Maria Eduarda

Two years ago

I can't believe that my birthday has finally arrived. Today I am turning 18, and thank God I came of age. And here I am, getting ready to go to school. I can't wait to finish high school.
I comb my long red hair and apply a light coat of makeup to my face. I have always been vain and I like the way I dress. I like to attract attention like every teenager. I know that I am beautiful and I am always attracting looks.
- Wow, Duda, how beautiful you look! - my sister says, and I look at her, who was standing in the doorway.
- They are your eyes! - I joke.
- So, how are you feeling, being 18 now?
- Honestly, I feel great, I know it sounds strange, but it feels like I've won my freedom.
- You make it sound as if I were putting you in a cell! - Vane sneers, and I laugh.
- That's not it, Vane.
- I know what you are trying to say.
- And you, have you been through this?
- Oh, yes! Mom and Dad thought it was funny too when I told them I was now free to do whatever I wanted," she says with a sad smile that infects me.
Our parents died when I was a child, and Vane became my guardian. Our luck is that our parents left us money and we didn't have to worry all our lives.
- You still miss them, don't you?
- Yes, and do you?
- Always - I confess.
- Well, enough sadness now - she takes out a bag that was hidden. I hadn't even realized.
- For me? - I ask, all happy.
- Yes, today is your birthday, my sister! - she gives me a hug. - Our parents would have been proud to see how beautiful and healthy you have grown.
- I miss them, Vane! - I feel the tears fall.
- I know, my sister, I know! - she strokes my cheek.
- Vane, they died too young.
- Yes," she wipes my tears, and I dry hers too.
- Well, let's change the subject!
- Yes, don't you want to know what you won?
- Of course I do! - she hands me the bag. When I open it, I am surprised.
- Maybe you didn't know, but every woman in our family keeps a diary. And Mom asked me to give you one on your eighteenth birthday if she were no longer here.
- Oh, Vane, I can't believe it, he's beautiful! - I say, sincerely. I never knew that all the women in the family kept a diary.
- Yes, he does! And now it's yours, Duda! - I hug her again.
- Today I'm going to start writing in it!
- How nice! Now, tell me what are you going to do today, on your birthday?
- Well, since I am of age, I am going to a party! And of course you are going with me!
- Duda, I just ask you to be careful, OK? - I nod, and she continues, "You are of age now, and it is not good to have a sister always by your side.
- Jesus, Vane! - I exclaim, looking at her shocked. - You are young and you have to go out.
- Duda, young lady, this is what we'll do: How about we go to dinner at the restaurant of your choice and after that you go to your club and I come back here, take a nice bath with a good glass of wine?
- Girl, you must go to the club with me! - I insist.
- No, Duda, I need to rest, and another thing: my work has been stressing me out a bit.
- I told you to get out of there!
- And you, young lady, it is time to go to school!
- But, Vane, I can't stand it anymore," I grumble.
- Duda, enjoy it, it's your last year!
- I know.
- So, what's bothering you?
- Honestly, I don't know. I want to finish my studies and take some time off.
- Duda, remember that I let you stay a few months without studying and only then you will go to college?
- I know, Vane. I have already decided that I am going to take Business Administration, and maybe one day we will start a business," I joke.
- And you don't want to work in a company, do you?
- God forbid!
- Now, come on, I'll take you to school and then I'll go to work.
- Alright! Let's go! - I end up giving in. I put my present on top of my little table, get my things and leave right behind Vanessa.
When Vane drops me off at school, I say goodbye to her and head for the classroom; as usual, there were already idiotic people in the classroom. The kids were such idiots and the girls only thought about boys.
- Well, well, if it isn't the hot Maria Eduarda - I hear the annoying voice of none other than Pedro, the asshole. Ever since he joined the school he has been tormenting me.
- Don't bother me, Pedro! - I answer without even looking at him. He is always bothering me, saying that I am hot. And of one thing I am sure: he says this just to make fun of me. The only thing I feel for him is disgust.
- Gee, I'm full of shit today! - he says, ironically. I honestly don't understand him at all. The guy is a complete asshole who only knows how to make my life hell.
- Pedro, you're not a good head case, are you?
- Oh, yes, I'm a head case, and I mean both! - he winks, and I look at him in disgust.
I leave him there talking to himself. I can't wait to go to the club and celebrate my birthday.
Soon some colleagues come up to me, wishing me a happy birthday and asking where I am going to celebrate.
- I want to go to the new nightclub that just opened, Devassa.
- Obaaa, I'm going too, and we can already celebrate your birthday, what do you think? - asks Adriana.
- Sure, it's a date! - I close our meeting with the girls. I feel like I'm being watched, and when I turn around I see that Pedro is looking at me. I don't like his gaze very much.

A few hours later...