My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 18

Mia

Nat walks into the cave and her eyes widen. "Mia, wow. You look beautiful," I roll my eyes. I am a bigger girl. I know I am not beautiful, but it's sweet of Nat to always say it to me. Sometimes I actually think she means it. "S3xy, maybe, beautiful, no," I laugh, but Nat doesn't. She takes off her backpack and gets comfortable.

"How was work?" she gives me that fake smile she gives everyone. "It was great. Came here right after," she says quickly, but something in that look tells me she is lying, but it's not my place to ask questions. Nat has always been vague and private since we met her. We know not to push, because that usually pushes her away, and we don't want that. Nat elevated us. She elevated me. A couple of the popular kids in school say hi to me now. Dean Martinez even winked at me today. I almost passed away in the hallway. I know that Jace was also excited about not getting shoved into a locker and people greeting him instead.

When we are out shopping, or hanging out, guys look my, well, our way now. Guys come hit on Nat, and they end up talking to me too. When it's 2 boys, one talks to her and the other to me. None of this has ever happened. I mean before Nat, it was just always Jace and me until Mike came alone, so maybe guys were afraid to talk to me because of them, but again, I am a bigger girl, so I know that many guys aren't attracted to my build. Now, everyone wants to talk to me.

None of that matters though. I am not into high school boys, or any that are my age. I am actually into older men, which is how I got invited to this party.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a private message on IG from this man that I actually know. I have never spoken to him in person, but I have seen him around here and there, throughout the years. He is the father of someone close to us, but I can't say who. No-one can find out. Not yet.

He started off by asking me random questions. Eventually, we exchanged phone numbers and would text throughout the day, then we would talk for like 2 hours every night. He was the first man to even care about what I had going on. I can tell him anything, and he listens and gives me the best advice. Last week, he asked me to be his girlfriend officially, and we have been planning to meet up. This party will make it a perfect first date.

I have told him about school, my friends, even about Nat's school play and how I am volunteering to help, because she is my best friend. He even knows about the problems at my house that no-one else knows about, which include my dad cheating on my mom with the wh0res at the club, and mom shutting down and being depressed due to his infidelity. How my dad is up to his neck in debt due to his gambling and how we are about to lose our house and all end up having to live at the club. Dad doesn't know that I know that's why he has slowly started moving us into the club. It's so embarrassing that the president and vice president give us these looks. Especially when mom sits outside in the common area while dad screws anything with a v@gina. I really opened up to him. He is really someone I can talk to. He doesn't judge me. He actually tells me he understands me and wishes he could help me more. I wish that too.

The only problem is he is married, so I can't really introduce him to my family and friends and I can't go around talking to people about him, but I am going to confess to Nat. At least some of our love story. Maybe just not the married part. Nat is big on being honest, and she would never agree with cheating or being with a married man. She wouldn't understand how unhappy he is, and how he is trying to get out of his marriage and do right by me. He loves me.

I just hope that Nat loves him as much as I do, so that if she ever finds out the truth, she won't hate him.

"Here, try this on," I asked Cassie for some of her old clothes, because I knew that Nat would go in her tom boy clothes if I let her. I don't want to be mean, but Nat doesn't have the best wardrobe. She wears the same stuff in rotation. Her shoes are all old and worn out, and she always looks tired. I want us both to make an impression. Especially because my boyfriend said he would have friends there. Hopefully, Nat takes to one of them, and that will make hanging out with him a lot easier if I can bring Nat with me all the time.

"Wow," I say, feeling a little jealous at how Nat looks in this little black dress. My dress is little, but I look more like a busted can of biscuits. I shove all of those feelings down, because I have always known that Nat is smoking hot. She has a great body, and even though she always looks exhausted, her face gives model.

"I don't like it," I wave her off. She never likes what I try to dress her in. This girl is so complicated. "Too bad. That's all we have. Now sit and let me do your hair and makeup," I put brown eye shadow on her eyelids, because of her hair. Certain colors don't look right on her. I have to give her the more basic look. Otherwise, she will look like a clown. I straighten her hair and apply red lipstick. Done!

I stand back to admire my creation. Getting Natalia Ramos ready really is hard work. I deserve an award.

I pull her to stand in front of the mirror. She takes us both in, and smiles. That one seems genuine.

I snap a couple of selfies, and then do some solo shots.

"Now, we are ready to party!" I scream as I swat her butt, so she gets out the door. I grab my purse with the little surprise inside. I am ready to see my man and excited to have some fun with my best friend!