João Felipe
I was already on the sidewalk when I saw my brother talking to Beatrice next to his car. I was even more surprised when I noticed that she was crying and he seemed to be trying to comfort her.
I thought about moving closer, but I didn't want to be intrusive in a moment that felt so intimate between the two. I resolved that I would talk with my brother as soon as possible.
His life had been hectic in the last month when he went out on several occasions without Vivi's company, and even so, the friendship seemed the same as before, it also made me see that any distrust I might have of a relationship other than that of friendship between him and Vivi would be wrong. Which made me very relieved.
I headed towards my car and ended the night with a shot of whiskey, so I could sleep without being plagued by thoughts of Vivi.
The next day, as soon as I woke up, I went to look for my brother in his room, because the scene between him and Beatrice never left my mind.
I knocked a few times on his door and soon he answered, telling me to come in.
He was already wide awake, fiddling with his cell phone. His hair was wet like he'd just taken a shower.
" Will leave?”
" We're going to spend the day at César's house, Vivi and I. It's been a while since we've done any shows together and she seems to need the company of her best friend, which is me!”
" Did she tell you anything? Why do you think she needs your company?” I asked, feeling a little nervous.
João Pedro was famous for not guarding his opinions and if Viviane told him something about us, I'm sure he would make a scene for me to assume a relationship with her or even tell our father.
" You didn't tell me anything. But I'm your friend and I can tell when a friend needs me " he said seriously, looking at me.
When I noticed his gaze on me, I soon thought that he would insist on the subject of Vivi, or something related to it, but what he said was different from what I expected.
" I saw him yesterday, leaving Alicia's party. And I know you saw the scene with Beatrice. Is this why you came to my room?”
"That was it. I would like to know what's going on and why you were there with her. I was quite surprised.”
" He was curious, yes, " he joked, but he was right. " We are friends, me and Beatrice. But since you've been away for the last few years, you couldn't have known that. She is going through a very delicate situation and I was trying to help.”
Now they were two girls going through delicate situations, I thought when I remembered the story about Julia. Could it be that they were similar situations or just a coincidence?
" Something you can share with me or is it very intimate and you are not authorized to tell me? " I said ironically, still remembering Vivi's friend.
" Exactly everything you said there. Sorry brother! " he said and got up, leaving me upset.
" Where are you going? Are you not going to tell me?”
" I had already said that I would go out with Vivi. Do you want to accompany us? César is feeling lonely with his parents living abroad and invited us to spend the day with him. It will only be us, besides Júlia and Cecília.”
Despite the self-imposed distance between me and Viviane, my brother always tried to bring us closer, but without forcing any situation. He knew how to sort things out.
" I don't think so.”
" Mom wouldn't want to see her dear son next to Viviane, would she?”
Of course, he couldn't pass up the opportunity to crack his little jokes, but I just looked up and followed him out into the hallway, where he headed toward the stairs and back to my room.
I decided to send a message to Vivi. I wanted to know how she was going to respond to me, just to confirm that she was still upset about whatever it was that had upset her.
Viviane
João Felipe: Shall we go to our corner today?
João Felipe: I miss you...
Viviane: I'm leaving.
Viviane: I'm going to César's house with JP.
João Felipe: In the afternoon, then?
Viviane: I sent a message confirming.
I wanted to see João Felipe, but I missed him too. It was so wonderful when we were together and something told me that our relationship wouldn't last much longer and that I should enjoy the moments I could be by his side.
But I was also afraid, afraid that I might end up saying something without even being sure if it was real. I decided to do a blood test and confirm if I was pregnant or if it was just psychological, as I had already read on the internet about some reports.
But I had already arranged with JP to spend the morning by the pool at César's house. In addition to us, there were also Júlia and Cecília.
César and Cecília were very excited telling me about the weekend they spent at the Mendes de Albuquerque beach house, in Guarujá.
" I think we should go more often. It was very good and I met a sensational girl " César said smiling. " But JP was gone most of the time. I still haven't found out who was with him that weekend, and you don't get that story about him being alone. Nobody fell for that excuse.”
I kept looking at João Pedro and thinking once again about how reserved he was about his love life. I was sure he was in some relationship, but I didn't even have an idea who the person would be.
But since I was also keeping my secrets, I chose not to insist. I would wait for the moment when he wanted to tell me, like when he tried a few weeks ago and João Felipe ended up interrupting.
" I didn't particularly like that friend of yours Ricardo, JP. In the next opportunity, I will not go, in case he is. " Cecília spoke in her always restrained way.
" But we've gone out a few times together and you've never bothered with your presence. Was there anything this time that I didn't know about? " Sounded JP.
I also found Cecília's attitude strange, but I understood her. Ricardo was nasty when he wanted to be and I didn't like to go to the same places as people of his type, full of themselves.
" But why did you invite him this time, João Pedro? As far as I remember, you're not that friendly with him.”
" I invited Nicolas and Henrique and he ended up inviting himself, on the day they were all at the house, at the pool " João Pedro explained.
" Even Alicia went, can you believe it, Vivi?”
I looked horrified at César when he threw that information out.
" Good thing I didn't go!”
"Vivi, they only went because I knew you wouldn't go under any circumstances. I would never trade you for them " João Pedro said and started pulling me to hug him, trying to lighten the mood.
" You are very quiet, Julia. What is happening? You know you can count on your friends here, right?”
I immediately looked at Julia, upon hearing Cesar's words. He was a nice guy, we had gone to school together, and even though he came from a wealthy family, he always treated me as an equal and we were always friends.
He never showed any interest beyond friendship and, like João Pedro, defended me in all situations in which I could have been the target of more "heavy" jokes.
He now lived alone in the house that belonged to his parents. The couple had decided to move abroad, and he chose to continue living and studying here in Brazil. His parents were wonderful people, who always received me very well and always came to visit their son in São Paulo.
She dodged the question by changing the subject and I noticed a new message on my phone.
It was from João Felipe.