My Future Stepbrother

Chapter 140

Friday seemed to fly by. Brie was so excited to be on hair and make-up duty I barely took in anything else but her incessant ramblings about every way she planned to primp and polish us.


Bio was the first time I saw Jayce all day, Tara had apparently blown up on him when he got home and he'd been up half the night with a splitting headache. Then he'd slept in, earning him even more trouble. We didn't even get to talk, as soon as class started we were split into groups and his was on the other side of the room.


My mind had been so busy it wasn't until me and Kallie got to the bug and I saw Jayce’s car parked facing the trees that the ominous feeling that had filled my heart and mind for the last few days returned. That photo was taken in that spot, I looked into the treeline like somehow they would still be there but there was nothing, obviously.


“You okay Aleah?” Kallie gently rubbing my back in slow circles as she often did when sensing a change in my mood. I'd come to care so deeply about her in such a short period of time, I don't think I've ever met someone so intuitive.


“I'm good, just can't wait to find this creep tonight. Heads will roll, I swear, when I find out who did this...”


“Bitch get in line, I haven't punched a guy in the balls in so long my hand is getting itchy. Don't panic about it now, we still have a few hours and if you let it set in now you'll be a mess later.”


Brie was right. Nothing could be done until the prick decided to reveal themselves.


Kallie came straight to Granny’s with us, she'd put on quite the spread for us to munch on through the gruelling getting ready process Brie had planned. Sabrina was there with her little girl getting her and May ready for their own little disco too. Milo was so excited to have his first dance with his baby sister, I hoped I could sneak in and watch them just for five minutes, they were so adorable together.


We'd barely sat down in our room when Brie already had curlers being shoved into my hair, I'd learnt over the years just to let her do as she pleased. There was no reasoning with her when she was on a hair mission, Kallie’s scalp clearly hadn't had the training mine had so she yelped slightly in pain when her torture started, which Brie completely ignored.


Brie snuck up a bottle of wine she'd hidden in the kitchen and I drank it nervously, I had a bad feeling about tonight. I was trying to stay positive, focused, but all I kept thinking about was what would happen if this creep got to Chad before I had a chance to intervene. Kallie and Brie were trying to talk me into staying calm but the whole thing had just really freaked me out.


Brie finished Kallie’s hair first and was just putting the finishing touches on her make up when Drew started calling her and she popped into the bathroom for a little bit of privacy, I felt bad that what should be a special night for them would have this black cloud over it caused by my choices.


I became distracted when Brie started shoving my head around like it wasn't even attached to my body, curling and clipping up parts of my hair until finally she marvelled at her masterpiece. It was beautiful, a large perfectly messy bun with lots of little pieces hanging around to frame my face.


She continued on my make up as Kallie came back and lay on the bed, her green eyes piercing surrounded by the earthy tones of her eyeshadow. “Drew's dad is being a dick again, says he can't stay out with me tonight. Scared we'll end up doing something stupid and I'll end up pregnant or something, like I'd ever be that...”


Her hand immediately covers her mouth as she realises what she said, Brie pausing as the make up brush she uses stills just over my cheekbone.


She didn't mean it like that, I know she didn't but it didn't make it hurt any less.


“Aleah I'm so sorry, I-”


“It's okay Kal. I knew what you meant.” I flash my eyes to Brie and she quickly steps back, allowing me to scurry into the bathroom and cry in peace. I don't want Kal to see this, she'll already be hating herself enough for even saying the words without me adding to it.


Is it still okay to get so upset? Will it always be like this?


I take a deep breath, pushing a piece of toilet roll to my waterline to stop the tears falling and ruining Brie's work.


I sit in there for a bit and the girls leave me. I just need some time when things are like this, there's been so much stress lately. I just wanted to have a nice night but even now that's probably not going to happen. There's a gentle knock at the door after what feels like an eternity of me trying to hold it together and Brie's head pops in.


“Babe, do you still want to go? We'll all understand if you don't. I bet Chad would be just as happy to sit here and watch crappy films if that's what you want?”


