My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 4

Natalia

It's my 1st day of school.

I wake up at 5am to make sure I get to use the restroom and be out of the way before anyone wakes up. I don't want to bump into David.

I get all my clothes ready and rush to the restroom.

I make it inside and lock the door. I take a shower and when I am done, I get out, blow-dry my hair and comb it. Hopefully, this keeps the frizz at bay. I hate how dry and brittle my hair looks, but mom doesn't buy products for me to use. I do the best I can. I get dressed and open the door to leave, but I am trapped by David standing there with a smirk on his face.

"Good morning," I look past him to find mom standing there. "Good morning mom," I say. I try to walk past him, but he moves his body so he continues to block me in. "Move," Panic rises, and I shove him out of the way. I don't know if I catch him off guard, but he moved out of the way.

"Nat, what the f*ck is wrong with you? First you get up early and keep making so much noise. We are trying to fall asleep and here you go, being loud and turning on the shower for f*cks sake!" my mom shouts, but I walk past her into my bedroom. She is on drugs and I do not want to fight with her before school. I am already feeling really anxious about my new school year.,

"I have to go, mom. It's the first day of school, and I don't want to be late. I have to go speak to my counselor before school starts," I tell her, and walk back, past her and David to get to the front door.

"You are such a rude little b1tch. I was going to offer to make you a nutritious breakfast and send you off for your first day," I look around. She has to be kidding me.

"You've never cooked, plus, there is no food here, mom. How do you plan on making this so-called breakfast?" I ask her. She looks at David and they both burst out laughing.

"Well, I guess we will just see you off then. Make sure you are back right after school. No talking to boys and don't draw attention to yourself. I don't need you dragging people over here now that you are older and developing," David tells me. He reaches for my head, but I step away and closer to the door. I just nod, to get him off my back.

"I have to go," I grab the doorknob, but I feel him grab my backpack, but I don't expect him to pull it as hard as he does. I go flying back and land on the floor.

"I'm warning you Natalia. You going back to school better not become a problem. Remember your brother isn't here to protect you anymore," I know he gets a sick satisfaction reminding me.

I stand up.

"You won't have any problems," I say. "Good then," I look over at mom, who looks at me sharply.

"Get going. I'm tired of looking at your face," she says. I walk out, feeling relieved to get some hours away from home.

"Willowbrook High School,"

I walk in, and I feel like I can breathe a little easier now.

I feel safe here.

1st stop counselor's office.

I want to tell her my goals and make sure no problems will arise with my senior year plans.

I walk out of there with a smile on my face. I got all great news, and it turns out I will only have two classes in the morning. I can leave school by midday, so my goal of getting a job will soon become a reality.

I pull out the papers that were mailed home with this year's info, so I can find my locker code.

I am walking, not really paying attention, when I slam into someone, and all of my papers go flying.

"F*ck, I am so sorry. I didn't see you there. I was busy looking at my classes," I am sure my eyes mirrored his with shock as neither was expecting us to crash into each other.

"Mike," we both bend down to pick up my papers, and his head crashes into me.

We both fall to the floor, laughing.

"I'm so sorry. I was also looking at my classes and my locker code," I say. I finish collecting my things, and he fiddles awkwardly with his backpack.

"So, where are you headed?" he asks me.

"Building H is where my locker is, and then I am going to AP English Literature and Composition," I am too shy to tell him that I want to go get breakfast because I am starving.

He whistles. You really are like Jace. He mentioned you take the same classes he does. He's basically a genius, and that makes ypou one, too," I laugh. Mike is funny.

"I will walk you. I have a sports class, and coach is always late,"

He helps me find my locker. I place my backpack on the floor and bend down to get my things out. I brought a picture of me and Blake and a bunch of stickers, a small calendar and a sticky note pad, along with a tiny mirror and I begin decorating my locker.

"You don't have to stay here. I might take a bit," He shakes his head. "Jace actually has his locker here, and we all agreed to meet here. Speaking of the devil, yo, Jace!" he shouts and waves. I turn to see him and Mia walking towards us. Fudge!

"Hi Natalia," Mia says, sounding too excited.

"Hello Mia," I say. "I can't believe all of our lockers except Mike's are in this building. Looks like we will be seeing each other so much more," she says, and I shiver at the thought of having to talk to her everyday. There isn't anything wrong with her, but the warning keeps playing in my head.

"Sure!" I hear myself say anyway. I stick the final thing on my locker door. I need to get out of here.

I put my books and the 2 folders for each class inside, and I slam it shut.

"Thanks Mike, well, bye guys," I make sure not to say I will see you guys later, because I don't need them coming around me. I grab my backpack and rush out the door before they could say anything else.

