Chapter 2 2

Bruna could still hear Adrian's voice echoing in her mind. She was a little sorry she'd started that phone conversation. It was something I should have done in person, seen his reaction. He went to the bathroom and brushed his teeth. He looked at himself in the mirror.

She was thin, as always, and she hated the bones in her skin. I ate very well, but never gained weight. The blue eyes seemed to get brighter as time went on. The straight blond hair was down the middle of her back. She hadn't cut since coming out of one of the treatments. She had promised herself that she would try to find more time to dedicate herself to the golden threads that she had never cared about.

And I was really trying to hydrate, cut the ends and keep them silky , in no way reminiscent of what they were in the past. She opened the cabinet and took out the various pill bottles and together them all in her right hand, swallowing in one go. The habit of taking a sip of water from the sink faucet didn't change, despite Angela's various recommendations and curses. She took the 10+ metal bracelets from her right hand and placed them on the counter.

Then the wide leather strap that covered the other wrist. He looked at the visible marks on the pale arms. He was not proud of having tried one day to take his own life. But he also knew that what hurt the most was the pain he had caused his mother and sister and not the fact that he had tried to take his own life. Little was said about it in the house.

Angela and Cassiane tried every way they could to make her forget that painful past for everyone. But the medications and the weekly appointments always reminded her. She already went to the doctors alone and although she was sick of the same consultations, she continued with the treatment, because she knew that Angela would never let her stop seeing her. But she was sure that she was fine and that she would not try to take her own life again.

Today she was happy with Adrian and satisfied with her life. That emptiness she felt and the feeling that something was missing was perhaps part of life. That's why she thought getting married could fulfill what she felt. Children would fill every empty space there was to think about anything. The doctors themselves had already said that she was fine. But maybe therapy was forever. Adrian completely changed his life.

He gave you the strength to go on, with his joy and willingness. She talked to him about all her feelings, so he knew that she should also tell him about her desire to anticipate life together. And just like that, looking up at the white ceiling and thinking about Adrian, she fell asleep.

Bruna woke up when the clock woke up for the third time, as it always did. She ran out of bed, took a quick shower, dressed in jeans and a white blouse and sneakers of the same color, grabbed her purse and ran out.

She returned to tie her hair in a ponytail. When he arrived in the kitchen Angela had her cup of coffee and a sandwich ready for her. Cassiane was on her way out too.

- Mom, you saved me. I was late again. - she said.

- And that doesn't happen every day? – Cassiane laughed picking up her bag and kissing her mother.

Bruna laughed. There was no way to discuss a truth like that. Cassiane gave him a smacking kiss on the forehead:

- Sleep well?

- If I say I wouldn't be lying... But I had a strange dream...

-You and Adrian getting married on a desert island? she asked laughing.

Bruno became serious. He hadn't given any importance to the dream, but at that moment, as he was about to tell it, it sounded a little strange to him:

- Can you believe I dreamed of a man I've never seen in my life?

- I believe... Dreams are dreams. - Cassian left.

- Mom, I also need to go. When you leave, you can leave the dishes and I'll wash everything when I arrive, I promise. – said Bruno.

- I'm going to work later today... Don't worry. I don't like that you always do everything in a hurry...

- It's okay, Mom... I think I'm eternally lazy.

- And... About your dream? How are you?

- Yeah, all right. I just thought it was weird. If I close my eyes, I see his image.

- Was it cute at least? - Angela laughed. "You said dream, not nightmare..."

Bruna laughed:

- Yes, he was handsome I think...

- Adrian, take care of yourself in your dreams... - Angela said laughing and giving Bruna a kiss, who left in a hurry.

When she walked out the door she looked at her wrists and saw she'd forgotten about her bracelets. He ran up the stairs and put them all back on his wrists. Okay, now I could go.

She was late to college, as usual. She sat next to Patricio, as she always did. He was very smart and helped her with almost everything that was proposed in class.

Sitting there, she looked at the teacher talking, but could barely pay attention or concentrate. She was always like that: she thought too much and all the time. And often I couldn't pay attention to what was happening in the moment. As she dangled the pen in her hand, she stopped, a little embarrassed, listening to the clatter of her own bracelets echoing in the room. And that was every day that college life. She wasn't even sure she wanted to do business administration. In fact, she didn't even know if she wanted to go to college, but Angela didn't give her the option to stay at home, so she was forced to choose a course to take. In fact, she just wanted to be with Adrian all the time.

- Bruna? How are you?

She looked at Patrick:

- What is it?

- Nothing... It's just that I've been calling you for some time and you don't answer me... - He said confused.

- Sorry... I didn't even notice. I think I was far. - she said smiling.

When she turned to Patricio, her eyes met Catita's, who was watching her intently.

- But what did you want, anyway? she asked.

- Will you meet Adrian today?

- Yes, we agreed to have lunch together.

- I would like you to tell him to come to my house tonight. I have some new games he's going to like.

She made a face of fake irritation:

- All right, let me know if I remember.

He laughed:

- This is the problem. You never remember to give my messages.

- I 'm sorry, Patricio... But I really forget. When we meet, we have so many things to talk about whenever I end up forgetting the messages. But I promise this time it will be different... He will enjoy the games. – she said, pinching her eye.

He laughed, certain that Bruna would not give the message to her friend.

The break time soon arrived. She went to the cafeteria to get some juice, as she was already hungry again. When he entered, he saw Catita and Maiquel sitting, having lunch. She pretended not to see them, grabbed her juice and headed out the other door so she wouldn't be noticed. Bruna couldn't stand Catita, but she pretended that everything was fine between the two of them. Maiquel was her best friend and faithful squire, so Bruna didn't like him either. As she tried to cut a path, Maiquel called out to her. She tried to pretend not to hear, but Patricio insisted on saying:

- Maiquel is calling you.

- Serious? I didn't even listen. she lied.

She went to them and Patricio accompanied her.

- Called me? she asked with the juice in her hand.

- Yes... I wanted to see if you'd like to keep us company. There's room for everyone here. - he said.

-I'm in a bit of a hurry... I have a test later and I need to study a little more during the break. she lied.

- I doubt you need to study... You always get good grades. he observed.

She looked at her watch:

- It's really not going to work today...

- Are you and Adrian going to see each other today? he asked.

- Yes, why? she asked suspiciously.

- If he didn't come I would invite her to have lunch together. - he said.

- But he comes...

- He went to the game yesterday. - said Catita ironically.

- Yes I know. He invited me, but I hate football.

- Yesterday the game was incredibly perfect. I bet you would love it. she said.

- You went? – Bruna asked incredulously.

- Of course... The boys know I'm crazy about football.

- I promise that next time I will. – Bruna said, trying not to show the anger she felt.

- Your boyfriend was very excited.

- Maybe, he loves watching the games in the stadium, doesn't he? Especially if his team wins. – she ventured without really knowing the outcome of the game.

- Yes, he was always a football lover... And other good things. she observed.

Bruna felt the glass tremble under her fingers. He took a deep breath and said:

- Yes really. But I'm really in a hurry, folks. Another time we talk better. - She said leaving without explanations.

Catita was stunning, as always. She was dark, with straight hair and large, bright green eyes. The skin always looked like it had just come off the beach. She had a rounded body, full breasts always shown in plunging necklines and impeccable makeup every day. She smelled of sensuality. Bruna could not deny the beauty of her fiancé's ex-girlfriend, although she found her a common type to find anywhere. And what irritated him the most about Catita was the confidence and security she had.