The Last Gorgon

My father had not heard from me for two weeks and, as much as I pretended not to care, my sullen face and sad look gave me away. He never stayed at home, because his mistresses outside were much more important than his daughter and his wife. It was so wonderful not to have him around, because his presence only made us feel bad,

however, it was also very sad not to have a father figure to love and protect you, since my father was a real asshole.

"I had to forget about it"

My bed was still hot, it became uncomfortable to continue lying there, but I let myself be consumed by that impertinent pain that ravaged my body. Laziness prevented my locomotion.

Being a sixteen-year-old girl, in the prime of her life, but that didn't reflect my reality, because my back hurt as if I were an elderly woman in her eighties.

The silence in my mind left me adrift. I got out of bed with difficulty, my movements were blocked as if I had run a marathon for three days,

totally limited, which made me realize that I was still sleepy from the poorly slept night. I went into the bathroom, took a shower and brushed my teeth that were yellower than gold implants, I wore the school uniform that was ready on top of my bed. I was the type of person who prepared everything a day in advance so there would be no delays,

I hated being late, I thought about putting on makeup too, I needed to look alive, even though I felt the opposite at the moment.

Today will be interesting, new school, new life, and I really need to make a good impression. But I didn't need a super production with so much stuff, it's not a party, it's just my first day of school and being honest,

I don't need makeup, because my appearance already gives the impression that I am, or rather, I feel makeup, because my white skin is almost pink on the cheeks giving an air of blush, my eyes and black hair formed my own natural makeup. I finished getting ready, taking one last look in the mirror and went down to the living room.

- Good Morning,

daughter? Coffee is on the table - My mother said when she saw me coming down the stairs.

- Good Morning! I replied despondently.

I put my backpack behind the chair to sit at the table, and be able to have my coffee normally, I looked at the clock and saw that it was fifteen minutes before the bus passed.

- How are the expectations for the first day of school? - She asked excitedly, it looked like she would be the rookie in my place.

- Then, if I could, I would stay in my bed, but what can I do, right? I moaned, resting my chin under my arm on top of the table.

My mother was a little stagnant with my revelation,

which almost made me laugh at her big wide eyes, she tried to regain her composure to maybe convey her excitement to me.

"It's part of it," she replied dryly, seeming to have given up trying to exude euphoria, which I was grateful for. I can't stand electric people in the morning, where did they get so much energy?

"Has Dad heard from you?" I asked out of mere habit and not because I needed to.

"No, and I'm glad of it," she said, all traces of contentment returning to her face.

Whenever I spoke about Dad, Mom went into a traumatic state. But at that moment she seemed to experience a mixture of feelings such as joy and sadness.

- When he shows up, you call me - I got up from the table and grabbed my backpack from behind the chair to head towards the door, stopping just for a moment - In fact, no. When he appears, I don't want to know - I said coldly going to my mother to kiss her on the forehead - Bye!

"Have a great first day of school, darling," he wished.

I was waiting for the school bus in front of the house. He was always right by 6:40 am, maybe just a minute or two late. The driver stopped for me and I got on quickly, seeing a fair amount of people sitting up front,

I went to the back of the vehicle where there were still a few empty seats. I sat in the third to last chair on the left row, grabbed my headphones and without wasting time, putting them on to listen to my favorite songs,

I lifted the hood of my sweatshirt over my head and leaned against the window, relaxing the entire way.

After half an hour we were arriving at the school, when I went down I went to the entrance courtyard, the people present there looked at me strangely and shamelessly,

which made me wonder if it was the fact that I was new or if there was something really weird about me, I don't know. The more I walked, the more people stared, I think I screwed up my makeup really badly, that was the only explanation for it. They must have thought I was a clown with that awful hair and that rough paint on my face,

but I have a credit, I don't know how to make up and I don't even have the patience to watch tutorials.

Going straight down the hall, I needed to stop by the principal's office to receive the lesson plan and be able to get to my new classroom before the first hour rang.

I stop in front of a brown door with the board sign.

- Good Morning,

director! I can enter? I knocked on the door which was half open.

- You may come in! said the director sitting behind the desk.

- I'm Martina Leoni, the new third year student, I wanted to know about my class.

- Oh yes! - She said, looking for my name on the list that was on top of her desk - her room is 13B. You're out of a closet too, aren't you?

"Yes," I confirmed, if she didn't ask me she wouldn't even remember to ask for a locker.

"We'll arrange that for you," she assured her, handing me my lesson plan.

"Okay, excuse me." I left the room, closing the door.

⁂

After going around practically the entire school looking for my room, I found the class she told me about, 13B, almost on the top floor,

Seriously, I hate stairs. Where's the elevator? Three flights of stairs can only be a joke, panting, I stop at the open door.

"You are welcome, Miss. Leoni. My name is Meriz, I'm a Portuguese teacher. - said the teacher sitting at the table, who got up to introduce herself to me - Come in!

"Good morning, Professor," I replied politely.

- Come here, I'll introduce you to the class - She accompanied me until she was facing the students - Class, this is Martina Leoni, she will be your new classmate. Welcome!

- Welcome! - everyone said as discouraged as I was.

- Thanks! - I replied shyly, worse than that is when they make us introduce ourselves.

The school likes to traumatize its students.

"Sit down and make yourself comfortable," Professor Meriz said.

I sat at the back of the room in the last vacant chair. I managed to hear a few whispers that I'm sure were about me, after all I was new at that school.

