My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 13

Natalia

I don't even go to my locker after my last class. I don't want to risk running into Michael, Jace or Mia right now. I am not sure if Michael kept what he saw to himself or if he told them, and I am not in the mood to be questioned.

Instead, I go to the cafeteria, grab a sandwich, a juice, and an apple, and I leave through the back gate of the school. I head straight for the grocery store. I am going to go look for my brother before heading to my first day of work.

I am so excited about work. This has to be the only thing I am looking forward to. Coming from a place where I have nothing, I can't wait to have money in my pocket. I am not sure where I am going to hide it, so I need to start planning my next moves.

I am not excited about meeting Michael later tonight though. I might just leave him hanging and talk to him at school tomorrow instead. I need more time to think of what to tell him. I can't let him know I actually live there, but what if he shows up to my house looking for me?

He called it the crack house!

My eyes tear up. What will he think about me? Why do I even care? I wipe my watery eyes. Maybe Blake can help me figure this out.

I arrive, and walk around the store. Pretty soon I will be able to buy snacks and drinks that I can keep hidden in my room or in my locker. I will have food to eat at all times.

"Hello, do you know if Blake Ramos is in?" I ask some guy in one of the aisles, holding a tablet.

He types something in and frowns. He looks up at me and the look he gives me sends chills down my spine.

"No, sorry. He didn't come in today. He missed his shift. No call—no show," I am shocked to hear this. Blake takes his job seriously.

"No, that is not like him," I say.

"Is he your boyfriend?" I shake my head.

"He is my brother," he gives me a look of pity.

"He left with Jessica yesterday and neither clocked in today. Look, between us, I told him that girl was bad news, but he wanted his turn," he shrugs and walks away.

I stand here, feeling really worried and confused. Who is Jessica, and what does Blake wanted his turn mean? I have no idea where to find him or where to even go looking for him.

Realizing I won't get any answers here, I make my way to the hair salon.

The alarm notifies Sally that I have arrived.

"I'm so happy to see you darling. You are right on time. I have an appointment in 30 minutes, and I need you to help me sweep this place up, and set everything up for the next client." She hands me the broom and dustpan and I get to work.

Once I am done, she quickly teaches me how to clean the stations, and she shows me where everything is to refill. Once I wipe everything down, she tells me to stay in the back refilling bottles, and she tells me which station needs what.

"Today is an easy day, you will just help me with refills and learning basic things. I have a snack station set up over here. There's food and drinks in this mini fridge. Once my client gets here and is in the chair, just fill up her champagne and get some cookies and snacks and bring them to her. My clients love feeling spoiled, especially this one. She is rich and expects the best of the best, which we are. I am sorry in advance if she is rude or makes comments. She is rich, but she is not a great person. Her family has known mine for years, and they are loyal clients, but I have to be honest. She isn't great, and I just want to give you that heads up before she arrives," I nod and smile, feeling thankful for her consideration.

"This is how you disinfect," she grabs the solution and shows me at the sink when the front door opens and alerts us of a client.

"Will be right with you," Ms. Sally shouts.

"Alright, now set these in my station and put the rest of these away in those bins I showed you earlier," I nod and do as I am told.

I don't get to her station though. From across the room, my eyes connect to a pair of cold, calculated ones.

Mrs. Whitmore, Andrew's mom.

"Sally, what is she doing here?" Andrew's mom shouts as she points at me.

"This is my new employee," Ms. Sally holds her hand out for me to introduce myself. I am not even sure if I ever told her my name.

"Natalia Ramos," I say in a low voice. Andrew's mom knows who I am, and I have always had a suspicion that she does not like me, or my brother. I overheard a conversation once. I didn't think it was that serious, but her reaction is telling me otherwise.

"Sally, how dare you have the daughter of a crackhead working for you?" My heart drops.

Why would she say that out loud? She is going to get me fired on my first day.

"Who Natalia's mother is or what she does doesn't matter to me. Natalia is her own person, and she is a phenomenal employee." My heart swells at Ms. Sally defending me. Andrew's mom turns her head up. I can tell she is bothered by that answer.

"You don't understand Sally, so let me explain. It seems like my son has taken a liking to this girl. He got this heroic need to save her and her brother. They're poor and dirty. How would I ever explain to anyone in our society that my son is intertwined with these kinds of people? You understand, right?" Sally gives me an apologetic look.

"Constance, your son is old enough to make his own decisions. I am sure he knows what he is doing. He is an adult now," Sally chuckles. Sounds like she is trying to lighten the mood.

"No, he doesn't know what he is doing. He needs my guidance. Can you believe he won't even make friends with my friend's sons and daughters? I think these people fed him witchcraft or something, because he'd rather be in their house than ours. A crackhouse. I mean look at her. Look at her greasy hair and old clothes. Her shoes are dirty and ripped. Come on," she spits.

