My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 8

Natalia

I watch as Billy lights the candles, and everyone sings. They are so excited to sing to him. Smiles and laughter flood the main room. I wish I had a camera to take a picture so I can freeze right now, and always be able to go back and remember this moment. I have never felt what I am feeling right now. It is an overwhelming feeling of happiness. Happiness for someone else. Happy that he has so many people who want to be here, celebrating him. Happy that this room is filled with love just for him.

A wise person once told me, "Everyone deserves to feel loved on their birthday," I am glad Michael gets to feel that.

Michael is like the bright sun. You feel the warmth and want more. He came and chose me, wanted to share lockers with me, invited me to his birthday party and here I am, agreeing and sneaking out to be here. Wanting to hang out with this random kid who I just met. There has to be a reason why I am doing all this right?

"Thank you for my birthday cakes, Natalia and Cassie." Michael gives a blonde girl who is standing with her arms looped through Billy's a hug. Then he comes over to me. "Nat, chocolate cake is my favorite," I smile, feeling proud that I at least did 1 thing right.

"Mine too," I say.

His whole face lights up!

"See, I just knew we would get along and become best friends. I could just feel that I would like you," he says.

"You like me because I like chocolate cake?" I ask. He laughs and nods.

"For other reasons too,"

"Really, like what?"

He shrugs.

"I don't even know. I just feel like you are a good person and even though we haven't known each other for that long, you are already someone I like to be around. Plus, you are really cute, short, and really sweet," he says, and I really take it to heart. My mom and David have always said how horrible it is to be in my presence, so hearing someone actually wanting to be around me makes me a bit emotional.

"Mia and Jace," Michael calls them over. "Let's get out of here. I have somewhere I want to take you," he tells us. "Oh wait, I don't know. I have to go home," I say.

All of their faces drop.

"No, Nat. Please. I want you to come. I will call your mom and personally ask if you can stay out with us. You can even sleep over at my house," Mia says quickly, and panic rises in me.

"My parents are probably already sleeping. I don't want to bother them. I will go with you guys for a bit before going home," hopefully this gets her off my back.

"Great, let's go," Michael says. He goes up to Billy and whispers something to him before they return. Billy gives us all a look.

"I don't really like it when you guys are out after dark, but I know what it's like to be your age and the need to be out with friends, so be careful and call me if anything comes up," he tries giving us a stern look, but he cracks easily and smiles.

"Babe, can we go out for a ride," the blonde from earlier comes up and wraps her arms around him from behind.

"Of course babe. We can do whatever you want," he tells her. She smiles and looks at me. Her eyes swoop me completely before she looks deep in thought.

"I know you from somewhere," she points at me, but I don't say anything.

"Were you in theater class last year?" she asks and I nod.

"I knew it. I remember that hair from anywhere," she laughs. I touch my hair.

"I love your hair. It's beautiful. Are you still in the class? Can I just touch your hair? I was too shy to ask last year, but it looks so soft and shiny," I blink, because, huh? My hair is dry and needs so much help.

"This year, I am taking music theater, and I am in the drama club too," she looks impressed. Luckily, she drops the touching hair idea.

"Drama club with Ms. Rubio. She is great," I nod, agreeing. "She actually wants me to try out for the upcoming school play. I have to start somewhere. Maybe one day I can even make it to Broadway or even become famous," She looks so interested. So do my other friends. That's not good. They already want to include me in everything and words like best and friends are being thrown around. I am not sure how to even keep my distance anymore.

I can't get close!

"Let me know when and where the play is. I will be there to support you." My chest feels tight.

"Okay," is all I can say, but in reality I know I won't be inviting anyone. It feels good to know that a stranger is willing to support my dreams though.

"Okay, Nattie will tell you and all of us when her play is, and we are leaving now," Michael says, pushing me away from Cassie. Nattie. He nicknamed me Nattie. It's usually Natalia or Nat, but no-one has ever given me another nickname.

"Be careful Mike. Random girl, take care of my brother for me," Billy winks. "What the f*ck bro, Shouldn't you be telling me to take care of her?" Michael shoves Billy. "No, I am putting all of my trust into this random girl taking care of you, not the other way around. You are a dumba$$," he laughs. He ruffles Mike's hair. "I'm serious, little bro, she looks like she will be the one defending you. If you are with her, I won't have to worry," Michael flips Billy off.

"It's the truth Mike," Billy shouts as we all walk towards the woods.

"Don't listen to him," I hear Jace tell Michael.

Why are my paths always through the woods?

Mia takes pictures of us along the way. "For memories," she says.

We follow Michael until I begin hearing animal sounds. Frogs, crickets, owls, cicadas.

We get to the lake.

"Wow. It's beautiful," I say as I take it all in.

"Nat, have you ever been here? You act like you are seeing this place for the first time," Mia says. I don't like the way she says it, so I lie.

"Of course, I have been here, but always during the day. I haven't been here at night," I have never been here.

"The last one to jump in has to do all of our homework," Jace shouts, and they all begin taking off their clothes. I do the same because I don't want to do their homework.

I am in my panties and bra and I jump in.

I instantly regret it.

The water is freezing.

"Jace, what kind of stup1d idea was this?" Mia shouts.

"I just needed to cool down," he says, looking at Michael.

Eventually, I get sucked in by their laughter and silly banter, and soon enough, we are swimming, talking, joking, and really getting to know each other. It is no longer freezing cold, and I am afraid of how much I am starting to like these 3, especially Michael. He is a really cool guy.

It begins getting cold and I realize something.

"Mia, you don't have to do my homework. I already did it," I tell her since she jumped in last. She giggles.

"Thank god. I would not know how to answer a single question from your homework. I am sure your homework and Jace's would get 0 percent, because you two are too smart for my little brain to handle. How do you even have AP classes all throughout high school?" she asks. I shrug.

"I don't know. I just know that in elementary school, I always complained to my teachers about headaches and also being bored in class. I was tested for the gifted program, and ever since then I was put in harder classes. I took a test in middle school and then again right before high school and these are the classes I got. They aren't really harder. They just give me more work that keeps me busy for longer periods of time, which sucks, because it gives me less time to do what I really like doing," I say honestly.

"What do you really like doing?" She asks.

I look around and all 3 of them look so invested. Like they really want to hear what I have to say, so I say it.

"My biggest goal is to get on TV one day. I want to be famous. Maybe star in a tv show, or a movie, even commercials. Anything really. I know I am quiet and a little introverted, but when I am in character, I really put my all into it. I leave Natalia's body and mind, and I turn completely into my character. I want to be on the big screen. I just want to make money, become rich and famous, and be happy,"

We hear a rustling noise.

I stop talking and try to listen closer.

"What was that?" Jace says.

My whole body tenses. What if mom knows I snuck out? What if David followed me here?

I jump out of the water and Michael gets out after me.

"Billy was joking Nat. I can defend you," I frown. I can defend myself. I don't get to tell him, because the rustling gets louder. Whatever it is, it is coming closer and closer. "Mia, come, get out. We need to be able to run," Jace helps her out. I am already getting dressed.

My heart beats hard. I can literally feel it in my ears.

"Shhh, it's coming," Jace says as we all brace ourselves.

"Get behind me Nat," Michael says, and it feels good knowing someone is willing to protect me.

I am scared, but not scared at the same time. I just brace myself.