Bully stepbrother

10. Redhead

The courtyard is quiet and empty, just like every other day. Sometimes I wonder why no one in the building uses this spot. It's the best place to bring my problems.

I sat on the bench beside the hebetudinous fountain, angrily wiping away the tears falling down my face. Two days ago, I was hopeful our relationship might improve. I thought we could be making dinner together and shopping for supplies, just like any normal siblings do. For a day, I thought we might have something in common. But yes, I will never have it.

Caden hates me; he has hated me since the day we first met. The words he used to approach me on that day are still fresh in my head. He called me ugly and nasty, instead of a simple hello or welcome. We were both thirteen, but he treated me as if he was older, as if I was some dirt in a dumpster. He made sure to convince me I was unworthy, stripping me of my courage and security, and leaving me with nothing a girl would need to survive her teenage years.

What have I ever done wrong to deserve such treatment? Why does he want me to be alone? How could he treat me so roughshod?

"Hey? Do you think I should just... do you need space?"

I looked up to my side and found a redhead, awkwardly weighing his choices.

"It's okay, you can use the place, I'll go for a walk." I briefly wiped my tears and stood up.

"You okay?" He seemed concerned. Should he be? I'm sure he's not used to seeing girls stranded in an abandoned courtyard crying their eyes out.

"I don't know," I replied, trying to appear stable.

"You wanna talk about it?"

I smiled to myself, sure that he wouldn't be interested in a story like Caden and mine.

"It's a long story."

"Then it could keep me company until Molly returns," he suggested.

"Mmm."

"So, tell me why a pretty girl is crying in an abandoned courtyard?" He intriguingly asked, sitting next to me on a public cement bench.

"My friend from school came, and Caden threatened to break his fingers and kicked him out because I thought I could resist his menace." I can't believe Caden threatened Asher. This shouldn't have happened. He can't go pushing away everyone good in my life.

"Is this friend harmful?" He curiously asked.

"No, he's just a simple guy focusing on his studies. He's the only friend I've ever had," I embarrassingly mumbled, though it didn't seem to surprise him.

"But why would your brother do that?"

Somehow I felt better sharing it with someone for the first time, even though I barely knew this person. I must be extremely angry.

"Caden's my stepbrother, and he's been cruel to me since our parents met."

I'd say he's still angry because my mom married his dad, but Caden had never complained about our parent relationship. He's never mentioned his mother, who's still alive and presently living in Spain after the death of her daughter, Caden's twin sister Cara.

I've seen Cara's picture; she was pretty, a cute female version of Caden. She had hazel eyes and a pretty nose. It's sad she only lived a short while-she died at ten. And no one in the family ever talks about her anymore. I know Mom and Dad sometimes visit her grave, but they've never taken Caden and me with them.

"Maybe he's looking out for you," Redhead believed. He has no idea that it's nothing close to that. I used to believe Caden was protecting me, but then I realized the more we grow up, the worse his attitude towards me becomes.