BRIANNA

22

BRIANNA'S POV

"Where are you staying? Did you rent an apartment?" Sarah asked as soon as we exited the classroom. Apartment? Me? With the little money that I have? I wouldn't even dream of it.

"No, I rented a bedroom in one of the small rental places a few blocks from here." It is not a good room but until I can find myself a part-time job, it will have to do otherwise I will be worried about asking my mother to pay with her last cent.

As long as I live in that house, it is very important not to allow my mother to visit. I will have to meet her in town.

"I have a huge apartment my mother bought for me and I could really use a friend." I didn't expect that from her.

I know she is a very nice person and from what I can tell, she's the kind of person who likes to help but... we just met.

I don't know much about her except her name which sounds too familiar. I don't know where she comes from but I know I've seen her face somewhere.

"You don't have to do that."

"I want to and since I have made up my mind, there's no way you're going to make me change it. It is a huge apartment and I have no roommate.

"My mother bought it for me and she said I could do anything I want with it and that also includes having a roommate."

"But I don't have money for rent." And I'm not going to live in someone's house for free.

"What for? Brianna, you are my friend now and I'm not going to ask my friend to pay rent. I told you that the apartment is mine, I'm not paying rent and you're not going to either."

When I said nothing, she continued. "I know you don't want to live in my house free of charge but I'm also not going to allow you to pay rent. I'm offering you a place to stay. That's what friends do, help each other.

"Look at it this way, I'm helping you with a place to stay and you're helping me with giving me a roommate which is you. I told you that I could use a roommate. And a friend."

I can never win this argument. "Fine, at least allow me to do something then. I was going to look for a job so that I can get money for rent. I can do the cleaning and cooking as a way of paying for rent, how does that sound?"

"There's no need for that, I have housekeepers already. Besides, I would never be comfortable with you doing everything for me. You're my friend."

Let's just say I lost the argument and that is why I found myself in Sarah's car. We went to my place and got my things.

As soon as we were done, she drove us to her apartment. We passed a few buildings, beautiful buildings for that matter before we arrived.

Some people are really living the life.

"What are we doing in a hotel? I thought you said we're heading to your apartment." I asked her as soon as I realised that we stopped in a hotel instead.

"I knew that if I told you that I live in a penthouse then you wouldn't agree to come with me. It was the only choice I have." She said it like it was a normal thing to say.

"Don't tell me your mother owns this hotel?" It came out as a question.

"Unfortunately, she does. And that means I couldn't get an apartment of my own here because she wouldn't allow me. She bought it two years ago and when I decided to move to a place close to our school, she told me to move in here.

"I couldn't do anything about it because my dad supported her. He said it was for my safety and since he is a judge, nobody knows about safety more than he does. That's what he always says and my mother agrees with him all the time."

Just how rich is she? Her father is a judge and I know for her mother to own a hotel must be because she is also rich.

“Don’t worry about a thing, I know most people freak out when I tell them about my dad but you are the only person in our school that knows that my mother owns this hotel.

“She always tries to keep her life as private as possible even though sometimes it gets really difficult.”

I wanted to ask her what her mother does for a living but I want to ask something first. I can ask her that any time since we’re going to be staying under the same roof.

“People were looking at you at school and I know they were not expecting to see you with me. You don’t interact a lot with others do you?”

“I’m a very private person, I’m not going to lie to you and say that I do interact because I don’t. My mother tried everything possible to make sure that I had a normal life and I like it that way and that is why I avoid a lot of people in my circle.

“Everyone in our school is either from a rich family or is related to someone rich. I think it’s only a few people who don’t belong in those categories, people like you.

“The scholarship programme was established five years ago, which means there are only maybe three or four students who are in our school because they have a scholarship.

“You know what that means. The majority of our school is those students who enjoy a social life, they live their lives based on what is trending on social media or whatever.

“I think most of them have even forgotten who they really are. I can’t associate myself with those kinds of people otherwise my life would never be private anymore.

