05

About two days ago my brother announced he had a new girlfriend and ever since, my mom and I hadn’t seen him until now. He did that all the time though whenever he had a new girlfriend. He just took off and did whatever he wanted. It didn’t even bother me anymore, it’s his own life he was ruining.

Rafael was fixing his hair in the reflection of the microwave as he casually shrugged his shoulders. « Oh, I dumped her. »

I frowned but knew better than to react to his asshole-ness, since that’s exactly what he wanted me to do.

The microwave finally started beeping and I grabbed a plate from the cupboard, waiting a second for the smoke to be gone before taking the slice of pizza out.

« So how are things between you and Bee-Boo Adams ? Pregnant yet ? If I could give you any advice, it’d be not to end up as a whore just like our mommy, » Rafael said before he took a big bite from my pizza, almost burning his mouth in progress.

I rolled my eyes at the nickname he gave Brandon and ignored him once again. This wasn’t the first time Rafael made sick comments like this about me and my mother, but we knew better than giving him the satisfaction of reacting to anything he said.

I guess he was just really bored with his life.

Rafael continued, « yeah, I mean, I’m just looking out for my sis. One dirty slut in our family is enough, don’t you think ? Pregnant of twins at age fifteen from a guy she barely even knew isn’t the future I wish upon you. »

Sometimes I couldn’t believe how Rafael was related to me. He must’ve gotten these crazy mood swings from our father, because let me tell you that my mom and I were nothing like him.

« Shut the fuck up, Rafael, » I mumbled and I grabbed my pizza out of his hands.

For a second he looked surprised by what I did, but he quickly seemed to recover himself.

« Make me, » he said and he licked his lips in a disgustingly way.

I shook my head and made my way upstairs, ignoring my brother who was still shouting irrelevant and mostly inappropriate things at me. Like I said before, I knew better than to react to it.

-

I was sitting in the school’s canteen with my best friends Mia Carpenter and Tina Lopez. I have known Mia and Tina since I was a little girl. Tina actually lived around the corner of my house, that’s how we met. Mia moved here from Florida when we were in second grade.

Mia was the youngest of us. She had a flawless brown skin, her black hair was braided in cornrows and her big brown eyes looked at us with pure joy as she was telling us a story about how David McCallister commented something flirty on her Instagram picture.

Tina was Mexican, like me. She’s actually the one who officially introduced me to Brandon. Her boyfriend, Matthew Hill, was one of Brandon’s friends. Tina asked me to join her when she was going to hang out at Matthew’s house and Brandon happened to be there as well.

And that’s how it all started.

A few girls from a different class greeted us and sat down at our table. Since the conversation was about the upcoming math test which I already studied for, I didn’t really have the desire to join, so I just looked around instead.

I couldn’t focus though, since my mind once again drifted back to last night’s fiasco. Only thinking about going back to Brandon’s house after what happened was enough to stress me out. How the hell was I going to act towards Mr. Adams ? I could actually slap myself for the things I said to him.

I looked at Mia and Tina and for a second I thought about asking them for advice. I quickly realized there was no way I could tell them about Mr. Adams, it would be too weird. And even though they were my best friends, I couldn’t risk telling telling them. All it took was for Tina to tell Matthew and we all knew Matthew would enlighten Brandon in a heartbeat.

It was better if I just said nothing and figured this out on my own.

I felt my phone buzzing and I saw that I got a text from Brandon

Meet me at our spot ?

I found myself grinning from ear to ear and stood up. Why have I been so worried ? Brandon was still the one who could make me smile about the smallest things like asking me to meet up at our spot at the bleachers. I needed to stop overthinking things.

But then again, just the thought of seeing Mr. Adams again was enough to flush my cheeks. Brandon and I had a homework date at his place after school, meaning I would Mr. Adams again. I honestly couldn’t wait to see his reaction when he’d see me, even though I knew this time I had to be way more respectful towards him.

I was acting careless the last time I saw him and I didn’t want him to think I was that kind of girl. I couldn’t quite explain what I wanted him to think of me. I wanted him to like me, sure, but did I want him to like me as his son’s girlfriend or was there more to the story ? It didn’t really matter what I wanted though, since I had probably already ruined his impression of me anyway.

As I approached the bleachers, I noticed Brandon sitting on to highest bench. A smile creeped on my face and I made my way over there.

« Hey, » I smiled as I sat down next to him, giving him a soft kiss on his lips.

« Hey you. »

He threw his arm around my shoulders and pressed my body against his. We watched the football practice that was going on for a while until Brandon spoke up. « My parents really liked you, mom actually couldn’t shut up about you. It was annoying. »

I gasped dramatically before softly elbowing him.

« I’m just kidding ! » he quickly laughed, putting his hands up in surrender. « But seriously though, they loved you. »