I feel really exposed right now. She isn't wrong though. My family and I are all of those things.

"Constance," Sally says her name firmly. Andrew's mom looks at her.

"Shall we start on your hair? That is what you are here for, right? Not to talk about my employees?" Ms. Sally says.

"You mean your ex-employee? I want to get my hair done without having to see her face. You need to fire her now that you know that my family hates hers. This girl is so beneath us. You shouldn't have her working here. She is giving your salon a bad look," I look at the floor. I wish it would swallow me whole right about now. This is so embarrassing.

My eyes fill with tears. I don't even know Andrew's mom. I know my home situation isn't ideal, but she is acting like I chose this life for myself. The tears threaten to fall, and I refuse to let her see me breakdown. I am about to turn around and leave to the back when ms. Sally sighs loudly.

This is it. I'm done for. I knew this was too good to be true. I am going to have to find another job asap.

"Actually, Constance. You can go. I don't appreciate the way you are speaking about Natalia and I refuse to serve you," I am shocked to hear Ms. Sally say this to her.

"Excuse me Sally. You don't want to do this!" Andrew's mom gets up and looks like she is about to shoot fire out of her mouth. Her face is red and she looks pissed.

"I already did, Constance. Find somewhere else to get your hair done. I refuse to do your hair here ever again. You are banned from my salon. Learn manners and respect. You should be thankful that your son knows someone as good as Natalia. Hopefully, he doesn't let you get into his head. Hopefully he turns out to be a decent person, unlike you," she says and points at the door.

Andrew's mom leaves stomping her feet. Once the door closes behind her, Ms. Sally turns to me.

"I'm sorry about that, Nattie. Is it okay if I call you that?" I nod, not knowing what to say.

"She is a rude b1tch. My best friend is her mother-in-law, and she will be hearing about this." I am shocked at her choice of words.

"She isn't wrong. My mom is a drug addict and I do live in a house everyone calls the crack house or crackhead house, and I don't have a dad," I say.

"My mother, bless her heart, had a drinking problem. It isn't like we can pick who our parents are. Don't let what that witch said get to you. She is just mad her son has a friend like you."

"You shouldn't lose your customers, especially loyal ones because of me," I tell her.

"Nattie, we both know right from wrong and we both know Constance is wrong. I might be rich and come from a wealthy family, but I will always stand up for what is right. Having money doesn't mean you can go around treating others like sh1t. She was so out of line, and I am actually thinking of messaging her son so he knows what his mother did too," My eyes widen.

"No, please don't. I don't want Andrew to worry about this while he is busy with his classes. Please just don't bring it up again," I beg her. She smiles.

"You are too good. Nattie, can I ask you something?" I nod.

"Are you safe? Why are you wearing sunglasses? Take them off," Damn, I have been caught.

"I accidently ran into a wall." silence....

"Does the wall have a name?" the tears fall. She knows.

"I'm safe, okay. I'm almost 18. I think I'll be safe until then. I need money to be able to move out and not end up in the streets. That's why I am working for you," I say honestly. No point in lying now.

"What would happen if I sent the cops to your home right now?" she asks me.

"Please don't. I know how to take care of myself. I have been doing it for years to avoid ending up in foster care. I promise I can take care of myself. Just a couple of months left," I tell her.

"If you can't, do you promise you will come to me or another person you trust for help?" she tells me.

"How do I know who I can trust?" I ask her.

She shrugs.

"In all of my years of experience, I would say you can't trust anyone. All you can do is find someone you distrust the least and confide in them just a little. Not with all of your secrets either. Trust them enough to help get you by. I hope that makes sense," she winks. It makes perfect sense and with this, I feel like maybe I could meet Michael tonight.

"Now, get back to work. You still have a lot to learn."

She teaches me how to answer the phone and log appointments. She teaches me how to handle cancellations, the different kinds of appointments and how much time in between clients I should book.

I stay through 2 appointments, and luckily the other ladies are so much nicer.

I even get tipped for bringing the champagne and snacks, which I am thrilled about. This means I will always have a little cash.

I feel like I did good for my first day.

Sally locks her front doors at 5.

I thank her.

"You still have my number, right Nattie?" she asks before I leave. I nod. "I have your card," She places her hand on my shoulder. "If you ever need anything, you call me. No matter the day or time, okay?" I nod.

"Thank you. See you, tomorrow," I wave and head home.

Besides the little hiccup with Andrew's mom, I would say my first day went great. I still feel a little shaken up by everything, but I head home feeling happy. I hope mom and David don't have people over and aren't in a horrible mood.