I got home and knocked on the door. My parents still hadn't left, so I asked to keep the keys to the house.
They were surprised by my arrival at home, because I had said that I would stay at Rebeca's house. I had to invent something and quickly.
— She had a last minute appointment,— I lied. — Looks like her parents called and asked her to spend the weekend at their house.
— Well, then take good care of the house, okay? — asks my mother and I say.
— So, let's go on this trip — announces my father. — Stay with God, boy.
Said goodbye to them, watching them from the front door.
They got into my dad's Impala 67 and left. From what they told me, they were going to spend a few days in a hotel, just the two of them.
I go to my room and enjoy being alone at home, so I can lock myself in my room, without having to explain it to my parents.
I wasn't feeling well, my self-esteem was low... Hilário, isn't it? And to make things worse, I can't believe I fell in love with the girl by I just met didn't do one day. It was Barbara I intended to date, but now she must be with another partner. But it costs nothing to try.
— I'll see her — I mumble
I get up and take the keys to my house and my car. I open the garage and close it again, with the car already out of it.
I take out my cell phone and dial her number. The number starts calling, calling, calling. Until she responds.
— Aleh? — she asks.
— I'll stop by your house — notice.
— Okay,— she says. — I need to talk to you, seriously.
I stepped on the gas and headed for Barbara's house.
Once there, the street was very busy. People were walking on the sidewalk, there were few cars parked. The neighborhood where Barbara lived was a little dangerous. But if you are from Rio, you can do well.
I arrived in front of her house and found her Golf GTi parked in her garage.
— Well, if it's not Alexander! — Mr. Vicente greets me, his cigarette in the corner of his mouth. — How are you kid?
— Well, what about you? — I asked, closing the car door.
In this neighborhood, Kleber's mother also lives, Dona Lúcia.
— Is Barbara home? — I asked.
— She's in there,— he replies. — You may come in.
— Thank you sir.
I enter Barbara's house and her mother greets me with a big smile on her face.
— Aleh! Good to see you, dear!
— Hello Mrs. Letícia, can I see Babi? — I ask after bowing.
— Yes — she allows. — I'm going to call...
— I'm already here. — Barbara leaves her room. — Come with me, Aleh. I need to talk to you in private.
She takes my hand and guides me to her room.
We enter the room and she closes the door with the key.
I stand against the wall and she looks at me with folded arms. She points to the computer chair and I sit down.
— Barbara, I ...
— Aleh, I wanted to talk to you ...
— ...love you.
She looks at me confused and blinks several times.
— Well... that was weird,— she says, and I'm a little uncomfortable with what I just said. — I know we are friends, we were born in the same neighborhood but you and your parents had to move soon after you turned 5.
— I don't understand,— I say, shaking my head.
— What I mean is that — she stops. — We are friends, and I don't want to ruin that friendship.
— So you don't want anything to do with me? — I ask.
— I realized that you and Rebeca get along, and I realize that we couldn't get along as well as you and her.
— How can you be sure of that? — I question, looking away from the wall. But soon I look at her again.
— It's hard to explain — She puts her hand on her chin, thoughtful. — But she needs you more than anything in this life.
— But she hates me.
— Tell me something — Barbara asks. — Why does she hate you? Why did you lie to her?
— Yes,— I said, lowering my head. — Her boyfriend was... well... ex boyfriend. He was a street racer and ended up dying in a car accident.
— Ah, yes, now I understand. — says Barbara.
— She hasn't dated a corridor since,— I said.
— So she doesn't hate you - Babi deduces.
— It will be?
— She really hates that trauma that haunts her — Barbara was sure of what she said.
— Should I run after her? — I get up and fix my shirt.
— Should? Of course you should! — She says.
— I'll be going,— I say, and when I reach the door, Barbara takes my hand and I stop. I turn to her and kiss me.
— For luck,— she says, smiling.
— Thank you. — I thanked her and left her room.
— Are you going, dear? — Ask Dona Lúcia.
— I remembered that I have an appointment,— I reply. — I just came to visit you. See you later!
I say goodbye to Barbara's father, get in my car and start the car. The roar of the engine announces my exit.
I run to the Rebeca neighborhood without caring about the signs, but respecting the pedestrian. But I confess that I was a little impatient. I was in no mood to expect anything.
— Come on,— I murmured.
The light turns green and I step on the gas.
Arriving in front of his house, I got out of the car and arrived in front of his gate. But soon I am stopped by a policeman who was patrolling there, in disguise. I raise my arm and stay on my back.
— Who are you, bastard? — He asks, examining me.
— I'm a student, sir,— I reply.
— And why the hurry? — question me again. — Were you running from the police?
He finds my driver's license.
— No, I just came because of an emergency — I try to lie, but it seemed that the policeman had not fallen.
— Emergency, isn't it? he asks. — What kind of emergency?
— How am I going to get out of this?— I thought.
— My girlfriend was feeling sick...
— What kind of guy makes his girlfriend sick? — he interrupts me.
— Oh, come on, cop? — I scream unintentionally, disrespecting him.
— Will come! He's under arrest — he cuffs me.
— Stuck?
— Yes — he says. — You disrespected a police officer.
At that moment Rebeca's sister, Iara, appears, curious to know the reason for this noise.
— Iara! Tell him I came to see Rebeca. — My pleading look met hers.
— Is it true girl? — The policeman asks.
— Yes,— she says, looking at me and then at the policeman. — Why are you taking him, Mr. Walker?
— He challenged me.
— He didn't let me finish talking,— I said.
— Please let go,— she asks.
— I'll take you into custody,— he says, opening the rear of the Duster.
— At whose command? — asks Iara. He stops. — If no one sent him, why take him?
— But miss...
— Does he have a criminal record? — She asks.
— Well... from what I could see...
— Then no,— she replies at once.
The policeman releases me and I thank him.
— Thank your little friend for that, boy,— says the policeman.
He gets into his Duster and got out of there.
— Why was he dressed like that? — I asked.
— Disguise... But it doesn't work very well, since he was with a PM Duster around here.
— I can talk to...
— Becca not here — she answers me.
— What? — I ask. — Where is she? — I asked.
— She's at our parents' house — says Iara and I find myself looking at her.
— I can...
— Come back? I don't think so, — says Iara. — She doesn't want to see you.
— I'm sorry — I head towards my car.
— But then — she calls me and I look at her. — Give me your number.
— For what? I have nothing interesting — I say and apologize.
— Pass me on,— she insists. — Then we can schedule to go out sometime.
— I dont know...
— Don't you like going out with girls? — she provokes, with a malicious smile on her face.
— Of course I like! — I say.
— Then give me your number,— she asks again.
I take a pen and paper and write down my number.
— But look, I don't know if I want to meet so soon," I say and walk away.
She approaches with her flat shoes and when I get in the car, I open the window and face her, she kisses me.
— I hope to be ready for a date one of these days. — she says winking at me.
I start the engine again and get out of there.