I grab a coffee cake in the cafeteria, and then rush to my class.

I am the first one in class. I take a seat towards the left side of the classroom, all the way to the back. Eventually, Jace walks in, and I feel my palms getting sweaty when I realize he is walking towards me. I try not to make eye contact, but he still takes the seat next to me anyway.

"Hey, you didn't wait for me," I smile awkwardly. "Sorry, I had to go to the restroom," I lie. I don't want anyone to know I don't have food at home and that the school's cafeteria is the only place I am guaranteed to eat. Luckily, the teacher walks in, and we focus on the class. We are also in the same class for the next period.

It's lunchtime, and I get in line and grab my school lunch and take it to the library, where I decide to spend the rest of the day. I grab a newspaper, and look to see if there are any job openings listed. I also get some computer time and print out flyers for places near here that are hiring. Time seems to fly by, but I feel great with all the positions I found. I printed a bunch of applications and begin filling them out, but I freeze at the words. Call back number. Even if someone is going to hire me, where would they contact me? I can't give my house number. I am a dead girl if anyone calls asking for me. I have to figure something out quick. All I know is that tomorrow after my classes, I will leave school and go turn in all of these applications, and hopefully I get a job on the spot.

The last bell rings and I walk back to my locker to switch out some things before going home.

I see Mike leaning on my locker.

"Hey, I was hoping you weren't gone yet," he tells me.

"Why?" I ask.

He moves over so I can open my locker.

"I was thinking that you could let me share your locker with you," he tells me. "What do you mean? Don't you have a locker?" He runs his hands through his hair. "Well, yes, but I really want a locker in the same building as all my friends," I look at him and he smiles. He has really nice teeth.

"Why can't you share with your friends then? Ask Jace or Mia," I slam the door shut. There's a buzzing sound and I watch him pull his phone out and answer it. I have a light bulb moment, and once he hangs up the call, I change my tune.

"So, if we share my locker, should we share everything else?" he raises his eyebrows.

"What else do you want to share?" he asks.

I think about my words.

"Okay, so here is the deal. My cellphone broke, and I won't be getting a new one for a little while. I am going to apply for some jobs, and I was wondering if I could put your phone number down as the call back number, and if they call, you can just relay the message. You see these sticky notes? If anyone calls for me, you could get the info, then you can write it down here so I will know," I tell him, hoping he says yes. This is a great plan.

"You want to put my number down on your application?" He looks confused. "Yes, if that is okay with you," I say. "You don't have a house phone or can't put your parent's phone?" I shake my head. "My parents travel a lot for work, and no-one is ever home besides me, so we don't have a house phone, and like I said they work too much so no point in putting their numbers. They will forget to tell me. But, you. We share a locker now, so you will see me every day, and you won't forget, right?" He gives me that smile again, and something inside of me flips. No, no, no, no.

"Okay, sure," he writes his number on my hand, and I write the locker info on his.

"So, I'm having a little birthday party at the clubhouse tomorrow after school. I was hoping you would come," How do I say no nicely?

"Thank you for the invitation. I will see. I have a lot going on right now, but if I can, I will make sure to stop by," I give him my best fake smile.

He just stares at me.

"Your eyes are so bright and blue. I have never seen a pair of eyes like yours," that makes me a little self-conscious. I don't like people paying so much attention to me. I look down shyly. "Well, I have to get home," I say. "I have to get going too. Billy is probably outside. I will see you tomorrow," he waves and walks out of the building.

I am about to go home, when I realize that I can not bring the applications home. I take out the papers and fill in his phone number and leave them in my locker. They are safe here.

I realize how late it is, and I run home, taking the shortcut through the woods, and I make it home on time.

I get close to the front door and I hear the music, so I know they are already partying. Sadly, I have no other choice but to go inside.

I unlock the door and walk in. To my horror, I walk into my mother in an awkward position. She is naked. Her legs are wide open, and there is one man under her, one behind her and another standing up in front of her. They see me and do not stop their attack on my mother. The smell and noises are disgusting.

"Oh Natalia, you are home. Look at what a wh0re your mother is," David comes to stand next to me. "Watch these men f*ck her. She loves it. You know, you are almost 18 and soon enough those pretty, soft, pink lips will get put to work," I am disgusted. I run to the restroom to puke, and all David can do is laugh at me. "Oh, you will learn."

I go into my room, lock it and secure it with the dresser. I pull out my homework. I hope that getting busy will help me forget what I just saw my mother doing and David's disturbing words.

It was the first day and I already have a paper due tomorrow. Anyone else would complain, but I thrive on this. I love the pressure. I lock in and get it done and eventually drift off to sleep.