Alice and Vivian

They came into my room about ten minutes ago. I know it's not Colle because of the smell, Vivian has worn the same perfume since we were in high school. I notice that Alice is calmer, sitting in the armchair beside the bed.

- Oh, come on, I know you're awake.

I end up smiling, before lifting the white sheet that covered my face.

- That perfume of yours could raise a mummified army, Vivian.

Alice burst out laughing.

- I really thought you liked it. - Vivian forced a pout.

We laughed.

- So, what's up today? Finally James is off Alice's back, so we can have some time to ourselves! - Vivian almost jumped with excitement

- That would be fantastic! We have a basketball court, indoor pool, stable, lake, library, and even a wine cellar. And I have so much to tell you! I'm so happy.

With broad smiles, Vivian and Alice looked up to me.

- Wow! I guess I should have moved here five years ago instead of you! - Vivian joked.

- Not at all! Then she wouldn't have met Colle.

They looked at me, as if they knew how he moved me.

- We have so much to do! So much to talk about! - I smiled at

them.

- And we want to know everything, Nicole, even the dirty details!

- Oh, please, girls. We are not teenagers anymore!

- Ok! I accept that for now! But now let's enjoy! I want to take a bath in that lake.

Vivian was sunbathing on the big round float and taking a nap, her hair was tied up in a messy bun and was blonder than I was used to, her body was still beautiful. She was wearing a black retro-style swimsuit and black Ray Ban sunglasses. Alice and I were sitting on the edge of the lake with our feet in the icy water. Alice had shorter, Chanel-cut hair, the likes of which I had never seen before, and those big brown eyes, which seemed to reach for the soul, had small bags in them; she was clearly getting little sleep. She was worried too much and thinner than ever. Her hip bones were showing, and her rib bones, not to mention. When she took off her robe to get into the lake, Vivian and I ended up watching in an impolite way. She immediately made an excuse and put her robe back on. I immediately tried to apologize, but it was already too late, she didn't want to go in the bath anymore. So we decided to stay there while we watched Vivian enjoying herself in the water. We spent those hours on every kind of subject you can imagine, I told her about the first time I saw Colle. Our first kiss, how affectionate he was to Nicholas and me. Alice listened enthralled and seemed very happy for me.

- Well, now tell me about you and Jamie.

- There's nothing that's really interesting, nothing like you and Colle. - She smiled, looking nervous, as she played with the white gold ring with a small ruby on her finger.

- Make no mistake, we weren't always like this. Sure, he was always very loving, but there was a time when I thought we would never be together. There was a lot of struggle on both sides, and a little bit of fate too, I can't explain. With him everything is so perfect, and I don't know, I guess I'm a little afraid. - Alice studied me for a few minutes and then spoke:

- You shouldn't be afraid of love. You can tell by the way he looks at you, the way he talks to you, everything about him says that. Don't deprive yourself of this, girlfriend, it's about time you were happy.

- But what if it doesn't work out, what if it's temporary?

Alice got up from the deck to go inside, but first she spoke:

- And wouldn't it be worth it? At least you got what a minority of people get. You felt loved, protected and welcomed. Better to feel that at least once, than to dream the rest of your life without even getting close. Don't you think so?

I didn't answer, I knew it was a rhetorical question.

Before she could get too far away, I asked:

- Do you love him? Do you love Jamie?

Alice glanced over her shoulder and walked away again, leaving me with no

answer.

I have never seen the table so full. I could see the joy on Nicholas's face as soon as he woke up and saw everyone together. We looked like a real family at breakfast on a Christmas Eve. There was me next to Ethan, Nicholas, Vivian next to Maria, Benjamin, Alice and Jamie.

We began to serve each other normally and silently.

- Hey, what a beautiful table.

We looked over and Thomas was there. A suitcase in his hand, dressed socially. If Colle wasn't so perfect, I would have looked at Thomas, who had a similar build and was also very handsome.

- I hope there is room for one more. - He gave a huge smile, which revealed a single dimple on the right side of his face, and which, coincidentally, shone brighter when he saw Alice. - Nicole, it's been so long! You look magnificent! Brother," he said, referring to Colle, as he passed by to greet us. - Maria... Hey, kid, you've grown! - He ruffled Nicholas's hair, who smiled. - Who is this beautiful lady? - She acted casually, brought her lips to Vivian's hand and kissed it.

- I'm Vivian. - She smiled.

- Jamie," he said seriously.

- Alice. - He took her hand and, as if with, Vivian kissed it. Accidentally, some coffee spilled on the white blouse Alice was wearing. She stood up abruptly, knocking over a few things.

- What the hell! - she said.

Vivian then stood up. - God, Alice, come on, I'll help you.

- Honey, I'll help you clean up. - Jamie took her hand, and was about to take it, when she broke free of his touch.

- No," her tone softened, "thank you, darling, thank you, Vivian, I can do this myself. - She walked to the nearest bathroom.

The table fell silent as she left.

- I'm sorry, guys, I really need to see how she is," she said, and then left.

About me, Vivian and Alice, Vivian was the most impulsive, agitated, intense, and everything that Vivian was, I was always the opposite, it was something natural, we had no control. On the other hand, Alice was the middle ground between the two of us. We were the perfect trio. I never saw her lose her temper, this kind of attitude was typical of Vivian, so I was surprised to see her lose her temper a little. I could feel that something was wrong.

When I stopped in front of the bathroom door, I heard small sobs. Alice was crying. I knocked softly on the door. No answer. I knocked again. No answer.

- Alice, it's me, Nicole," I said. Seconds later, I heard the door slam, and

she opened.

- Come in," she said.

I went in and found her washing the edge of her blouse in the sink. Her eyes were a little red, her nose was red, her eyelashes were still damp.

- Is everything alright?

She continued to wash it and then looked at me.

- Yes, it's fine.

- It doesn't look like it.

- If Vivian told you something, you shouldn't listen to her.

- Yes, she told me. But I want to hear your side of the story.

- There is nothing to say. She is jealous.

- She told me that Jamie has tapped all her phone calls, her email, social networks, internet, personal laptop, Blackberry, bank account...

- Yes, it is true. But I understand that it is the best thing for me at the moment. After what happened with my parents, I only had him to count on. I don't blame you, you found someone who loves you. You should enjoy all of this, but I was alone and I was worried. Terrified, actually. Vivian was together, but she's so controlling, I can't take all the pressure.

- Yeah, I know, but she's really worried, she told me that... well... that you borrowed money from her.

- Yes, that's also true, I did, but in the end I didn't take it.

- Hey, if you need money or anything else, you know you can count on me. Me and Ethan, we can handle it. You guys helped me when I needed it the most, it's only fair that I return the favor.

- I know I can count on you, on you, but there's really nothing, I understand the concern. Vivian is paranoid, this is getting annoying. She picks on Jamie all the time, so I avoid being with her. He is my fiancé and future husband, she will have to learn to separate our friendship from my relationship, this way is not working.

- Yeah, I really understand. I'll talk to her. She will surely listen to me

more.

Alice smiled.

- And Thomas? Um... I saw him looking at you.

Alice blushed.

- Oh no, Nicole. Don't even think of insinuating it. - She smiled. - He's a small talker. In fact, I have a sneaking suspicion he doesn't like me very much. He was for a while doing my personal security.

- Okay, then. - I shrugged. - But can you tell he's not handsome?

She looked at me, but her eyes gave me the answer.

We let out a real laugh, took a few more minutes, and left the bathroom.

- Come on, I'll lend you a shirt.