Chapter 3 The Favorite

• Flashback 5 years ago...
• I'm leaving classes, I'm getting closer to graduate, I had decided to study architecture, since there are too many companies in the city, I hoped to get a good job, with a great salary and thus help my parents with the expenses, so I won't be a burden anymore.
• I see in the distance a group of guys, among them Jair... I couldn't help but sigh, he is a very handsome guy his honey colored eyes match his golden hair, he had fine features that made him look so attractive, he was tall with a slim but toned body, I felt myself blushing just thinking about that time I looked at him shirtless when he was coming out of the men's showers after his basketball game.
• - Shut your mouth, you'll drool at the sight of Jair!
• - Christina!
• My best friend appeared hanging on my neck thinking her arm from behind, and tapping my chin lightly, she didn't have her mouth open, she let out big laughs her laughter was so infectious I couldn't help but laugh with her.
• - Ready to go? I ran into your mother yesterday afternoon, she invited me to have lunch now, I didn't tell you why I hadn't run into you all day.
• - Well then let's go... - We had only taken a few steps when a male voice was heard behind our backs.
• - Hey Cristina can we talk for just a minute, it'll be quick. - It was Jair who came running to catch up with us.
• - Sure... wait for me here Valeria, I won't be long.
• Cristina walked away with him, I sat on a bench without being able to take my eyes off them, they were smiling at each other as if they were happy to be together, then he took out a small yellow flower that he put in Cristina's coppery hair, she put her hand on her head and started to laugh.
• The scene was painful for me, it caused me a strange oppression in my body and a huge desire to cry, although I had no reason to do it, Jair was nothing of mine, in fact, he was not even aware of my existence, asking him to even notice me or look in my direction was too much to ask, an impossible dream.
• They said goodbye kissing each other on the cheek, I turned to the other side, I didn't want Cristina to see that I was watching them, I ran my fingers along the bench until she came to the front.
• - Ready, let's go.
• - Yes.
• As I stood up I couldn't help but look at her head, and admire that little flower he put on her hair; Cristina had a radiant and perfect smile, which was gradually erased when she noticed the direction of my gaze, she took the flower out of her hair and pressed it in her hand and then threw it in a trash can while she grabbed my back pushing me slightly so I would start walking.
• - I know you're in love with Jair, there's nothing between us, for me he's a fool, get those ideas out of your head, put a smile on your face and let's walk fast, I'm starving.
• I smiled at her and tried to put aside the pain and ignore the bitter taste in my mouth, I had no reason to feel that way, Cristina was my best friend, she knew that I liked Jair, she wouldn't do anything to hurt me, after all it was him who talked to her, not her who approached him.
• When I arrived at my house, my mother was setting the table, as soon as Cristina arrived a big smile came across my mother's face.
• - Cristi welcome.
• - Madam, hello. - From a distance I watched as they gave each other an affectionate hug, Cristina ran to my mother like an excited little girl while my mother was waiting for her with open arms.
• - Valeria finishes setting the table.
• My mother changed her tone of voice to order me, then she went with Cristina to the living room while they talked very animatedly, I had no reason to feel bad about it, it would be exaggerated, they got along very well and they had not seen each other for a while...
• When my father arrived everything was ready, mom had prepared fried chicken with coleslaw and mashed potatoes Cristina's favorite food, when my mother put the plates on the table I noticed that my father had about 9 pieces, my mother 6, Cristina 4, as she told my mother she was on a diet and me 1... the smaller piece of breast, and much less salad and mashed potatoes than the others, I got rid of those thoughts, as I was being too fixated with the food and that is not done.
• My mother took the pitcher of water, she had prepared a lemonade, served them all and when she got to me she just set the pitcher down in front of me.
• - Here is your water Valeria. - She said to me as she sat down, I was about to take the pitcher when my father spoke.
• - You drink natural water Valeria, I always pour more, besides you shouldn't drink so much sugar, you'll get fatter. - That comment hurt me, I wasn't going to say no.
• - Yes father...
• I got up and poured my water in the kitchen when I returned they were in the middle of a very animated conversation with Cristina, they were laughing in a way they had never laughed with me before, since I wasn't talking I concentrated 100% on eating causing me to finish before everyone, I was still hungry.
• - You help your mother with her esthetics in the afternoons, I think that's great, that you learn an extra trade. - my father said to Cristina.
• - That's right sir, in fact, you could say it's my part-time job, this way I get money for my things and I help my parents.
• - That's excellent, hopefully, Valeria, will help in something in this house, as well as you with a part-time job, but it doesn't do more than being lazy. - I looked at my mother, then at Cristina who was stifling a chuckle, but when she saw me she stayed, my mother's shriek made me put my attention back on her. - My God Valeria! Don't you chew, you eat as if you had never seen food in your life... but well, taking advantage of the fact that you're done, go ahead and clean the kitchen.
• - Yes, mom.
• I got up from the table and went into the kitchen, there was a mountain of things to wash; after a few minutes my father came in to leave me all the rest of their dishes and went out.
• Cristina's laughter caught my attention, making me look up, there was her and my mother sitting at the patio table, my mom was braiding her hair.
• - Oh Cristiana you have beautiful hair and such pretty green eyes, you are such a doll, it's a pity you are not my daughter, if only Valeria was half as pretty as you.
• - Not all women are feminine and beauty is a virtue that not all of them achieved, but you and I do, we should feel lucky.
• - Of course, of course you are right.
• They both started laughing happily, my chest ached my heart was crumbling with every beat, I longed for a moment like that with my mother, some beautiful words from her to me, but that was always too much to ask, they seemed to hate me for some reason, I finished cleaning the kitchen and went to lock myself in my room I had homework to do.
• I listened when Cristina left, she didn't even say goodbye to me, hours later the house was in total silence, my parents had gone to sleep, I would have liked a, good night, if nothing else, but in my family and in life I was not the favorite.