Meeting Daniella

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    💦Heidi’s POV💦

I sneaked out of my room half an hour later, went downstairs and met Lucas watching 'Spatacus' while munching on the popcorn.

He turned to look at me, smiled brightly. “Oh! Are you okay now?”

I shook my head, folded my arms as I stared at him. “Can’t believe you are here, enjoying yourself while I cried upstairs. Seriously?”

Lucas stared at me and shrugged. “I asked you what was wrong with you, but you said you wanted to be alone, right?”

I rolled my eyes and joined him in the sofa. “Where did you meet her?” I asked after a while. “Your new girlfriend.”

“At school. She’s the sweetest thing ever.” Lucas replied, turning back to look at the TV.

He wasn’t even noticing the sadness in my eyes. He changed within the twinkle of an eye, and it hurt badly.

He didn’t stop to ask for my opinion like before, he didn’t stop to check my countenance.

And there, I knew I’d lost my best friend to someone else.

So, that night turned out to be a total disaster.

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     **The Next Day**

“Heidi, meet Daniella. She’s my girlfriend.” Lucas finally announced it to my face, and my heart momentarily stopped functioning.

For a full moment, I stared at the girl in front of me, wondering what made her look so beautiful.

Okay. Her sense of dressing. The way she combed her long straight hair. The way she smile and the way she stood like a real girl.

Who wouldn’t want this girl to be his girlfriend? She’s perfect.

On the other hand, I looked like Lucas himself, with my flat chest, my big t-shirt. My rough pigtails and my faded jean. I was fifteen but still didn’t have the curves I could boast of.

My eyes dropped on her lips and the bright red shinny lipstick seemed to beg me to take some for my dry lips…

“Heidi? Heidi!” Lucas's voice cut deep into my thoughts and I was forced to smile.

“Your what?” I couldn’t help but stutter.

“I know I should have introduced her to you before now, but it turned out this way. Daniella? Meet my best friend, Heidi.” Lucas replied, introduced his supposed girlfriend before I could respond.

“Hi. I’ve heard so much about you. He didn’t exaggerate when he’d told me you were a tomboy.” The girl in front of me said, flashing me her fine set of white teeth.

I stared all over her, looking desperately for a fault. Anything at all that would imperfect her. Anything, even if it was just a small scratch.

But no. The girl is perfect.

“Oh. Yeah. Thanks.”  Came my under breath reply. “Sorry. I have to go now. My dad’s gonna be home soon.” Having said that, I turned and rushed towards the white house without saying anything else.

I knew I looked suspicious. I knew I messed up. Yes, I made it look so obvious that I didn’t like her. What was her name again? Daniella?

How could I like her when she’s finally here to break Lucas and I apart?

Heck. We’ve been friends for as long as I could remember. We were practically given birth to in the same neighborhood. We grew up together, did everything together, and he was the main reason I turned out to be a tomboy, and now, this girl is here to take him from me?

I ran straight into the opposite house, jammed the white door close behind my back.

Breathless from running too fast, I walked past the living room, climbed up the few steps to my room, and to the window.

There. They still stood and now, they were laughing and Lucas was holding her hand.

Actually, it brought tears to my eyes. Lucas didn’t run after me like he would have done. He didn’t bother to know why I ran off like that.

Am I losing my best friend? I stared angrily at them, my knuckles tight. Whoever that Daniella girl is, she has to go!!

“What are you looking at?” It was dad’s voice behind me.

I turned sharply, snapped the drapes of my curtains close. “Nothing. Just…looking at the sun.”

“Why do you look so rough, Heidi? My God. Look at your hair.” Dad mused and I frowned at him.

“Do I look different from yesterday? I’ve always looked like this and dad? Could you knock whenever you are coming in here, please?” I asked and dad stared at me as though I was a joke.

He burst into a big laughter, holding his stomach. His handsome face was all wrinkled with the annoying smile. I rested against the wall, folded my arms and stared at him as he laughed.

“What’s funny, dad? What?”

“You don’t even look like a normal girl!” Dad said amidst laughter.

I rolled my eyes, folded my arms. If there was one thing my father was good at, it was annoying me but I still love him regardless.

Ever since mom left when I was just ten years old, he’s been there for me. As a bookshop owner, dad has really done well for himself.

“Well, I came in to tell you I have a dinner date with someone tonight. I won't be back till late midnight.” Dad said, adjusting his collar.

That was when I noticed how well dressed he looked.  “A date? You’ve never gone on a date ever since Mom left.” I said with a slight frown.

Dad shrugged and smiled. “I finally saw someone who’s worth me.”

I said nothing but only turned back to look outside the window, a sad look on my face. Lucas and his new girlfriend were no longer standing outside, they were gone.

What was happening to me? The two favorite people In my life are gonna be taken away from me by strange women.

Am I gonna sit down, fold my arms and watch this happen? No! This is the point where you have to make use of your brain, Heidi. Make use of your brain!

“Dearie? You aren’t saying anything.” Dad called, moving closer to me. “Say something.”

“So, what do you want me to say? You are going to bring in a new mom into the house, isn’t it?”

Dad laughed behind me, put his arms around my shoulders. “You know nobody can take your mother’s place, right? Don’t forget about that.”

Dad left few minutes later, and I was left alone.

There was a knock on the door as I stood in front of the mirror, trying to arrange my fluffy black hair.

I left my room, walked down to the main door. I opened the door, and there was Lucas, standing outside with his supposed girlfriend.

“You finally came to see me, huh.” I mumbled, opening the door wider and ignoring Daniella who was smiling at me.

“What is wrong with you? Why are you so saucy?” Lucas asked and I scoffed.

“That is the first time you would call me that. Is this all because of your new little girlfriend?” I snapped, staring at him.

He frowned at me, his wrist tightening around Daniella’s wrist. “I can’t believe you just snapped at me. Are you okay?”

“Maybe you could come in and talk, but not with her, okay?” I said, threatening to close the door.

I watched Lucas turn to look at Daniella, told her to wait outside and stepped into the house.

Making a face at Daniella, I slammed the door shut in her face, turned to look at Lucas.

“What is wrong?” he asked, looking confused.

“You really don’t know, right? Okay, I will tell you. That girl isn’t good for you. She can’t be your girlfriend.”

Lucas’s eyes lightened up with amusement. “What?”

“You heard me.” I replied.

“You are crazy. Why would you say that? Daniella is a great kid, she’s beautiful.”

I was shocked when I heard him say that and at that point, I knew I had to do something. And very fast.