I pretended not to listen and tried to pay attention in class as the teacher explained about the four types of grammar.

The hours went by so fast that I almost didn't realize that I already had three more classes after Portuguese, I was exhausted, I needed to eat and like music in my ears I hear the bell ring indicating the break. I get up excited

the best part has arrived.

On the way to the canteen, students opened their lockers to store their backpacks. I remembered that I don't have a locker, but the principal promised that she would get one for me. Out of nowhere I feel a hand pulling me by the backpack strap, I turn and see a boy still holding my backpack.

"I can keep it for you with my things,

if you want, of course," he suggested, trying to pull my backpack off my shoulder.

"More than kind boy, doesn't even know me and seems to be so helpful."

He had slicked-back hair and those huge round glasses that made him look like a nerd, which he did justice to since he looked like he was super smart.

I think it'll be nice to make friends with a nerd, we never know when we'll need their favors in an activity like math.

"Okay," he said, handing over my bag.

He put my backpack in his locker next to his perfectly organized stuff. I hope the director doesn't take too long to give me a locker,

I don't feel good having to ask someone to store my things every day.

I said goodbye to the boy and went to the cafeteria line waiting for lunch, holding my empty tray. Evaluating the whole place, I saw a boy who kept looking at me, he seemed to stare at me with ulterior motives,

he must be attracted to my hideous makeup. I wasn't wearing anything too much to draw so much attention, I was just wearing my school uniform and a long-sleeved sweatshirt over it, which is from the institution itself. The guy was extraordinarily hot.

"What is he seeing in me?"

I checked around to see that the stares weren't for someone else, but there was no one next to me, so indeed the stares were for me. I took my tray and placed it on the aluminum self-serve table and walked over to sit at the only empty table.

The boy who was looking at me approached me and placed his tray on top of my table. I didn't understand anything.

"What's gotten into this kid?"

"Hi, are you new around here?" "He brought up the subject.

"Yes, it's my first day of school," I say, pulling my hands under the table.

- What is your name?

- Martina and yours?

- Rodrigo,

at your service." He made a chivalrous gesture that automatically gave me a small fit of giggles.

"You're so clueless," I whisper, but he shrugs as if he's heard, which causes us to laugh together like two fools.

- Clueless is a nickname, but tell me what you do in your day to day?

- Well, I like to watch series and...

- Films? ' He cut me off.

"I watch it from time to time." I don't like it very much, I like stories with long durations - I confessed.

"Hmm, interesting." He smiled.

"Have you seen "The Walking Dead" yet?

- Oh no. I say, noting the shock on his face. - I don't like macabre series, actually,

I'm finishing the second season of "Thirteen Reasons Why".

"So you think the series about the girl who slits her own wrists in a bathtub is less macabre than the series about zombies?" He arched an eyebrow questioningly.

- I think the series about the girl who cuts her own wrists in the bathtub has a more interesting context than a bunch of undead eating human flesh - I simplified - don't you think?

"Maybe you're right," she admitted.

"I'm always right," I replied, staring at him.

He raised his eyebrows in surprise at my audacity and realized that it would be difficult to beat me in arguments. My mother used to say that she doesn't know where I got this personality of trying to control everything and everyone.

- Do you like books? - Rodrigo continued to be even more interested in meeting me.

"Is this an interrogation?" Yes it is,

I like Greek mythology - I say, pulling a half smile from her lips.

- Wow, what a phenomenon she is! - he joked - Do you like music?

"Yes, I love Bon Jovi.

- Serious? - She said widening her eyes - Damn how angry! And I will love you baby

always," he whispered excitedly, suddenly starting to sing loudly, not caring how much attention he was bringing, a big madman, obviously, but the Bon Jovi song "Always" suited his voice well. At first I was a little embarrassed and embarrassed, but he was making a chapel just for me.

- Go,

sing! He encouraged me by taking my hand.

- And I'll be there forever anda day - not to resist so we can end with... - Always!

Everyone was looking at us strangely. We try to disguise it and go back to eating our lunch based on laughter, the sandwiches that were hot before, now almost cold and untouchable on the plates.

I spent a long time admiring that boy in front of me. Rodrigo is dark, has an easy smile, a square and handsome face, his hair is black and short making him look a lot like those little daddy's kids who ride skateboards.

"I wonder if he's a skater?"

Like me,

he couldn't take those beautiful pairs of hydrangea blue eyes off me as he ate his almost cold mix. I tried to disguise the atmosphere that was going on, but the interest of both there was undeniable.

The sound of the newly switched on TV brought me out of my daydreams,

I see the cafeteria aunt sit in the chair with a control turning up the volume to watch the newspaper. That was the worst thing she could have done that day, at least for me.

The journalist's voice invaded the canteen reporting.

"A body was found in a ravine near a railroad track.

The documents found at the scene identified the possible victim as Saulo Leoni, a promoter of an aviation company..."

I got up from the table abruptly, not believing what my eyes were seeing and my ears heard. Little by little my mind erased the voice of the presenter who reported the newspaper.

"What is happening?",

was all I could think of.

I was stunned, floorless, my eyes kept streaming tears. Soon I felt dizzy and my stomach began to reject the snack I had eaten. I ran to the bathroom closest to the cafeteria and threw up in the first toilet I saw. It was my father who was being reported on TV,

his body was found and it was on that damn TV, it was my goddamn father. I couldn't understand my reactions. I was supposed to be happy and relieved that now finally my mother would have peace, we would have peace, but I don't know what was happening to me.

