Broken ✓

F O U R | edited

ALEXA

I followed Jackson to a table in the cafeteria, where Elliot and Michael already sat at. I glanced around to see students chatting, avoiding the trio's gazes. Some, though, looked at me in envy and some in confusion. I, myself, am confused with their sudden interest in me.

"Oh, look, there's Alexa," Michael says, waving upon seeing me.

"Erm... hi," I say awkwardly, my face reddening as I realized that more and more people were taking an interest in our conversation.

Elliot simply nodded his head at me.

I sit down, wary. Jackson sits down next to me, grinning. Michael seems elated. Elliot seems indifferent.

"So," I started, shifting my feet, "why did you guys want to talk to me, exactly?"

"Andrew is your brother, correct?" Elliot asked me and, like always, his expression was blank.

I stared at him, unsure of what to say. How did he know Andrew? All I could to was look like a deer caught in headlights.

"What's with that face she's making?" Michael whispered (his whispering skills are terrible).

"Um, Elliot, I don't think you shoulda asked it like that," Jackson says. "She looks like she's gonna puke..."

"H-how do you know him?" I finally asked, my voice breaking a tad.

Andrew didn't even go to this school; he went to a behavioral school because that boy had some issues.

"We hung out all the time," Michael answered. "He was apart of our group, even though we didn't go to the same school. But then he went into a coma, or something... Yeah. And, well, we kind of found out you were his sister, so we reached out to ya."

"Are you mad that he's in a coma while I'm not?" I asked. I wouldn't blame them if they were. My mom's dead, my brother might die, and yet I walk around unscathed. Physically, at least.

"What? No." Jackson scrunched up his face. "We want you to be our friend, as our friend's sister. It's what Andrew would want, right, Alexa?"

Oh.

Well.

Okay then.

I shrugged. "I'm not a mind reader..." I looked at Elliot; he must've lost to the majority vote or something. But it's not like I can tell exactly what he's thinking. He only has one facial expression, after all.

"So what do you say?" Michael asked. "It's not like you have any other friends you'll have to ditch for us, right?"

Jackson smacked him. "He has no filter," he told me.

"And you have no brain!" Michael resorted.

"Well, you—-"

"Both of you, shut the hell up before I fucking kill you shitheads," Elliot said in a surprisingly calm voice.

Michael and Jackson listened. Smart move.

Michael sighed. "So, Alexa?" he said hopefully.

"Sounds fun," I muttered.

What do I have to lose? I have nothing to began with, so I might as well give this whole 'friend' thing a try.

***

After school, Veronica picked me up. When I got in the car, she asked me, "How was school?"

I remember when I hung out with Jackson, Elliot, and Michael through out the day. Even though it was school, I had the most fun I've had since when I was with Andrew. I felt a sense of guilt, but I couldn't figure out why.

"It was great," I answered.

Veronica smiled and began driving.

When we arrived at my new house, I literally gasped. It was like a mansion. Or it is a mansion, maybe. Too bad this place comes with cruddy stepbrothers. Veronica laughed at my boggling expression then said, "Your stuff's in your room. Let's go."

The inside was even more impressive, but I'm too lazy to give you a description, so I'mma pass on that, thanks.

"Here's your bedroom," Veronica said as she opened the door. Oh. My. Gosh. It's huge! Maybe I could just live in here and never come out. As long as I have books, I'll be completely fine staying here where no one could bug me.

Oh, and food will also help with me surviving in my massive bedroom. But I don't need too much.

Okay, I just really don't want to ever see my stepbrothers ever again. I know for a fact that some people even kill their relative, and my stepbrothers hate my guts, so what's stopping them?

Aside from laws, I mean.

But then again, that never stopped any criminals before, so never mind.

"Thanks, Veronica," I say.

"No problem, sweetheart."

***

I'm bored.

Like really bored.

I already finished packing, which only took thirty minutes,  and I now have nothing to do. Maybe I do need more entertainment than just books...

Plus, I only have one since my dad never buys me any. Oh, and this one book is from the school's library, so it's not even mine.

"Alexa! Boys! Dinner!" came Veronica's voice.

Oh, great. I hadn't seen the boys when I came home, and apparently I couldn't get through the day without seeing them. Fantastic. Well at least Veronica and Dad - I mean, just Veronica is there... right?

Well, I have to eat, I guess.

I made my way into the kitchen to see the brothers (not calling them my brothers) already sitting at the table. They all glared at me like they planned that but probably didn't. Veronica and Dad were there too, but they didn't notice. Even if my dad did though he won't care. He'll encourage them to torture me actually.

I sat down at the only seat left, which just so happened to be in between Zach and Cameron. They both scoffed and seemed disgusted with having to sit next to me. Why do these people hate me so much? Why does EVERYONE hate me?

Well, Michael, Jackson and maybe Eliot doesn't hate me.

Unless they're setting me up for a trap....

But I don't think they are.

Maybe.

Veronica made spaghetti for dinner. After not eating at all yesterday or today, I was extremely hungry and a little dizzy. I took my seat. I don't feel comfortable nor safe. I took a cautious bite, while my dad and Veronica held a conversation.

"Ow!" I blurted after being kicked from underneath the table. I couldn't tell who kicked me, or if it was an accident or not but it probably wasn't.

"Alexa, are you okay?" Veronica asked me.

I was about to tell her the truth, but then I saw Ryder glaring at me with so much hatred, that I gulped and stared at me food. He was the one that kicked me hard enough to probably leave a bruise.

"I just stubbed my toe," I lied.

My dad simply rolled his eyes. "Well. Veronica and I will be gone for a week—-"

"What? Why?" the twins asked in sinc, causing them to scowl at each other.

Meanwhile, I was on the verge of a breakdown. If they - well, Veronica leaves - what's going to happen to me?

"A business trip," Veronica answered. "We're leaving after dinner. Zach's in charge."

Why does life hate me so much?