Chapter Nine Part Two of Two
***
Marina listens to music and thinks about what her new school will be like, if she will have friends, and finds herself thinking about Jura again: Their kisses at the waterfall, the cell phone he gave her as she was about to enter the house, his messages declaring himself to her, and she finds herself thinking:
"Do I have feelings for him?"
She ends up falling asleep after a few minutes and has a strange dream:
She is in a very bright place with several plants around. She walks among the plants and sees her mother smiling at her, saying:
"Daughter, come here and give your mom a hug."
Marina is happy and goes closer to her, but realizes that the further she walks, the farther her mother is from her.
She starts to run, but someone holds her back and says: "You can't go there, because your day hasn't come yet, dear."
She recognizes the voice and realizes it's her father.
She hugs him tightly, saying-I want to see mommy. Please let me go-she starts crying and sobbing non-stop-Please daddy, I want to hug her.
Her father looks at her and says-I wasn't supposed to be here by your side, but I asked God's permission to give you a warning: Take care, daughter, and respect your new family, they only want you to be well. Call them parents, because that's what they are now: your parents. Parents are not the one who begets, but the one who raises. I know it is hard for you, but do it for me and for your biological mother. I love you, daughter.
Marina hugs him and says, "I love you too, Dad.
When she wakes up, she realizes that she is already in her room, lying on her bed.
She realizes that she is sounding a lot and checks the time, it's 5:30 in the morning and goes to the bathroom to take a hot shower. She puts on red and white striped pajamas and notices that she has her cell phone with her and sends a message to Sandra saying:
"Good morning Mom. Thanks again for the ride. Call me when you go to school. I'm going to sleep some more. Kisses, love you."
Then she sends a message to Miguel saying:
"Good morning dad. May you have a good day at work. Love you, kisses."
She puts her cell phone aside and lies down on her bed, pulling the covers up until she feels nice and warm and comfortable and eventually falls asleep again, but this time she only hears her father's voice saying:
"I am proud of you daughter"
Then she hears her mother's voice saying:
"Whenever you feel sad, steady your thoughts on God and he will help you with your sorrows and distresses."
***
Marina awakens with her adoptive mother calling her:
-Marina, will you come with me to the College? -she opens the door a little, putting her head inside, opening a big smile and says: -Did I dream or did you call me mom by message?
Marina gets out of bed and hugs her tightly and says:
-It wasn't a dream mom but reality. You are taking care of me and one thing I have learned is that a mother is not the one who begets but the one who takes care and you and Miguel are now my parents.
-I'm so happy, daughter." She hugs the girl and begins to cry with emotion.
Then they wipe their tears and Marina goes to get ready while Sandra goes down to wait for her in the car.
The girl is wearing dark jeans, a purple blouse with a phrase in English: peace and love written in black with a drawing of a bird and a heart, and black boots.
She finishes getting ready, letting her hair down and putting on a skin-colored lipstick, and goes to meet her adoptive mother.
The two remain silent during the entire journey, which takes about 40 minutes.
When they arrive, Marina sees a huge school that looks like a Ciep but has four floors.
The two go towards the school's entrance, which has iron gates and several trees around it.
Upon entering, they go to the office and the woman shows them the classrooms.
There are nine classrooms on the second floor with a board written next to the gate: "Ensino Fundamental I and II.
On the second floor there are six classrooms: On the left side was for Teacher Training and on the right side General Training.
The principal's office, cafeteria and teachers' room were on the third floor, and the last floor was the theater and computer room.
Right after they see all the rooms, they go to the principal's office to register.
They arrive at the principal's office and are met by the principal Antonio and the assistant principal Vera.
They are well attended and Marina receives the school rules and asks:
-Do you have any questions? -asks the principal.
-No. Mom, I like the school. When do classes start? asks Marina.
It starts on February 6th. The schedule is from seven to five in the afternoon, but there will be days when you will leave earlier, but the schedules will only be handed out on the first day of class.