I bet he would, he only ever wants to see me happy. I had to go tonight, it was my only chance to find out who took those pictures. I'd considered going to Tara's cop friend but I knew absolutely nothing about who could have taken them, if cops started sniffing around the school they could just post the pictures all over the Internet anonymously and disappear without me ever being able to find them.


There was another reason too. I'd decided either way I was telling Chad about me and Jayce tonight, even if we never got back together he deserved to know.

This might be the last night he would look at me with that beautiful smile, I didn't know what kind of pain this information would cause him. I wanted this one last night of us exactly the way we are that I could cherish if he decided to never talk to me again. I wanted a last time to hold his hand, to have him look at me like I was the most important person in the world, to get lost in laughter at his stupid jokes and innuendos. One last night of being his Ally, his senorita, in case he never called me them again.


“I'm good, can you fix this?” I ask pointing at my slightly watercolour-esk style makeup. She nods and I follow her out, making sure to hug Kallie tight so she knows I still love her dearly.


Brie got into her dress after she finished fixing me and looked completely gorgeous, I had no doubts all eyes would be on her tonight. She'd pulled her hair back into a high pompom and laid a delicate gold head chain across the front, like a crown upon her glorious queen forehead. Gold had become her little accent colour against the black, it was in the chocker around her neck, the rings on all her fingers and even on her nails. She looked beautiful, and dangerous. Her curves so evident you could run the grand prix around them.


Kallie’s look was far more modest, classy and minimalist but showing off all her natural beauty. I zipped up the back of her dress and it fit perfectly after Bries alterations, she'd added a bow to the back too which gave it a bit of something different.


“You look lush babe!” I state as Kallie tries not to admire herself too much in the mirror, I hope she realises now how pretty she really is. I'd seen her confidence grow so much over the last few months and I'm sure that hunky man of hers had helped.


Speak of the devil.

Drew honked outside and we all rushed down to see his face when he saw her, I was still in my pyjamas but me and Brie sat in the window as we watched Drew step out of the car.

Drew wasn’t one for too much formality, he'd put on a black shirt with a white skinny tie but still had on his black jeans and cons. I knew I liked that guy for a reason. We all giggled as Kallie approached the door.


“Bitch you're gonna knock him dead.”


Kallie took a deep breath before she opened the door but my eyes were glued to Drew as he finally took her in. His smile lit up the street, his hand on his heart as he let himself soak in his gorgeous girlfriend in all her glory. My heart was fluttering just watching them, Kallie barely had time to take a step forward before Drew had run and pulled her up into his arms. I could see their lips moving as he walked away still carrying her and it didn't matter that I couldn't hear them, I already knew what he was thinking by the look in his eye.


Brie pulled me back upstairs quickly so I could change into my dress, Sabrina was trying to wrangle May into going to the car but she was dragging her feet, I think she was hoping to see Chad whilst all dressed up in her pretty pink party dress. Too cute.


Brie helped me slide into my dress and zipped it up. She'd coated my eyes in a deep sea blue shadow, it was the only real colour on my face, everything else nude.


“You look like a princess babe, a sexy little slutty princess.” Was that a compliment? I'll take it.


There was a knock downstairs and Brie grabbed her bag before going to answer it. “Lock up when you leave hun, I'll go jump in with Sabrina, it's bad enough I'm going to this thing with Jayce Thompson without pulling up in the pussy magnet with Chad too.” I roll my eyes at her words as she shoved a long coat over her dress, there’s no way Granny would let her go if she saw it.


Dad hadn't packed me my jewellery box when I moved here so I was currently staring at what Brie had but nothing felt right, I wanted my mums necklace, the one I lent Kallie. Maybe Chad could run me to the Manor quick so I could get it?


I decided just to ask but if we couldn't I was good without jewellery anyway.


Standing at the top of the stairs my heart started to beat wildly, I could see Chad at the bottom, his tight body already looking amazing despite the fact I could only see the back of it, in a perfectly fitted navy suit. There are girls that would give all their limbs to be walking in there tonight with him looking like this. I walked down the stairs slowly but he never turned around, his eyes appeared to be glued to the fireplace.


“Chad?”


“If I turn around are you going to take my breath away like at the engagement party? Just promise you at least tried not to look incredible if you want me to keep doing this friend thing...”