I was anguished and sick over the death of the man who had tortured my mother and me my entire life.

- Martina! Martina! - I hear Rodrigo's voice behind me - Are you okay? - He asked worried - What happened? -he said bending down to be at my height, I hugged him and hid in his chest crying and unable to stop sobbing

. - What happened? What happened? he said, getting even more worried.

"The body, advertised on TV...was my p...dad's," I answered with difficulty.

- I am really sorry. Shiu, I'm here. I won't leave you alone, okay? he promised as he smoothed my hair.

I nodded, feeling safer in that warm embrace.

He hugged me tightly and without ceasing to caress the back of my neck followed by a kiss on the forehead. I remembered my mother and if this news reached her, she must have been devastated.

- I need to go see my mother, she must be in terrible shape. Surely she already knows - I got up with difficulty from the floor due to the dizziness that had consumed me,

But I needed to get out of the bathroom as soon as possible.

"I can take you home if you prefer," suggested Rodrigo.

"No, you don't. I'll take the bus, you must be full of problems, I don't want to get involved with mine - I waved it off.

- I insist, I will not let you go home alone in this state. Comes,

I'll take you - He insisted taking my hand, leading to the exit.

We left the bathroom, hugging, finding a group of onlookers who were at the door watching us. We went to the board to ask for permission to leave, I explained the whole situation, she understood and signed my release, but not before wishing me condolences.

Rodrigo guided me to his car, which was parked in the school's garage. When he activated the key alarm I could see a luxury red Ferrari flashing its headlights. That's when I found out that the little guy next to me was not a simple boy, but a very rich sugar daddy's boy. Nothing said about it

at that moment what mattered to me was getting home in a hurry. I sped up my steps while Rodrigo opened the passenger door for me, I got into the car that was super spacious, there was no way I could not notice the exaggerated luxury that was inside, Rodrigo got in, then, taking the direction we left the parking lot.

We were very close to each other, but due to the situation he tried to hide his interest in me, seeing that it wasn't the moment. When I arrived at my house with Rodrigo I noticed that the weather was unusual, my mother was sitting on the sofa with her head down. Rafael, a friend of the family,

he was consoling her and being very helpful by serving her a glass of sugared water.

- Martina, my dear! - Rafael hugged me briefly - Aren't you going to introduce me to the boy?

- This is Rodrigo, a new friend I met at school and Rodrigo, this is Rafael, a family friend - I introduced them mutually and they shook hands - Martina,

I think you already know... -Rafael was unable to say.

- From my father? I assumed.

"I'm sorry," he whined, pulling me into a tight hug.

- How is she? I asked about my mother.

- She looks terrible, she doesn't react, she doesn't say anything, she doesn't show any reaction.

"How did she know?" - I asked,

analyzing the best way to approach her.

"The police came here, they asked a lot of questions. Looks like it was a murder - he summed up, distressed, I knew it wasn't easy for him to see my mother in that situation.

I was shocked by what I had just heard, I could hardly react.

At that moment I couldn't feel sorry for my father's death, I would say that it became a relief and not a regret.

Din-don, din-don... the bell rang.

"Let me get it," Rafael said, heading toward the door.

I could hear small murmurs from a man who introduced himself as a policeman talking to Rafael, the conversation was short

. Rafael closed the door and in his hands he held a large white folder, his face was rigid and making me anxious for his explanation.

'Was it the police?' What did they want? What is that? - I filled Rafael with questions, all of which still seemed very confusing to me.

"Yes, they gave me the death scan. It seems,

Saulo was really murdered, they also said that Saulo was with a... whore, the night he died - Rafael said in a shy tone for fear of my mother listening.

Hearing that in the presence of an unknown person was something shameful and depressing, especially for my mother,

but I didn't expect anything less from that piece of shit I call a father, since he never had emotional responsibility for his family.

Suddenly my mother, who despite her lethargic state managed to assimilate Rafael's information, began to scream desperately, whimpering in tears to then pass out on top of a lamp.

- Mom? I yelled.

"Pilar, Pilar... wake up!" - Rafael shouted desperately - We need to call a doctor!

"Mummy, wake up!" - I shouted in tears - She doesn't react, my God! - I noticed that a light amount of blood was oozing from her head, which did not stop me from panicking - Help! Her head is bleeding! Mommy!

The blood flowed through my fingers, while I felt her head in an attempt to stop it, however, I was more terrified and not knowing what to do.

"We can take you to the doctor in my car. My family doctor is great,

he'll take care of her case - Rodrigo suggested, already lifting my mother's inert body in his arms and heading towards the door.

- It must be expensive, we don't have money to pay a doctor - I explained, while trying to reach him.

- Don't worry, I'll pay for everything - he said in a delicate tone - The important thing is to take your mother to the doctor.

Rodrigo ran with my mother in his arms to his car. I opened the door and sat in the back passenger seat, with a towel in hand and adjusted it on my legs, waiting for Rodrigo to finish putting my mother lying down with her bloodied head in my lap. Once again our faces were very close, however,

again it was neither time nor place for such an approximation.

I hear the roar of the engine growl and concentrate on holding the towel to my mother's face.

"Is it going to take long to get there?" - I asked to break the tense silence that enveloped the whole car and I also needed to stay active to ease my agony.

