Brazilian Lounge

twenty-four.

Chapter twenty-four.

Pia dropped me off in front of my apartment building. I hugged her and gave her an apologetic look before thanking her.

"See you soon, I hope?" I hope so too. I smiled at her, assuring her that nothing was wrong with us. I nodded before turning around to walk towards my home.

"You know, I really need the bathroom. Urgently," Jillian announced. I turned around to pay attention, realizing I hadn't said my goodbyes to her. "Mind if I come up?" She asked me. I stared at her for a few seconds. "Well, you better not mind. I'm coming." The car door swung open again and Ms Ame - Jillian stood up, straightening herself. "Bye, Pia. Thanks for the awesome night!"

"No problem. Text me, all right?" They grinned at each other before Jillian - such an unusual feeling, using that name - faced me.

I couldn't fake another smile, but I couldn't display any other emotions either.

She opened her mouth to speak, but we both knew silence was being our friend at the time. I looked at the ground, listening to Jillian's footsteps on the loose gravel. Her touch on my arm warmed me up a bit. She held me close to her as we guided each other into the building.

"Aftonio! Where have - oh, hey!" Marcos nervously smiled at us. A female's moans were echoeing through the house. His eye was twitching.

"Oh God, man, is that Mariana inside? What's happening? Actually, I don't wanna-"

"No! No, no. Not like that! Um...is just...you know," Marcos seemed shy.

"Oh." Ms America, I mean, Jillian slyly smirked at him. She looked at me with an amused expression on her face. She guided my gaze with hers to behind Marcos.

"Oh." Pornography. Ah, the joys. "Do you mind taking it to your room?" I wasn't amused at all, and it was evident that both of them noticed and found it strange but said nothing.

"I will." Marcos looked down and walked over to the TV, taking his USB stick out and ashamedly walking to his bedroom, not bothering to hide his friend pushing through his underwear.

"Come on, have a laugh. You're kinda uptight tonight, what's up?" She closed the door behind us and made her way to the bathroom.

I took off my jacket and hung it up as quietly as I ever could - not wanting to disturb the peace of the living room. I figured that expensive whiskey would comfort me better than anyone else that night.

"You sure you should be drinking, Aftonio?" Her presence gave me chills down my spine. I wasn't sure if it was in a good or bad way. I glared at her, trying to get her to back down, but she sat down next to me and held my bottle captive. "It's really late and you don't seem okay. It's never safe to drink when you're not yourself."

"If I'm not myself, then who the hell am I?" I snapped, sounding as bitter as my father would have. She widened her eyes at me.

"I'm just trying to help-"

"I don't want help." I said, coldly. Silence surrounded us, making the atmosphere slightly more uncomfortable than usual.

"Maybe you should just get Pia to help you. She could fuck you back to your normal self, and if you're a good boy - or, a bad boy, whatever she's into - I'm sure she'd let you drink as much as you can." Her words felt colder than my heart at that moment.

Before I could speak up, she stormed out of the door.

I knew I was being a complete asshole to her, but I was trying to wrap my mind around what she said...her mentioning Pia must have meant that she knew. Did Pia tell her?

Pia.

Suddenly, I thought of my mother. I thought of...

"That holiday we went to Bali. What a blast. She tried to scare me by saying the monks there had tails and were all part of a real life Naruto animé," I laughed at the memory. "How insane. You know, she used to get me all my Naruto episodes - up until Sheppuden. She was so confused by what the fuck went on in those animé's, but she knew I loved them. And the clippings of covers, photoshoots. She booked-"

"Your first photoshoot and modelling show? Yeah," she giggled next to me.

"Yeah." I smiled genuinely.

"Please, do go on," she quickly stood up from the carpet and rushed to the kitchen. "I'm getting us whiskey, and you're not saying no,"

"Oh, believe me, it's what I need."

"That, and a blunt." Her words enticed me. I chuckled.

"I always end up hooking up with someone when I'm high around people,"

"I think that's when you're drunk," she paused, "but I don't mind, either way." She made her way back to me with two glasses of whiskey. "Anyway, tell me more about your modelling, your mother was always such a beast, yet this angel," I looked at the carpet, thinking of my mum and feeling slightly sad for myself.

"Hey," she placed her hand underneath my chin, "only look up." She tilted my chin up, making me smile as I looked up at her open ceiling.

"Hmm, it's a bit chilly." I said to lighten the mood, also to distract myself - and hopefully Pia.

"I'll close it now," she got up again. "I just want you to know that photos and memories may seem stupid or meaningless to you - in general too - but when it's all you've got, it's the most priceless thing in the world that only you can hang onto. Your copy of it anyway."

I wanted to be honest with her about everything, from Ms America all the way to me almost wanting to turn my back to any romantic doings with her last night. I felt like I could tell her anything and everything now, and I also knew I got it all wrong...I wanted to start...something...with her, but it had to be honest.

I was about to speak up, but Pia suddenly rested her head on top of my lap. She looked up at me and started rubbing my back with her hand. Her fingers massaged my spine, it felt extremely relaxing.

Her eyes were already closed. "I'm listening, Aftonio," her voice was breathy. I didn't feel like talking. I let out a grunt to indicate that before her soft chuckle filled my eardrums. I loved the way she looked when she seemed so peaceful - not even sleeping. "Then just close your eyes." She whispered most of her sentence.

I allowed myself to do just that. I followed her instruction - possibly falling apart internally as I fell for something deeper.