Chapter 8 - Best friends forever?

Betina and Leona stared at Mikaella in silence after her comment.

"What's wrong?"

You two were speechless! It's as if I said something absurd.

If I knew you two were having a thing, I'd totally ship this couple.

Leona and Betina tried to conceal their shock at Mikaella's comment, perhaps because her words made too much sense.

Betina faked a cough to hide her embarrassment while Leona looked at her suspiciously.

"What's with those faces? What's wrong, Leona, you seem surprised."

Mikaella commented, looking at her friend.

Betina persisted with the fake cough, signaling Mikaella to stop talking, but it was futile.

"Are you going to tell me you didn't know Betina is bisexual?"

Betina widened her eyes and gestured for Mikaella to stop.

"What's wrong, friend? Got some neck problem?"

Mikaella asked absentmindedly.

"Damn it, Mikaella! Shut your mouth, woman! Of course, she doesn't know!"

Mikaella widened her eyes and placed a hand on her chest.

"Look at how you're talking to me, Tina! What's gotten into you? Is your boss not giving you enough attention, and you've got pent-up sexual tension or something?!"

Mikaella shouted.

Betina burst into laughter.

"At least I have some sexual tension going on, right, friend? I don't go begging for love from the first idiot who can read a silly book about sex just because I don't have the guts to do in bed what I read in books!"

Betina retorted.

"Well, friend, I don't do that because the title of the City's slut has already been taken, and guess by whom? By you!"

Leona was about to witness one of those rowdy best friend fights, and after that super embarrassing conversation, she just wanted to go home.

"Calm down, guys, please, let's all calm down."

She said, fearing that the argument would turn physical.

"I'm calm, Léo! I'm calm!"

Mikaella shouted.

"It's her who's got too much pent-up tension and wants to take it out on me just because she couldn't get the girl she was interested in."

Mikaella immediately fell silent when she realized she had revealed her friend's secret.

Silence hung between them, and Leona immediately understood that she was the girl Betina was interested in. It was obvious, and she didn't know how to feel about that revelation.

"Well... It's past my bedtime, I'm going, we'll talk later, bye."

Said Leona, hurrying to leave before having to respond to what was happening.

"Leo, wait, I can explain," Betina insisted.

"It's late, I need to go," Leona said, unable to face Betina.

She ran to leave and closed the door behind her.

Leaving Betina and Mikaella alone.

Betina looked at Mikaella with disappointment.

"Betina... Tina, please... I didn't mean... Betina, wait... Tina, please."

Betina was heading towards the bedroom when she turned around and looked at her.

"Do me a favor? Don't be here when I get back from the café!"

Mikaella felt her heart tighten when she heard her friend's harsh words. Betina had never treated her this way.

Even though this time Mikaella knew she deserved it.

***

"Mikaella felt shattered as she packed her things. She couldn't believe that in such a stupid argument, she had spilled her best friend's secret. And now, she had ruined her chances with Leona. 'How dumb am I!' she cursed while folding the last pieces of clothing and closing her suitcase. She did everything quickly; she didn't want to risk Betina finding her and having another fight.

Too late. Betina was already back. Mikaella took a deep breath, trying to bear the weight of Betina's indifference as she entered. But, contrary to what she expected, Betina seemed much calmer. She even seemed cheerful. What could have happened to make her mood change so suddenly? Mikaella stared at her friend, itching to ask, but she restrained herself and simply watched her walk into the kitchen. Betina was humming an old romantic song. She never hummed unless... She had slept with someone!

'You had sex!' Mikaella couldn't contain herself. Betina looked at her in surprise. She expected to maintain absolute silence between them for a while. After all, Betina was the one who always broke the silence after their fights. 'No... I... Hey, I'm not talking to you!' Betina replied. Mikaella stared at her friend for a few seconds.

'Tina, forgive me. I spoke without thinking and said absurd things. I shouldn't have revealed your secret, and I know there's no turning back, but I'm very sorry... Please forgive me,' she said with teary eyes. Betina pretended to be tough as her friend spoke, but she knew Mikaella hadn't done it on purpose. 'I don't know if I should forgive you,' she said, feigning charm. 'I think you should consider forgiving me... because you love me and can't live without me,' Mikaella said, pouting. Betina raised one eyebrow. 'Hmm... I don't know, after all, you ruined a great chance for some action that I was almost getting with a delicious blonde.' Mikaella burst into laughter. 'Oh, friend, you know Leona isn't on that team, right?' Betina smiled slyly. 'I know. But look at me, friend, look at this gorgeous redhead. Do you think it would be possible to resist me?! I'm irresistible.' The two of them laughed, and Mikaella pulled her friend into a hug. 'I love you, you b****!' Betina said. Mikaella smiled. 'I love you too, b****.' The two of them stayed there hugging for a few minutes until the doorbell rang. 'I'll get it,' Mikaella said. She opened the door and was surprised by what she saw. 'David? What are you doing here?' David seemed as surprised as she was. He didn't expect to find her at Betina's apartment that night. He was accompanied by his father, who didn't say a word, not even a greeting. Mikaella noticed that their eyes were not fixed on her but on Betina, who looked pale at that moment. Mikaella felt a certain amusement in imagining what crazy thing Betina had done to bring the two of them here in the middle of the afternoon. 'So, are you two going to explain to me what you came to do here in the middle of the afternoon?' The two of them exchanged embarrassed glances. 'It was nothing,' Mr. Aragão grumbled, while David nodded without taking his eyes off Betina. Mikaella stared at them, intrigued. 'Nothing my a**!' she exclaimed angrily. 'Mikaella, what kind of language is that?! What will people think if they hear you talking like that?' Mr. Aragão asked indignantly. 'I'm not changing my ways because I'm sure you didn't come here for me... Aragão men don't leave work in the middle of the afternoon for family, no sir.' She turned to face Betina. 'Come on, Tina, tell me: Who did you sleep with this time? My father or my brother?' Betina widened her eyes and didn't respond. Mikaella was furious and wouldn't accept silence as an answer. 'Spill the beans, you b****! Tell me right now who left you with that satisfied look on your face.' Mr. Aragão hid a slight smile of satisfaction, and Mikaella lost it. 'God damn it, Dad! Are you sleeping with my best friend? I can't believe this s***!' 'Friend, please calm down. I can explain... it wasn't exactly like that... not the way you're thinking...' Betina tried to approach her friend, but Mikaella pushed her away. 'It wasn't like I'm thinking?! It wasn't like I'm thinking, you b****?' Mikaella yelled. 'Then how was it? Explain to me. Did you sleep with my father less than six months after my mother's death and you're telling me it wasn't that?' 'Daughter, please calm down, you're getting worked up for no reason,' Mr. Aragão said, touching his daughter's shoulder. 'Don't touch me! Don't you dare touch me.' David looked at his sister with sorrow. His gaze was as disappointed as hers. Mikaella took advantage of her already packed bags and decided to leave. 'David, please get me out of here,' she said, her eyes filled with tears. He looked at her for a few seconds and hugged her. 'Of course.' But David froze when he saw Leona at the entrance of the door. Mikaella saw her friend's look and understood everything. She quickly pulled away from her brother's hug. 'Did you sleep with her too, David?' He remained silent. Mikaella turned to look at Betina, who no longer dared to say anything, and then turned to face Leona, who unfortunately seemed as devastated as she was. The two exchanged just one look and knew what they wanted at that moment: to get out of that place!"