- Not,

we'll be there in five minutes," he replied trying to calm me down, his gaze in the rearview mirror was soft and serene.

Rodrigo drummed again, fingers on the steering wheel, showing that despite his simple face, he was anxious. Rafael, he has always been very close to my mother for as long as I can remember. So it will never be a surprise to see you around,

Out of the corner of my eye I watch him in the passenger seat, his attention on the watch on his wrist, whose fingers are constantly swiping across the screen. Exasperated, he loosened his shirt collar as if he were short of breath, an act that did not go unnoticed by Rodrigo.

- Are you okay? Rodrigo asked, dividing his attention from the road to Rafael.

- Yes I'm fine.

Just a little nervous about this whole situation - he replied running his hands through his straight hair.

"Rafa, are you really all right?" I insist, worried.

- Yes my dear. - He said turning to me - Don't worry, it's okay, my princess - He tries to reassure me, but the smile on his face didn't reach his eyes.

Rafael is very close to my mother. He was a very good friend of her family, and my father never liked the closeness of the two, he even went so far as to accuse my mother of being unfaithful, as if he had any morality to accuse her. But what to expect from my father, after all, he was a sick hypocrite, despite that,

Rafael and my mother never let their friendship be shaken because of this.

⁂

We arrived at the hospital where Rodrigo's family doctor worked. The car was parked at the entrance, Rodrigo got out of the vehicle, leaning against my passenger window.

"Hold on, I'm going to talk to Doctor Soriano."

He's going to send his team to come get her - he said calmly - Stay here with them, I'll be back in a moment - he asked Rafael, who was already getting out of the car to accompany him.

I see Rodrigo rushing into the hospital, giving a perfect view of his beautiful ass as he runs. Focused on the man who disappeared at the entrance door,

I hear my mother pronounce random words indicating that she is starting to delirious in my lap, I didn't know what else to do, her head was still bleeding leaving the blue towel completely soaked. I needed to do something, so I looked up and saw Rafael holding a bottle of water, lifting it to his mouth.

"Give me that water bottle!" I asked Rafael, who handed it to me without understanding what he was about to do.

I looked around the car and saw Rodrigo's shirt, ripping it in two. I threw some water on the cloth and passed it with light movements on his head to clean the excess blood in almost the entire region, and then

I put the other part with Rafael's help over the wound to stop the bleeding. Anxious, I turn in the direction that Rodrigo had gone and I see him returning with that Doctor Soriano and three more nurses who are bringing a stretcher.

- Thank my god! I said thank you, clasping my hands together.

"Get her!" - ordered the doctor to the nurses - What's the patient's name?

"Pilar Viana Leoni," I replied, trying to stand my ground in the face of medical help.

- OK!

The nurses took my mother out of the car and put her on the gurney, and proceeded inside the hospital.

"Miss, are you related to the patient?"

- Yes, I am a daughter.

- You need to go register with your mother's information while we try to contain the bleeding from the cut, don't worry your mother will have a great treatment here.

"Thank you, Doctor!" - I thanked her, breathing tenderly in relief to see that she was finally being attended to.

- It's gonna be okay,

your mother is in better hands now," Rodrigo comforted me.

- I need to make arrangements for my father's wake, but I don't want to leave you alone.

- I can keep her, that's the time you can sort things out for the wake - Rafael agreed - Don't worry, I'll register Pilar.

"Oh no, I don't want to bother you," I say awkwardly,

Rafael was always a great friend and I never saw him away from our family.

- No trouble at all, I insist - he said, ruffling my hair - Go Martina, I'll take care of your mother.

- I'm going with you, I want to help you - Rodrigo offered, grabbing my hand.

- It is not necessary. You've done too much for me today, I don't even know how to thank you.

I'm just a stranger and you helped me. Thank you so much... really from the heart. I promise I'll refund you all the money spent on my mother's hospital expenses. I'll pay tintin for tintin - I guaranteed.

"Imagine, you don't have to pay me anything." I did it gladly and I really enjoyed meeting you,

I would do even more if I had it within my reach - he said in a sweet and smooth voice, making me extremely silly with all the attention I was receiving.

"Thank you, but I insist on paying for everything." I'll do it my way, but I'll pay you. I prefer not to owe anyone anything.

"You must be so proud,

Oh really? she questioned arching one of her eyebrows.

Those words made me stop for a moment and look at him with different eyes, a more intense, serene and even admirable look, but I still maintained my pride.

"Okay, okay, guys. I don't want to be a spoilsport, but you should go now. Leave it to flirt later,

beauty? - Rafael said, leaving towards the reception to register my mother in the hospital wing.

- Leave it to Rafael, I'll accompany our dear Martina...

"Put her in here," the doctor's voice interrupted us.

The nurses who took my mother to the emergency room brought her to a very fancy room and put her to bed. We had no news, but she already had a bandage.

- Thank you, you can leave and ask Vera to come here! - The doctor dismissed the nurses while he assessed my mother's condition.

The three of us stayed outside the room as per hospital regulations, but from a distance you could see my entire distress. The doctor asked us to wait and then closed the door, which made me more anxious, not knowing anything, not being aware of her condition, just waiting.

Rodrigo hugged me just like he had in the bathroom at school.

- It's going to be okay - he whispered only for me to hear - The most complicated part is over, now, stay calm.