I put my hand on his shoulder and attempt to turn him. “Unless you plan on spending the entire night with your back to me, you're just going to need to turn around and find out.”


He turned to face me, hands over his eyes before letting out a deep breath and allowing them to fall to his sides.
His chest stops moving, his eyes wide, I want to say something but his look is so intense I can't find the right words to complete this moment.


“Fuck.” Is all he says before finally stepping up to me and cupping my face in his hands. “How is it possible for one person to be so beautiful?”


My stomach erupts with butterflies, the way he's looking at me right now. I never want to forget it. I scan every inch of his smile and commit it to memory. Now he's turned I can see him properly, his suit is tailored to perfection, every rippling curve of his muscles evident through rich fabric. For once he's actually styled his hair but a part of me just wants to run my fingers through it and mess it up a bit. My Chad isn't this pristine, he's beautifully flawed.


“Not so bad yourself.” I smirk at him. He smirks back, confidence beaming off him as I stand slightly uneasy on these heels. He moves his hands from my face, letting the knuckles run down the side of my neck, over my shoulders and eventually holding my hands. His thumbs rub over the back of my ring finger before he smiles up at me again.


“I have something for you, but if you don't want to wear it tonight you don't have to..” He reaches onto the couch behind and I'm not sure what he means until his hand comes back to mine, holding a red velvet box.


“Chad...”


He smiles at me, knowing I was about to say I can't take that. “At least open it before you reject it completely.”


I take the from him box and open it slowly to reveal a beautiful blue sapphire and diamond bracelet. Each gem set in the shape of a tear and connected in a white gold loop. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever held, as my fingers caress the cool metal I notice the way it sparkles endlessly in the light, each diamond mirroring the reflection of it.


Chad takes the bracelet from its holder, discarding the box on the sofa and turning my wrist in his hand slowly before doing up the clasp. It's heavy, nothing like any piece of jewellery I've ever owned. I can't even imagine how expensive something like this must have been.


I can see Chad waiting for me to say something but I'm at a loss for words. There's something so familiar about it too, the shape is similar to my mother's necklace but that's not it... wait...


“That shop, by the pier, is this?...”


His smile grows as I realise where he bought this. Right back when we went to Kelly’s for the first time to do the Bio project we walked past this jewellery place, I saw this in the window and stopped. Chad asked me what I was looking at and I told him it reminded me of my mother's necklace. It was a fleeting moment, thirty seconds or less and before we were even friends, how did he even remember that?


“Yeah... I've kind of had it a while but there wasn't really the right time to give it to you... then I saw the colour of your dress and figured I might never get a better opportunity... do you like it?”


I run my fingers along the stones. “I think it's the most thoughtful gift anyone has ever given me. I love it... Thank you.”  I look up and meet his chocolate eyes, he looked so happy just staring at my smile. “I wish I knew you were going to do this.. I haven't got you anything.”


His hands move from my wrist to hold my waist and pull me to him. “I've already got everything I want right here.”


I can't do this. “Chad, I have to tell you some-”


I'm cut off as the front door swings open and May comes running back in, Brie chasing behind her. “She won't get in the car and stay there, she basically just jumped out as it was still moving!”


May stands smiling up at Chad like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. He leans down to her, moving the small curls that have fallen in front of her face and smoothing them behind her ear. “Well she can't go to the party dressed like this, she's far too pretty. How am I going to marry you May if all the other boys there see you looking so beautiful and try to steal you away from me?”


Brie's eyes roll so far into the back of her head I'm not sure they'll ever return but May has a smile on her face like she’s been given unlimited free trips to Disneyland, totally besotted with the handsome charmer before her. How is he so good with her? His kids will be so lucky to have him. He pulls her up into his arms. “Will you be good and get to the party without running away if I carry you to the car?” She giggles whilst nodding and Chad winks at me before taking her back outside.


“Bitch, nice ice.” Brie staring at my wrist. “Maybe I should get me one of these rich basketball players you're so fond of.”


I follow her out trying not to laugh...


Here we go....

Please remember to vote and comment beauts 😁 📖 ❤