My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 12

Natalia

I wake up and get ready for school. I can hear movement in the house. I grab my backpack and move my dresser before going out. I go straight to the restroom. I see Mom and David are in the kitchen on my way. I need to figure out a way to get my mom to agree to me staying after school somehow.

I try to think of what to tell her. Everything I thought of sounded great last night. Now my stomach hurts just thinking of this conversation. I know my new boss said she is flexible and will work around my schedule, but at least if mom thinks I am at school, I don't have to rush, and I will be able to do my job efficiently.

As soon as I step out of the restroom, David looks over and begins walking over to me.

He is coming in fast. Oh boy! My stomach sinks at what he wants now.

"Do you know who the man in the yard last night was?" I shake my head. "Hmmm," he says. I walk past him and go to my mom. I smile and try to turn on my charm. Not that I think it will work on her. She always looks at me like she hates me, but I am willing to try anything.

"Mom, I got an A on my test," She looks at me with eyes that look empty and soulless.

"What the f*ck do you want me to do with that information?" Mom used to at least care about me getting perfect grades. She used to help me with my homework at some point, and she would always tell me the most expensive thing a woman could have is her brain and that knowledge is power. This is what really stuck with me, and I am sure that deep down under all the drugs and booze, her caring nature should still be there, right? She will still care that I get good grades.

"I am the smartest kid in my class, mom."

She doesn't say anything, and that hurts so much. She doesn't even look happy like she did before.

"Because of my grades, my teacher put me in charge of a class project that meets after school every day. It's being graded with a final, permanent grade, so I can't say no. I know how you expect me to get all A's. I love getting good grades and making you proud," I throw that last bit in there, because at some point, my mom thrived off my grades. I think my grades and GPA were the one thing that made her proud.

She still doesn't say anything. I need to come up with something better.

"I might be valedictorian mom," she looks at me with wide eyes.

"School is for suckers," David has such a small mind. I ignore him and that sets him off.

"I am talking to you, stup1d girl. Don't you hear me?" he gets in my face and waves his hands wildly as he yells at me.

"I hear you," I say.

"Then why the f*ck don't you respond? Do you think you are too good to answer me?" His breath is so rank, and he is way too close for my liking.

"I'm talking to my mom right now,"

All of a sudden, I feel a punch, straight to my face.

All I can do is drop to the floor. I hold my face, knowing if I scream or cry it will be worse.

I try to be quiet, but it hurts, and eventually the tears fall.

"Mom," I cry, wishing she would say something or at least try to defend me.

All I want is for her to be proud of me. To defend me. To choose me. I once heard her telling my brother to get his grades up so she could brag about him too. She said I was her favorite possession because I am not just beautiful, but also smart. I remember being tested for the gifted program as a kid. Back when mom was healthy. She was so happy. She called everyone and told them. She even took me to Harry's pizza parlor. I remember Blake ate so much pizza he threw up, then he went right back for more. If there's one good memory I have of a time in my life when I was truly happy, it was then. When David wasn't in the picture and mom wasn't on drugs. Things have changed so much.

I just want my mom back.

"How long after school Natalia? You know we like to have you home right away," she says.

"Marsha. She is not allowed to stay after school. She needs to come straight home. The answer is no. Her stup1d a$$ teacher can find someone else to put in charge. She has chores and things to do here at home that are more important, than a class project and a stup1d speech." Mom looks at David, frowns, then she looks back at me.

"If it's for school, then stay as long as needed, but remember Natalia, I need all A's." I don't even know what her deal is. Does she care about my grades or not? Is it about her being able to brag about a smart daughter? Or is it that she wants to go against David? Whatever it is, she said yes, so I decide not to give it another thought.

Instead, I do something I haven't done in a long time.

I give her a hug and kiss her cheek.

Her eyes widen.

I think she is just as shocked as I am.

She clears her throat and looks uncomfortable.

I put my backpack on, and I am about to leave when she grabs my hand.

"Get some sunglasses from my bedroom. That eye is turning purple. You better not tell anyone anything. Tell your teachers you had an eye exam so you have to wear these for a couple of days and stop being so disrespectful, Natalia," she warns me.

I nod and do as she says.

"I'm leaving bye," I have to leave before she changes her mind, or David changes it for her. I hear him yelling at her, demanding to know why she gave me permission, and went against the man of the house. I am pleasantly surprised to hear her yell at him to f*ck off and to never question me about a man in the yard or school ever again.

I smile.

Maybe mom is changing her mind about David? Maybe my old mom is still there somewhere? Maybe she's going to finally kick him out and be a better mom?

I can only hope, but I am thrilled she gave me permission. Now I can work longer hours if I need to. I have to find Blake and tell him.

I get to school and go to my locker first. I need to grab a book and switch out some of my worksheets.

I grab everything I need, and I am about to close my locker when Michael arrives.

"Why did you jump in through the window of the crack house last night and not come back out?"

I hear the words come out of his mouth, but I can't answer. My body goes numb. I just straight up freeze.

Someone now kind of knows my deepest secret. He will keep asking questions. He will expect answers. What do I even say?

"Nat," Micheal is fast and grabs the sunglasses and tries to take them off my face. I grab them before they are completely off, but based on his facial expression, he saw my face.

I can feel the tears in my eyes and I hate it.

"Who did this to you, Nat? What are you hiding? If you are in trouble and need help. You can tell me. When I said I wanted us to be friends, I meant it. You can trust me. I won't tell anyone if it is something bad. I can keep a secret, just tell me who hurt you," he tells me.

"Meet me at the lake tonight, and I will explain everything, but don't tell anyone, Michael. I have to go now," I say, and rush to make it to class on time.