Distraction (Violetta)

ONE*

I remember the first time I met Francesca. I was the new girl sophomore year in high school, and she showed me around the school. She was the straight A student, somewhat ironic because she was definitely not straight. She was the class president (every year until we graduated) and everyone loved her. She was literally perfect. She was on her way to be the valedictorian (which she actually was), she knew three languages, she was the star in every play and musical the school held. And she was beautiful. Everyone wanted to spend time with her, boys and girls. Apparently she came out the year before I arrived, and everyone congratulated her and still loved her. She'd had boyfriends and girlfriends, but none of them really stuck.

I became her longest relationship- wait, I mean friendship. But friendship are also relationships, so I am her longest relationship. She is my best friend, and we've literally never been apart since she introduced herself to me on my first day of school. We basically were side by side everywhere we went. We were inseparable. Wherever Francesca went, I was by her side.

"Do you think Ludmi would like this?" Francesca asked, when she walked out of her closet. My mouth dropped, and I nonchalantly squeezed my legs together. "Or maybe I should wear the red one?" Francesca walked in front of the mirror, and looked at herself. She was trying on her new lingerie for her date on Friday, and as her best friend, she wanted me to come over and help her with her clothes. Undergarments included. "Vilu?"

"Damn, Francesca, I don't think Ludmila will be able to keep her hands off of you," I responded. "You look hot." It wasn't a lie. She was the most beautiful girl I ever laid eyes on. I wanted to tell her that, but I really couldn't, not yet anyways. I was barely coming to terms to myself.

"Thanks," Francesca smiled. She sat down on her bed, beside me. My eyes trailed from her legs, up to her chest, and then locked eyes with her. She was confident with her body, something I wasn't. "Violetta, we need to talk."

Those words, I was always scared of them. Whenever my father said them, I would either get grounded or get a long lecture about something. "A-about what?" I quickly asked.

"You and León, obviously," Francesca responded.

León. We met during our University freshman orientation. The school had organized the groups with majors that were similar, and our majors were both business management. We were partners for each group activity, and we became friends quickly after. This was three years ago, and he became one of my best friends, but then he became an occasional hook up. We both didn't want anything serious, but we both were horny college students.

"What about León and I?" I questioned. Francesca always assumed that León and I are actually dating and just won't tell her the truth. But I was definitely single, and León and I were definitely just friends.

"You cannot be serious, Violetta," Francesca said with a straight face. I looked at her. "León is basically in love with you! Anyone can see it."

"León isn't in love with me," I countered. He couldn't be. We had an agreement that if we caught feelings for one another, we wouldn't do anything ever again, and I was just at his dorm last night.

"I have friends in the drama club who want to ask León out, but he's too busy staring at you whenever we're with him," Francesca told me. "They think you two are dating." Francesca paused. "You two might as well be dating, since you spend all your time with him anyways."

"Are you jealous?" I joked, Francesca rolled her eyes in response. "Jealous that I spend more time with León than you lately?"

"You've been stressed lately. And whenever you get stressed, León is on speed dial to help you relieve your stress," Francesca responded, as she put her hand on my thigh.