We held each other for a long time, but Rafael, who was sitting in the waiting chair, his head resting between his knees, looked very downcast,

I knew how hard it was for him to see his friend in that state, so I went over to give him a hug.

- Thanks for everything - I thanked him, Rafael was like a father to me and seeing how hurt he was made me sad.

The nurse, called by the doctor, entered my mother's room and my heart began to flutter with anxiety.

I bit the bottom of my lip and took a deep breath to try to remain calm, unsuccessfully getting up from the chair.

"Can you stop going around in circles?" This is going to make me sick - Rodrigo said as he got up from the armchair - Calm down, Martina, please! Come, sit here with me.

A few minutes later I see Doctor Soriano leave the room with the nurse. I promptly get up and walk towards her.

- Excuse me. said Nurse Vera when she noticed our presence and then left.

- All. we said in unison.

- So doctor, how is my mother?

- The patient is stable, it was nothing serious,

just a cut from the blow she took, but we'll dress her up again and tomorrow she can go home.

Relieved by the confirmation that it was nothing serious, I collapse in the armchair, my concern in that hospital was clear. I never liked hospitals, so many people moving to and fro and,

you still have my father's death and the wake things to prepare. There are so many things going through my mind right now that I don't even know how I'm still standing.

⁂

After being able to see my mother for at least a few minutes, I was able to remain calm in solving the problems that Saulo left me even after he died. Rafael remained in the hospital with my mother.

She had received the bandages, she was well and resting, which was a blessing in the midst of all the confusion that will occur today. Deep breathing was becoming my new mantra.

In the car on the way home, I ended up dozing, I didn't even see it when we got to my house. Just when Rodrigo started touching my face gently, as he called out to me.

I open my eyes to find a beautiful pair of sapphire blue irises shimmering under the streetlights as if it were my own private sky.

"So beautiful!"

- It's a shame to have met you like this, but it was still an immense pleasure - lamented - Martina Leoni,

was a pleasure to meet you! she whispered, tucking a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.

- I'm sorry, I wish I had met you on another occasion.

- Don't be sorry, you're not to blame for anything. It happens, but you don't seem to be sad about your father's death. You didn't have a good relationship, I presume?

- Yes,

you're right - he said, lowering his head - In fact, Saulo was the worst father in the world, a true monster... I hate him even when he's dead, I hate him for all the harm he's done to me and my mother. For the countless physical and psychological aggressions he did to her, for the countless betrayals she had to endure,

for everything he meant to both of us. And the worst of all is that he liked to do it, I could see in his face the satisfaction of disgracing our lives - I vented to Rodrigo and tears streamed down my eyes remembering everything he did.

Rodrigo just listened, seemed to understand,

he placed his hand on my chin and gently lifted my head until our eyes met.

"You are the most beautiful girl I have ever seen in my life. she commented, stroking my chin with her thumb. - And I believe that not even in other lives will there be someone as beautiful as you. she said as she slid her finger across my lips,

while approaching his face to mine in a clear sign that he was about to kiss me.

"He's going to kiss me, he's going to kiss me! What do I do, ahh?!"

"No, please stop!" - I asked, placing my hand on his chest - It's not the time, my father is dead, my mother is in the hospital and... I just met you! I said, changing my voice a little.

Rodrigo tasted the lips, in a tempting way that I almost forgot why that moment felt so wrong, running his hands through his black hair, appearing to be frustrated and, at the same time, a little terrible for the situation.

- Need to go. - I comment as I unlock the doorknob, he needed to get out of the car.

- Goodbye,

Martina! His soft voice makes me stop and want to study his face.

"Bye and thanks for everything!" I thanked you once more.

- It was nothing, I would do it all over again and with the greatest pleasure. -he gave a huge smile, showing all his white teeth - See you around!

Rodrigo started the engine and in a loud roar his Ferrari disappeared around the corner.

Those words enchanted me and the sweet way they addressed me made my heart flutter. With a goofy smile on my face, I turned away.

With short steps I arrive at the front door of the house, when I unlock it I go straight until I reach the sofa, sitting down I go over the whole conversation with Rodrigo. I was thoughtful about him, because like it or not,

he was a true angel in these difficult times. That boy attracted me in an inexplicable way, he managed to leave me radiating happiness for a long time. However, his presence was no longer there and, facing all my fears,

I picked up the phone on the table in the living room and called the infernal relatives to arrange the final preparations for my father's wake.

⁂

Finally it was dawn and the day to bury Saulo definitively in our lives had arrived. Was it cruel? But that's all I could feel after everything he'd done. I didn't want to wear black clothes.

Because I don't feel like I should be grieving, and yes, I see this whole situation as a real deliverance. So I'm wearing a beautiful pink dress as a huge affront to my dear papa and my most dignified paternal family who are all there - my grandparents, uncles and aunts - with the most washed-out faces in the world.

"A Bunch of Hypocrites"

They knew exactly what my father did with my mother, and they still supported him. I couldn't even bear to look at them, I could only feel contempt for all these people and I know it was totally mutual. When they saw me in the pink flared dress, the scowls they gave made it clear I never belonged to that family.

From this nest of bloodthirsty vipers, the only one who was saved was my cousin Paul - son of my aunt Augusta -, a sweet and nice boy, apart from him, but nobody.

Every minute there increased the anxiety to look at my father for the last time, however, the coffin was sealed, making it impossible to spill all my neglect looking in his face.

Strange why, since they rarely closed the coffins before ending the wake.

