Proposal

The light invaded my bedroom window, waking me from my not-so-quiet sleep. The memories of the inner night invaded my mind making me cry again. My chest ached for every moment that would never come back. I staggered to my feet and headed for the bathroom. My dark circles under my eyes showed how sad I was. My tears mixed with the shower water, nothing was forever and I knew it, but I didn't want to let him go either.

When I got ready I went straight to the dining room, finding my parents sitting in it, which was a surprise since my father was never home and never had breakfast with us. My mother looked at me in a welcoming way as soon as she noticed my presence in that place, unlike my father who sighed, but he was quiet as if something worried him more than my termination. 

- Good morning," I said politely.

My parents just looked at me, but none made a sound to return my good morning, which I ignored. The table was laden with food - which was normal, since we always had an abundant table. A piece of traditional cake and an orange juice was enough for me, it was an hour and a half before the start of classes - so I could prepare myself for the school people. 

An absurd silence was in place and all that could be heard was the sound of the clock and the grinding of our teeth as we ate, my mother was noticing my discomfort since I was not a person to be quiet, I liked to talk and no one would take that away from me.

- Why did you and Felipe break up without at least telling us first? - My mother asked as soon as she finished swallowing her piece of cake.

- He wasn't in love with me anymore, I can't blame her, but a scholarship student showed up who is very close to him. - I was sincere, but it turns out that I really blamed her.

- You are still young, you will fall in love again soon.  - My father surprised me by speaking and giving me a sideways smile.

- I agree with your father, dear. But now your former mother-in-law and I will have work to do to make the return and call everyone who was invited to your engagement.

My mother reminded me and I went back to feeling bad, I should fight for my love, but I cherished my dignity more and would not fight for any man. "Something or someone will be yours up to a certain point, and then you have to get used to it because not everything in this world lasts forever. 

- I'm sorry about that," I was sincere, and when I looked at my father he looked at me in a warm way.  

- Don't worry, we'll work it out," he said, and my mother smiled, leaving me in disbelief. Had he broken up with his other family?

- Thank you," I paused for a second, "but why are you joining us for coffee? - He frowned as soon as I asked.

- I'm having problems with the company and with our fortune, so I took a day off - He answered, which was rare since only he asked the questions.

- Don't you have another family? - I asked suspiciously.

- But of course not, where did you get that from? Naughty girl," he asked.

- I always see you and Mom arguing and yesterday she was crying, I thought you had another family.

- Of course not.

- Do you love each other? - I was direct in my question.

- Never doubt my love for you," he said. - It's just our business.

- But can you work it out? - I was worried, so my father was a man who loved, but only cared about money. 

- Don't worry about it, everything is under control. - he said. 

- You have to be careful to go to class," my mother said as she pointed to her watch. 

I excused myself, left the table and went back to my room to do my oral hygiene and after almost five minutes I was done. I picked up my cell phone and looked at the message box and was surprised by the amount of messages that several people had left on it and all of them were asking me the reason for the breakup and even asking how I was doing, but what would I answer them? And how was I really?

Mr. Marcio was already waiting for me in the car and when he saw me he gave me a gentle smile and I reciprocated even though it hurt. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised if the whole town knew, we were, let's say, an important family for the town and there wasn't a single person who didn't know us. The way to school was silent, Mr. Márcio didn't say anything and that was what I liked most about him, he knew how to be polite. The only word this morning with Mr. Márcio was when we arrived at the school, he wished me good luck and I just smiled.

When I arrived at school some people came to ask me the reason for the sudden ending, which made me omit some things and to my surprise, Felipe had gotten over our ending quickly as I found him kissing at the door of the classroom with the new student. My eyes automatically filled with tears and it was obvious that this would happen, but I didn't allow the tears to fall, so with all the courage in the world I lifted my head and moved on, as soon as they saw me almost near the classroom door Felipe looked terrified while Caroline smiled and I couldn't help but reciprocate as soon as I noticed her smile.

- Good morning," I said ironically as soon as I walked through the door, which made her a little angry.

My heart was beating strongly and my chest hurt, Vitoria and Lucas realized my desire to cry as soon as I got close to them. I had to be strong and not cry for a relationship that didn't work out, even though it was almost impossible I had lived having to keep up appearances and now it wouldn't be any different, I had to put my mask back on again. 

- You look very well for someone who just ended a relationship of almost two years yesterday," Gabriel said as he sat down next to me.

- And why exactly wouldn't I be? and what are you doing sitting here with me? - I asked, tapping his arm. 

- Oh trix, no need to be so aggressive. Since you won't have anyone to sit with, I'll be your companion from now on.

- Too bad I didn't really invite you, Gabriel.

I was about to throw him out when the physics teacher entered the room and began his subject about the introduction to electricity. I hated everything that involved mathematics and it wasn't just today, even with good grades I tried hard to make my parents proud and show them what the Edwards family really looked like. A farce, in fact. 

This subject I had studied in private physics classes, which would not be an assignment for me, I mentally wondered if the teacher would pass any assignments that the private teacher passed and if I turned them in it would be cheating. I found myself mentally fighting with my mother when she found out what I didn't do and maybe wouldn't even do, since I like to write and rewrite. 

The bell rang indicating that class was over, when Aline approached the place where I was sitting with Gabriel, it was obvious that she would ask the reason for our breakup, just as everyone in that school did, or at least most of them did. 

