I have to accept!" My mother says. Leo has a cocky smirk on his face that I want to smack off.
" WHAT?! Are you serious?" I said
Leo walks towards me eyeing me up and down. " Told you I wanted you!" He says, I walked right towards him, my shoulder hitting his.
" NO way in hell!" I said, walking into the house holding my heels.
- Writer
