My Stepbrother secret obsession

Nothing Else Can Replace Us

AVA

Immediately everyone left to get ready for the kick-off for the day; I had scrambled around the bed and pulled the nightstand drawer to see what Leigh had written in the small card I had tossed earlier away from mom.

The moment I picked it up between my fingers and unfolded a card containing stained ink, resembling Leigh's writing as I could fully remember, all air was knocked out of me.

"You are the spirit that inhabits in me and keeps me going, Ava. I now know I want more. I yearn to know how more feels like with you. A good writer said, 'Love ceases to be a pleasure when it ceases to be a secret.' It fears me before, but now I am confident nothing will deviate the passion and decisive emotions I've already carved in my heart for you. I want you to know even now, with limits between us, nothing else can replace us. I will wait from this summer to when the scarlet and golden leaves began raining down the avenues and carpeting the ground. And If that is not enough, I will pass through winter, taking in warm coffee to stay awake and remain cozy within one of your favorite blankets. And when it is spring, I will do some planting and propagate some vegetables, to remind myself everything takes time to blossom, that someday I will be able to pluck fresh and healthy days with you, how the seeds turn to fresh fruits after the calm wait."

Blushing in a stranded room in a shirt that wasn't mine but fitted me perfectly well, hanging off my shoulder, I hug the note and the rose flower, drifting into my favourite acquired scent, that was Leigh.

How foolish a loved person seems when alone in a room they can be free.

***

I managed to find something that made me look sexy and cute at the same time; I've never worn it ever since I brought it home with me last year from some store in Las Vegas boulevard.

It's a white fitted strapless, off the shoulder crop top that is clingy to my small breasts and stops an inch and a half away from my abdomen; I merge it with a red high waist mini denim skirt that shows most of my thighs. I don't think mom and Christian will like it, but they agree to grant me a free pass today, so I will benefit from most before the day ends.

Another reason I must confess is, the girls hanging with me today weren't just the kind that goes with a simple description; I am talking about one with bloody green eyes, full brunette hair and the other with rapture-blue eyes, hair so golden, the summer sun envies.
Even their teeth were a punctuation sign for me and their slim and tall figures that I will shame myself ever to think I can compete with. The least I could do was display my tan legs and shoulders and make a princess braid out of my long fake blond hair, as Sawyer had taught me in some of our zoom calls.
I finish up with a touch of makeup, hanging across my body a small tiny purse and slip my feet into black ankle boots, the heels very decent, I can walk the whole day freely.

After attacking myself with at least three designer fragrances, I grab my phone and fly down the staircase.

"Yay, she's here." Julian triumphed and reached forward, offering his hand to help me down. "Happy birthday, you look so hot. Don't tell your brother I say that," He whispered when he hugged me at the bottom of the grand staircase, and I giggled.

As I predicted, Princeton Claire is looking just stunning in a mid-waist ripped skinny jeans; her spaghetti strap crop top was too impressive to compete with. Yet again, I could only feel ugly standing close to her.
She wore a tainted sunglass and model heels that, for a second, I thought of punishing her through the day with a long walk for slapping me in the face with her blessings. Her hair was made in a messy yet perfect high bun with loose strands, completing the style.

Breathe, she's not your enemy.

"Claire."

"You look good for seventeen." Her lips move to a smile as Lilith descend the staircase, also not looking anything less than I thought.