My Stepbrother

Chapter 19: Tension

chapter 19: tension

"Hey, hon, are you okay?" My mom asks me for what's gotta be the twentieth time. I understand why she's so worried, I mean I haven't been very active since the night I come from the party and any mother would be dying to know what happened to their daughter. But she's got to comprehend that asking me over and over again is not going to get me to talk but frustrated at her.

I held my temper back and bit my tongue when I felt a nasty remark try to slip out, instead saying, "Mom, please, I'm fine. Just not feeling very well." But honestly... I didn't know whether I was trying to convince my mom, or myself.

She shared a worried glance with Matthew. As if on cue, the devil in disguise walks into the kitchen and as always, I try to avoid his eyes. It's been like this for two weeks now, it consisted of me always casting my eyes downwards and never joining any conversations that has him in it. He didn't seem to want my attention anyway, and as much as I try to deny it, I knew I was somewhat disappointed of the fact.

Then my thoughts wondered back to that guy I ran into the other night. Name's Jess, nice to meet you. His offer circled my mind as well. How the hell could he help me be stronger? I get that I'm not the most mentally nor physically tough girl out there but I can't be so bad that he felt the need to help me out of no where. Maybe I am.

Shut it, Roslyn! Are you hearing yourself? You're thinking of hitting up a guy that you don't even know. He could be some psycho or a creep that's into cannibalism.

"-lyn! Roslyn!"

I snapped back into reality and glanced around me. Everyone, including Drake, was looking at me. Except only two pairs of eyes seemed worried. And none of them are Drake's.

"Huh? What is it?" I licked my lips and focused my attention around me.

"I'm making toast, do you want yours with eggs?" She asked, although looking into her eyes, I could tell she was also questioning whether I was okay, still.

"No, I'm fine." Double meaning. "Um, I'm not feeling hungry, actually. I'll be in my room." I stood up without waiting for a reply before I headed out the kitchen.

-

"-was horrible. i just don't know what to do." i sobbed at the computer. Makeyla frowned from the other side of the screen, eyes filled with sympathy.

"Roslyn please calm down and tell me what happened." Her voice was aced with desperation and worry. "Was it Mathew? Is he not as nice as we thought?"

"N-no." I gulped down a sneeze. "He's alright."

"Then what is it? Please tell-" She paused. "... Was it Drake? What am I kidding, of course it was Drake! What the fuck did he do?"

-

The rest of the day consisted of hours on FaceTime with Makeyla. I told her everything that happened ever since we got to Miami. How good we were getting along, him helping me get over my fear, us flirting here and there, the beach and how it all led up to the party drama. I can see the mixed feelings in her eyes as she stared at me through the screen. She was also confused as to why the big change in Drake all of a sudden.

"What happened when you went out after Drake?"

"Um, well. I found him pressed up against some girl. They were making out and I-I-"

"It's okay, baby, I get it." She frowned. "I wish I was there with you, right now."

"Me too." I whispered.

She tried to confront me a while I just prayed in my head and questioned what I had done to deserve such a best friend. She was everything anyone could ever want in a best friend.

"I fell.. I fell hard for him without even noticing, Mak! I don't want to like him, he's a fucking asshole."

"You actually like him?! Like, legit like him?"

I nodded, wanting to facepalm so badly.

"I know, I know. I hate myself for this."

"Awe, baby. Is that it?"

"N-no. There was this other guy..."

"Damn, you've only been there for a few weeks, you already snagged all those guys?!"

I rolled my eyes, giggling. "Shut up. Anyway, he stopped me in the middle of the side walk and made me feel as if I was being kidnapped.. All just to tell me that he could teach me how to be stronger or tougher. Which I completely doubt, by the way."

"You should totally let him."

"What?"

"Let that Jess guy teach you some stuff."

"Dude, no! It could be some kind of murderer!"

"Just take a chance."

I paused, looking her dead in the eyes. "makeyla."

"mhm?"

"ARE YOU FREAKING HEARING YOURSELF RIGHT NOW?" I yelled causing her to jump at the sudden sound. "you are suggesting i call up some guy i've never met just because he offers some good deal which, may i remind you, I don't know is true or not. You might as well tell me to get into a car with someone because they're offering me candy!"

"ooh yea, good point." She nodded. "How about training outside your house, like when Drake insn't around but your parents are."

"i'll think about it."

-

I stared at my phone for what felt like a thousand seconds. On the screen the number of the guy from that night. I didn't know whether to press 'call' or the home button. Taking a deep breath, I looked around cautiously as if someone were to be spying on me in my own room. i rechecked if anyone was in the hallway listening to me, but there was no one.

Then before I could change my mind, I pressed the call button. OH SHOOT WHY'D I DO THAT?! Right when I was about to hang up, a voice came from the device. "Hello?"

holy pickles! "hello?? is this a fricking prank, look i can hear you breathing!"

I quickly put the phone to my ear, "No, I'm sorry. this is the girl from the other night. the one you offered lessons to?"

"Oh roslyn! can i ask why you didn't talk at first?"

"n-not important. I just want to ask you if your offer was still up?"