"Why is Daddy's coffin sealed?" I asked as they approached the group of snakes.

- The conditions in which Saulo was found did not allow for such exposure, my dear - My grandmother replied in a hoarse and sinister voice,

his eyes were fixed on me, saying something I couldn't interpret, but it wasn't a good thing.

"Damn it!"

Upset, I leave the nest, I really wanted to say goodbye to my father in a very satisfactory way. Once I'm out of the house, I await the arrival of my mother - who, around nine o'clock at night - arrived with Rafael from the hospital.

The theater started the moment they saw her, when my relatives got out of the car they went to hug her in the greatest falsehood, it seemed that they never did anything wrong to her, or that they never pretended not to see my father's cruelties.

A real circus would define it better, the stupidity of the people who threatened my mother so that she wouldn't report it disgusted me.

I couldn't stand seeing so much cynicism and dissimulation anymore, so I left the room, going to the kitchen to get a glass of water. That whole situation was too much for me, but I can't be rude at my great father's wake, despite the fact that he was never really a father.

The night would be long, it would be full of weeping and wailing, but not on my part.

.

⁂

The next day everyone was preparing for the burial. Rafael was still consoling my mother, who was having another crying spell while I was comforting my cousin.

Ready, the long-awaited march began. My paternal uncles and some neighbors carried the coffin on their shoulders and so we went for the last goodbye.

Several people known to my father were crying, a real show of whimpering and throughout the journey I only carried a rose that was completely alien to me.

Arriving at my father's tombstone, the priest would start with the boring directives and tributes to the deceased before burying.

Enjoying the view of the place,

that although it was a place of pain, there was a lot of color and harmony. Several ipês adorned the place, their multicolored flowers bathed the green grass in pinks, yellows and formerly lilacs. The rose bushes and magnolias brought a unique delicacy, and everything there conveyed peace.

The priest's voice sounded distant,

but still I hear him call my father an honorable man, a family man and an exemplary husband. Which reminds me of the many times that Saulo was a family man and an exemplary husband within our home. Once my father came home drunk, messy, stinking of cachaça and making out with a prostitute.

All this in front of my mother without any respect or emotional responsibility. After all, I was a child at the time, and to hear my father humiliate my mother in the cruelest way ever, even going so far as to compare the whore in question as a superior woman to my mother was too much for me.

That day they argued ugly,

finishing only with a punch that the exemplary husband threw in his face. My mother stayed for about five days with purple skin and a cut in the corner of her mouth - which had stained her entire blouse with blood - and then she took the whore to the couple's room. This room, where he slept with my mother and without feeling any remorse,

at least for the unforgivable aggression. My mother collapsed right there. And oddly enough, that was nothing compared to the years that came later.

I thought there was no way Saulo could be any more monstrous than that day, however,

when I grew up he managed to overcome himself in the scrotice doing something I never imagined that such dirt came from my own father. I feel someone approaching from behind, but I don't move. A strong hand touches my shoulder, which makes me turn around automatically - it was Rodrigo -, he was wearing dark glasses, a black suit and holding an umbrella in his left hand.

black rain. He looked like a character created to play an agent from the MIB movie - The Men in Black, I had to hold back the laughter because he was very funny, although he exuded confidence.

"What's he doing here?"

- Hi, Martina! I came to deliver his backpack that you left with Herbert. he said, handing over the backpack.

"Herbert?! Is that boy's name? Funny, I left my backpack in his locker and we didn't even introduce ourselves - I pointed out taking the backpack from his hand.

- He kept it with great affection, I believe everything is intact. But see there? - he said urging me to check my backpack.

- Yes it is - searching everything - How did you find me? I asked the analysand from top to bottom.

- Yeah... well, a little bird told me you'd be here paying your last respects to your father - he mocked - I hope I haven't done anything crazy. he confessed, moving closer to me until we were together under the umbrella.

- Just don't spit in the coffin, because it's sealed and obvious so you don't risk going to hell as an excommunicate - I admitted when I looked again at the place where the priest was conducting the ceremony.

- Our! You really are a motherfucker - he joked and we laughed together - How is Dona Pilar? - He asked when he saw my mother desolate at the same moment that she received a hug from Rafael.

- She's fine, as far as possible - I commented when I saw my mother so small in that hug, but she's strong, so without having any more doubts I said: - She'll be fine

, be sure about it. My mother has been through a lot in this life, Saulo's death is the lesser of evils.

"Since your father's funeral is all right for you," Rodrigo said, looking me up and down,

pointing with his eyes at the fact that I was not dressed appropriately for mourning - Why don't we finish where we left off? He came closer and closer, closing the mere space between us.

His woody scent invaded me, anesthetizing my senses, his hand lifted until it touched my chin.

My breathing is uneven and my eyes fall on his lips - admiring - demonstrating an immense desire to kiss them. But when I raise my eyes, to meet the sea that are his eyes, I see the question that asked me for permission to go ahead.

- Huh?! I clear my throat, trying to form the words that don't want to be said.

"Because this is not the time or place for it." I immediately removed his hand from my chin. "Thanks for giving me back my backpack, and thank Herbert for me.

- OK. I won't insist, but I won't give up either - He subpoenaed slowly moving away. "Give my regards to your mother." Even Martina!

As Rodrigo walked to the exit,

I noticed that I was a little disappointed that things didn't turn out the way he wanted, but maybe one day I can reward him. A thin scream echoes in the environment catching my attention, my grandmother was trying to cling to the coffin begging them to leave her son there a little longer. The scene was regrettable, but Saulo didn't deserve all that attention.

