I am his

45

As the day unfolded, the complexities of my new family dynamic still lingered in my mind as I waited for Mia downstairs. With my parents already off to work, it was just the two of us, facing the uncertain venture of school together.

Mia appeared, in a black hoodie and leggings, her nerves evident in her choice of attire. "Sorry, I, uh, didn't know what to wear," she stammered, perhaps feeling the weight of being the new kid in a sea of unfamiliar faces.

"It's okay. You're fine," I reassured her, realizing the need to put on a strong front for both of us. With keys in hand, I took charge, driving us to school as we navigated the morning traffic.

As we parked in the school lot, I felt a surge of anxiety, knowing how gossip spreads like wildfire among teenagers. Sensing Mia's concern, I whispered, "When we walk in there, pretend you don't know me. I don't need everyone knowing about my messed-up family." It was a plea to protect both of us from unwanted attention.

Just as we stepped out of the car, Madison, approached, and I knew I had to manage the delicate balance between my two worlds. With a calculated move, Madison kissed me, and I reciprocated, aware of her watchful eyes sizing up Mia. Maintaining composure, I explained to Madison that Mia was a "family friend" as we made our way into school.

Once inside, Mia sought directions to the office, but before I could step in to help, Madison offered to show her the way. A glimmer of pride flashed within me as I urged Madison to be polite, knowing that Mia was stepping into unfamiliar territory.

Later, as the school day drew to a close, a confrontation with Naomi caught me off guard. A lingering tension existed between us, evident in her eye roll and snarky remark. Unfazed, I responded playfully, "Yeah, we'll see at dinner tonight, won't we?" Her mention of a surprise dinner intrigued me, as I had no clue what she was talking about.

As I navigated the tumultuous waters of high school, my attention was drawn to an unexpected sight—Mia engaged in conversation with Jackson. An indignant feeling surged within me, and I couldn't help but scoff at the audacity of Jackson, casually wrapping his arm around her as if he had some claim to her.

With an impulsive surge of possessiveness, I acted swiftly, pulling Mia closer to me, asserting my presence in the situation. "Hey, dude, it's okay to share, you know," he taunted with a smirk, trying to rile me up.

I met his provocation with a steely resolve, my grip on Mia tightening. "Touch her again, and I'll beat the shit out of you again," I warned, the memory of our previous encounter still fresh in my mind. Jackson may have been daring, but I was not one to back down.

His cocky demeanor persisted, undeterred by my warning. "Oh, yeah, because she's really into me," he smirked, glancing at Mia, who surprisingly smiled at his audacious statement.

My emotions were in a frenzy, and I directed my next words at both of them, determined to make my stance clear. "Don't touch her, ever. And you," I turned to Mia, a mixture of concern and frustration evident in my voice, "if I ever see you near him again, God, I don't know what I'll do."

I clasped her hand firmly, a silent declaration of my intention to protect her from any potential harm, whether it came from Jackson or anyone else. With my emotions still swirling, I guided her towards the car, seeking a moment of solitude to process the complexity of emotions stirred up by this unexpected encounter.

In the confined space of the car, emotions swirled between us, and tensions escalated with Mia's poignant question, "Why are you such an ass? You don't even like me." As the doors locked behind us, there was an air of confrontation and vulnerability, each word laden with unspoken frustrations.