- Why did you break up? - She was direct.

- Because he preferred her to me," I said quietly so that only my group could hear.

- How could he prefer that ugly girl to a hot girl like you? - Victoria asked, also whispering.

- Maybe because of her poverty," Gabriel suggested as an option. 

- Until yesterday you were calling her hot, man," Lucas slapped her, which made everyone laugh. 

- There's something very strange about this girl," Aline commented, which made everyone look at her.

- Do you talk about the names of the rich boys in the school and the rival school? - I asked and everyone got weirded out. 

- Yes.

- What's the story? - Peter asked, also joining us, and before she could answer another biology teacher entered the room. 

The class was about human anatomy, one of the subjects I enjoyed most in my private biology classes I took during the vacations, unfortunately or fortunately I knew all about it.

Sometimes I allowed myself a peek at the new couple, which surprised me since it seemed as if they had known each other for years and also as if they had been together for a long time, which didn't make me comfortable since with me it wasn't like that. I didn't pay attention to anything the teacher had said even though I wrote down everything that was on the board, seeing them together was already giving me a headache and stomachache, when finally the bell rang again and we were released for our break. 

At the cafeteria we chose our snacks and went to our usual table that no one dared to sit at, and here we are. Aline, Pedro, Vitória, Gabriel, Lucas and I eating and doing what we are already quite used to. Talking about people. 

- So, what were you going to talk about in the living room? - Pedro remembered the subject.

- I found a list in Caroline's purse with only the names of the rich kids, Arthur Jacob was the first," she said, and everyone was shocked. 

- So you think she's a con artist? - Peter asked.

- Or a girl who wants her boyfriend to pay her school fees.

- Why does my father have to sponsor these scholarships? - I asked bored.

- Because you have money. But keep an eye out, she doesn't give me confidence," Aline said, but before she could say anything else Felipe and Caroline appeared in front of our table.

The disbelieving look on my friends' faces was noticeable, which made Caroline uncomfortable near the table, something totally different from Felipe who looked confident while holding her hand. Several people in the cafeteria wondered why they were standing at our table, the murmurs were loud and I would feel humiliated if I were in their place.

- What are you doing standing here? - Pedro asked rudely, which made Felipe find his manner strange, as did everyone else at the table. 

- Sitting with you as I always do," he answered awkwardly.

- You can sit - Aline authorized - But not with her. 

- What's up? Is it going to be like this? 

- Is it going to be 

- Pedro? Are you going to say anything, brother?

- Sorry man

- All this because I broke up with Beatrix? - He got all worked up and I bowed my head. 

- If you have nothing else to say, you may leave," Victoria pointed to another table and they left hand in hand. 

For a moment I wanted only him to stay, but that wouldn't be possible since apparently he was quite determined to stay with her, and knowing him as well as I do, he wouldn't change his mind even if the inheritance didn't go to him. 

When the bell rang we all went back to the classroom and no one dared to comment on what had happened in the cafeteria, I didn't want the boys to be like that because of me, but apparently no one liked him and I wished with all my heart that he would realize who she really was. The rest of the class went by quickly, even though I thought that my lack of attention had helped this, Felipe was smiling as never before next to the girl and everyone in the room was wondering what was going on, the reality was that I didn't even know. I didn't know how it happened or why, I never thought that boys liked apparently bad girls. 

The bell rang as usual, the horrible noise made me basically run out of the school without even saying goodbye to my friends, but they understood my state and I know they didn't care much about it. Mr. Marcio was waiting patiently for me in the car outside the school. When I got into the car he asked me how the class was as he always did and I answered that it was better than yesterday. But the reality was that it was a lie. It was horrible and only I knew it.

We arrived home faster than we usually do, when I entered the living room I had a huge surprise, Mrs. Cristina and Mr. Francisco were with my mother having a juice, how clever, right on time for lunch. 

- Mr. Francisco, Mrs. Cristina, what a pleasure to see you again! - I smiled as I greeted them.

- My dear, we heard about the termination and came to understand the reason.

- He changed with me after the arrival of the new student, I don't blame her, but he has been with her in less than a day. - I told the truth, I didn't need to hide anything.

- We have a proposal for you - Ms. Cristina became excited as she spoke.

- And what is this proposal?

- We will talk to him so that you can get engaged again," said Mr. Francisco. 

- It won't be necessary, I wish all the happiness for your child. 

As much as it hurt, it was necessary to let go of what no longer belonged to you. It was a truth that only today I understood. A marriage without love would not bear good fruit in the future, only disappointments and unhappiness for her life.

- You are a good girl and I am sure you will be a great wife to your future husband. 

- Thank you Ms. Cristina - I thanked her - I beg your permission to leave, I need to do my homework - I bowed a little and left the room.

My head felt like it was going to explode, I could easily accept Felipe's father's proposal because I know he wouldn't deny his parents anything, but we would also be miserable. I closed the door harder than I would have liked and anyone listening would think I was angry, but I could, I should.

I took a long relaxing shower and after doing the pending activities I was called for lunch, Felipe's parents accompanied us and managed to get a few smiles out of me, before dark they left, which made me a little sad, they were an amazing family. 

After dinner my father came home more stressed than ever and this had to do with our company and inheritance, and I prayed that everything would work out. When night fell, I lay down on my bed and after ten long minutes I managed to close my eyes, I really hoped that everything would turn out well.