They lowered my father's coffin. I dropped my backpack to the ground and walked over to the grave. And as tradition dictates, I took a handful of earth, and with all the hatred and strength I threw it in the grave as a sign of revolt. The freedom in me was swayed by my mother, and finally I broke the whole rose by throwing it harder,

returning for the first and last time all the harm that Saul did to us.

Leaving there desolate and in tears, my mother grabbed me by the arm to scold me when I was going to pick up my backpack from the floor.

- Daughter? What was this? It's your father's grave...

- What the hell! - I interrupted her - That wasn't a father,

it was a monster and you know it! I will not be part of this joke! I released my arm from his hand, grabbing my backpack and heading towards the cemetery exit.

After a week of mourning, which I didn't care to live through, I went back today for what would be my second day of school. It was amazing how all the students at school couldn't stop giving me the darkest eyes they had the first day.

"Will it always be like this every day or only when some tragedy happens in my family?"

I walk, exhausted from all that unnecessary attention, determined to avoid them, I walk through the garden that gives access to the second staircase of the building. Under the tree to my left was Rodrigo with that beautiful coquettish smile, while he was reviewing with his friends. When he saw me, I could see the exact moment his eyes lit up.

In order not to notice that I was watching him while walking, I diverted my eyes to another place and, again, changed my route.

"That boy is not for me"

Rodrigo belonged to a world totally opposite of mine, he needed to find a girl that was up to him.

Who was rich and had the same standard of beauty as the preppy girls who were in the schoolyard. I wasn't even that girl, so deciding to avoid possible and future disappointments in love, I ignored her call. But I felt the presence of someone following me, I had no doubt who it would be, however,

I turned around to confirm that it was Rodrigo coming after me. I quickened my steps trying to get away from him, which only encouraged him to run to catch up with me before I reached my destination.

- Wait one moment! he said breathlessly as he grabbed my arm, forcing me to stop walking. "Why is he running away from me?" - asked suspiciously

.

"Because I'm in a hurry!" - She said releasing me from her grip and walking again.

"Wait, let's talk!" - She insisted standing in front of me.

"We'll talk later, okay?" Now I'm head over heels for that. - I said without patience, his persistence was commendable, but it was frustrating not being able to avoid him.

- OK,

But I won't give up on you that easily. You fight to get rid of me! He started screaming putting his hands around his mouth as if he was talking into a megaphone, then ran back to his friends.

He's unbelievable, how would he control the sensations if he doesn't disengage. At least he didn't see that I laughed in his face,

for it would give more string to his pursuit. But I think deep down I like to see him running after me, it was like a challenge.

"I think I'll take advantage of this a little bit to play around a bit."

⁂

The classroom was more like a desert, it was so empty. Most of the students had not yet arrived or even entered,

not even the teacher had given a sign of life. I sat in the same chair as the first day, put my backpack on the desk, and using it as a pillow, I tried to relax while the class didn't start.

In a matter of minutes the bell rang pulling me out of my wonderful nap,

I run my hands over my face to wipe away any traces of drool. I see a loud crowd of students enter the room so discouraged that they looked like a crowd that had just seen their favorite team lose and soon after the teacher entered, making a huge contrast with the class,

for he had a huge grin on his face from ear to ear. She should be a rookie, rookies are always like that, warm.

- Good morning, class! Ready for another day of school? she asked excitedly. The teacher saw me there, at the back of the room and I crossed my fingers that she wouldn't call me. - MS. Leoni? "She called me."

immediately awakening the panic of having to go up front and face all these strange people, please don't be like that. - My condolences, I hope all is well with you and your family.

- Thanks. It's okay, yes! I answered in a melodious voice,

I couldn't break her expectation by identifying my fucking condolences on her father's death.

"Well, I propose we begin the lesson." Drive away all sadness, because today we will have trigonometry! - She said changing the subject, and distributing all her non-contagious euphoria.

The teacher wrote the new topic on the whiteboard.

I was opening my backpack to get my notebook and pen when suddenly I felt a light tap on my head and from the noise it made, I deduced that someone had thrown a ball of paper. I looked back and a bad-looking girl waved her hands at me. She had a beautiful pair of green eyes.

fair and her curly hair was blond with two streaks dyed pink and black at the nape of her neck, she looked like a doll, although her nose rings and eyebrows - she had the biggest maloqueira face - screamed the opposite.

"I heard your father died. He was beheaded, wasn't he? Poor you, right? She was born so unlucky.

She teased me with a mocking look. - What a pity, I have a pity, you know?

I didn't understand why this crazy person started passively attacking me out of nowhere, since I didn't do anything to her, I don't even know her. I decided not to fall for her provocations, returning to my position, and keeping silent.

If she knew that my father's death was a release for me, maybe the conversation would be different or it wouldn't even exist.

- Will not answer me? Ownt, are you still suffering from daddy's death or is it? "She was determined to drive me crazy.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath,

seeking the calm that was starting to wear off before turning to face her.

"What do you want with me, huh?" I asked through clenched teeth, almost losing patience.

- I saw you and Rodrigo earlier today. They told me that the two of you were together the day you found out that your dad died. I'm just going to give you a warning girl,

stay away from my boyfriend or you will have a lot of problems here, am I clear? - She threatened me in the biggest face.