-Marina thanks me and says, "I hope to make friends here.
They say goodbye to the directors and leave the school. Sandra decides to take Marina to a restaurant where Miguel is waiting for them.
After twenty-five minutes, they arrive at the restaurant and have lunch: Noodles with shrimp, an orange Fanta, and lemon pie for dessert.
They leave the restaurant at four o'clock in the afternoon, but before Miguel hugs Marina and says:
"Did you have fun?"
"Yes, a lot, Dad. I love you."
Miguel gets emotional and says:
"I love you too, honey."
He hugs her again and pulls his wife close and says:
"Now yes, we are a real family."
They hug and after a long time they go home. They arrive home at 4:47 pm and Marina takes a shower, puts on her purple pajamas and goes downstairs to watch another movie with her parents.
They watch several movies until five o'clock in the morning. Then she goes upstairs to her room to sleep.
***
There is only one day left before school starts and Marina makes the most of it by going to the mall to buy her school uniform.
Then she and her adoptive mother go to Mc Donald's and eat an X-Bacon with a Coke.
When they finish their snack, the two go to the local cinema and watch Suicide Squad with popcorn and soda.
When they finish, Sandra says:
"What do you say we go to the amusement park?"
"Let's go, I love those rides."
They leave the mall and go towards the park, which is on the other side of the street. When they get there, Sandra buys two tickets for them to go on the boat.
After they leave the toy, they realize why it is not good to eat before going to those kinds of toys and vomit.
Sandra buys them a Coke to make them better, and then Miguel calls them and picks them up afterwards.
They get in the car and go home. Marina goes to the bathroom and takes a hot shower and gets all dressed up, putting on a thick coat, pants, socks and a cap.
She lies down in her room and sends a message to the girls at the orphanage:
"I am missing you all very much. Tomorrow my classes start. How are you guys doing? Kisses."
Then she sends a message to her best friend saying:
"I miss you so much Day. It's going to be the first time I'll be in a school and not have you by my side:'( "
"Marina, I miss you too. I'll see if I can ask my cousin to take me to your house as soon as possible, but at the moment he is working and we hardly speak anymore-Dayane".
"I'll send him a message.
Marina sends a message to her friend saying:
"Hi, how are you? When are you coming to visit me?"
"Hi Mari. I'm fine and you? I don't know, because I'm working a lot lately, but when it's possible I'll come by. I'll talk to you later, I'm going to church. Bye."
"I'm fine. Okay, then. See you soon."
He sends her another audio, but the song is by Ivo Mozart-How do I get you out of my head.
Marina listens to the song and realizes that he is suffering because he likes her and she doesn't give a shit about him, and she feels guilty and decides to send him a message that says:
"I'm sorry I'm making you suffer. The truth is that I like you, but I don't want to damage our friendship. I hope one day you will understand me."
Her friend Jurandir does not answer her message and she understands that he needs some time to reflect on this matter.
When the time comes, she realizes that it is seven o'clock at night and goes downstairs to go to dinner.
Sandra and Miguel decide to order a calabrian pizza and make a natural lemon juice, mixed with orange.
The pizza arrives after a few minutes. Miguel pays the bill and they eat in silence.
Later, Marina goes up to her room and listens to music, thinks about how her first day at school will be, if she will make any new friends, and finds herself thinking about her brother Thiago, who sends her a message:
"Good night little brother. I miss you. Kisses."
He answers after a few minutes:
"I'm fine Marina and you? Tomorrow my other term of college starts and I haven't seen you, but during the vacations I will visit you.
"I'm fine Thiago. Okay. We are waiting for you. Kisses, I'm going to sleep, it's late.
He replies with a "Good night sister" and Marina puts the cell phone aside, sets the alarm to wake up, takes a shower and puts on her purple pajamas and lies on her bed falling asleep after a few minutes.