“I wanna be a normal teenager, to make my own choices and live my life the way I want to. It gets difficult when you’re around those people.”

I never looked at it like that. I don’t blame her though, I know I would do the same if I was in her shoes.

“I guess maybe there is something about you that drew me to you, I am not good with making friends and I hardly talk to strangers.”

That makes the two of us. I don't have friends back home, the only people I talk to are older than me and that is because I spend most of my time with my mother.

I wouldn't call people from supermarkets friends even though I'm very close with them. Most of my neighbours have male kids.

"You're the only normal friend I have. I do have friends back home but they are way older than me. Most girls in my neighbourhood are too forward for my liking and they have different personalities from me.

"I guess it is not easy to be friends with someone you don't have any idea what you would be talking about if you were friends."

"I get you. Come on, let's get inside." As soon as we left the car, a guy came and took my bags and opened a private elevator for us, which is something I have never experienced.

I don't know if I'll get used to this kind of life. I'm used to doing everything by myself.

"Thank you, John." Sarah thanked the guy as soon as we arrived in the penthouse.

"My pleasure, Miss Williams. How was school today?"

"It was fun, as you can see, I made a new friend. Sarah, this is my personal guard, John and John, this is my new best friend, Brianna."

"Nice to meet you, John." I decided to smile at him, he seems friendly.

"Nice to meet you too, Miss Brianna." Well, that felt weird. No one has ever addressed me like that before. Everyone calls me just Brianna.

I wanted to tell him to call him like that too but I didn't get the chance. He left before I could open my mouth.

"John's father owns a security company. Most of the staff at home and here are part of it and John is the sole heir. He is one of the smartest people I've ever met in my life.

"He is a university graduate but you will never hear him say it." Why would he choose to be a bodyguard?

"I know what is on your mind, I ask myself the same question every day. It's not like he can't find a job, health care professionals are always needed in this country."

It really doesn't make any sense but I am not going to keep asking questions. Everyone has a right to choose what they want to do in life and if John chose to be a bodyguard, it was his choice, not mine.

"Come with me, let me show you your room." I followed her to a room opposite a room she told me was hers.

"Wow." I couldn't stop the words from escaping my mouth. The room looked like a picture from the internet and I couldn't believe I was inside it.

"This will be room from now on, mine is just opposite this one so it will be easier for you to get hold of me when you need something. Make yourself comfortable."

She left me after that and I took my time looking around, checking everything. I decided to put my things in the closet.

"Miss Brianna, do you need help with anything?" I almost jumped at the woman's voice because I thought I was alone.

"No. Who are you?" I couldn't help myself.

"Sorry for startling you. I'm Kate, your new maid." My new what? What universe am I in because I am very sure I'm no longer on earth.

"Kate will be helping you with everything you need, let her sort your things. Our lunch is ready, come on." She didn't even allow me to digest what just happened as she dragged me to an already set dining table.

"During the week, Kate and Amanda help me with the chores but I like to be alone during the weekends. I decided to give Kate to you and you don't have to worry, she is a wonderful person."

I'm not worried about her not being a wonderful person, this is all new to me and it is too much. I don't even think I will have time to adjust to everything in this short period.

I mean, I just met Sarah today and she has already brought me to her penthouse which I will be staying in for the rest of the school year, rent-free by the way.

As if that wasn't enough, she has given me her personal maid. This is all too much for me alone to handle.

"Look, I know it is soon but I don't think there's a perfect time for friends to share everything. I know we only met today but I know it in my heart that you and I will be the best of friends.

"If you feel like it's too much, just tell me but can you promise me that you will at least try to adjust? I will not force you into accepting something you don't feel comfortable with."

I guess I can do that, I mean what I have to do is just let her know as soon as I feel like suffocating.

"Alright, I promise. I will try." I gave her a small smile and she returned it with a huge grin. We then ate our food in comfortable silence

I have to admit, my mother can definitely cook but this is the best food I've ever tasted in my life.

Sorry mom. You're still the best mother though. I said silently in my head.