- Wow, look how scared I am, come on, I'm shaking all over, look! I mocked, simulating shaking my hands.

"You're warned, then don't say otherwise. - She said with a very serious and dark face.

- Whoa! Calm down

, girl, I don't even know you, so put that ball down. I mocked once more, losing all patience.

- Hey?! - The teacher complained, which made me automatically pull myself together - You two, deep down, it's not time for small talk. - She complained - I'm going to start the call, be silent, because I won't repeat it!

At school roll call I found out that my so-called rival is called Rebecca.

⁂

The school bell rang indicating break, she needed to eat, although she wasn't hungry at the moment. Packing my things to leave the room when that Rebecca brutally and purposely bumped into me,

I was speechless with the lack of education of that girl.

"My God! What a rude girl"

I leave the room stunned by what just happened, high school is always shit, but this one would win the prize.

"Are you going to keep running from me?" Rodrigo appeared at my side.

- Not,

Do you want to go with me to the canteen? I asked, extending my hand for him to hold.

- Clear. I was about to invite him," he replied, amazed and his eyes sparkled immediately.

All the way to the cafeteria, Rebecca had her eyes following us. We took the line to choose our lunch and finally sat together at an empty table in the back,

left of the hall. That was intentional on my part, I wanted to tease her to show that I'm not afraid of anything that comes from her.

I noticed from afar that the girl was furious just because of the way she held the fork tightly, I didn't even want to imagine what she would do with that fork if I was in front of her.

I really am a person who laughs in the face of danger.

- What's up, how are you? Rodrigo asked, taking a bite of the beef spaghetti on his plate.

- I'm fine, could you open my can of coke? - I asked, taking advantage of every moment next to Rodrigo to needle Rebecca's darling.

- Clear! Oh, Martina, I...

He paused, pondering whether or not to continue. "Why haven't you answered my calls?" I even left a message, but I don't think you heard it. He asked straight to the point.

- I wasn't feeling well these days. I needed to be alone for a while," I answered truthfully.

"I'm finding you a little crestfallen." I wanted to ask you out tonight,

for those who know how to get you out of this bad. What about? - He said, with a sweet face, expecting a positive response from me.

- I don't know...

"Oh, please! He said putting both hands together.

"Okay, I'm up!" - I accepted.

- That! he cheered, making me laugh at his endearing posture.

⁂

I was one of the first to enter the room after the break, and right after that girl - Rebecca -, walked past me with strong and firm steps as if she were going to crack the floor of the room, stopping only when she reached her desk. She kept looking at me intensely with her eyes, that was already giving me chills and I confess that she even scared me a little,

but I didn't let her intimidate me, I kept my head up. And to my relief, the biology teacher entered the room, I thanked God.

- Good afternoon class! He greeted the class and then looked at me. "For anyone just starting out. I'm Matias, the biology teacher - He introduced himself by looking directly at me.

"What's the name of a new student?"

- Martina, my name is Martina! I replied, tired of repeating my name so many times.

- Welcome! I nodded my head when I heard the greeting. - Well, class, in our class today we are going to talk about molecules, cells, tissues...

Hours later the bell rang marking the end of classes.

As I was arranging my materials in my backpack, this Rebecca girl grabbed me by the arm.

"You think I'm kidding, right?" Girl, you don't know who you're messing with! Rebecca shoved me against the wall without letting go of my arm as she gave me a psycho look.

- Let me go! - I shouted,

pulling my arm from her hand tightly. - I am not afraid of you. I go out with whoever I want, and if he really wanted to be with you, he would be looking for you every day and not me! I spewed some truths in her face. "Now get out of my way!"

I bumped into her shoulder, returning the previous push. I couldn't bear to stay there any longer.

turning my back on her, I left that room.

"What an insufferable girl!"

⁂

When I got home I found several boxes in the living room, my mother was arranging some of my father's belongings with the intention of getting rid of them and putting them for donation.

"I think I'll leave these things in the attic for now,

the NGO still hasn't confirmed the day it will pick up the boxes. And I'm not intending to go in there until I've emptied all of his things out of this house, but despite everything I still loved him... - Sitting on the floor, she cast a blank look as she packed every piece of clothing, perfumes and objects that Saulo used to use.

- I really don't understand how you managed to love a man like that! When I cried when I learned of his death, know that it wasn't a cry of sadness, Mom, it was a cry of relief and victory. I can't feel mourning for those who made us suffer so much. I sighed as tears fell from my eyes.

"When you meet someone you love and get married, then yes, you'll understand. he said with a downcast expression.

- No, I won't understand, because I will never remain beside someone who does me harm. I'm one to react and do a lot worse, and that's what you should have done - I ended the subject by heading towards the stairs.

I walked into the room only to throw myself on my bed backpack and all, I was upset, I didn't understand why she acted like that. But I needed to calm down before going down to dinner, taking a deep breath, I got out of bed to remove my sneakers and school uniform. Only in panties and a top,

I go back to bed and open my backpack to do my homework, when I take out the notebook a crumpled paper ends up falling on the mattress.

Out of curiosity, I opened it and inside there was a small text, written from newspaper and magazine clippings, which said:

"Stay away or suffer the consequences."

I rolled my eyes at the paper,

it was a very childish threat, I could already imagine who that dreadful note would be from. I'm starting to feel certain, Rebecca will never leave me alone, as in fact she believes I'm her rival.