ʙʀᴏᴋᴇɴ ✓

F O R T Y - S E V E N

Alexa

"I just knew there was no way you'd be taken away from us!" Veronica said with glee, wrapping me up in a tight hug, but I wore a tight frown on my face, one that she didn't even notice.

We immediately came home after the trial, giving me no time to try and talk to my uncle or friends. I hate this, I thought, feeling as if I could cry or scream at the top of my lungs. After literally everyone being against my dad, how did he win the trial? Something isn't adding up. That entire thing was rigged, it was so fucking obvious.

"Yeah, me too," I lied. It was obvious in my tone. I wasn't even pretending to be elated. I'm miserable. I should have just fucking killer myself or something, so I wouldn't have to still be here with my dad.

"Are you okay?" Veronica asked me, finally noticing how unhappy I was.

"Yeah, just tired," was all I said. Lie. All I do is lie. Lie, lie, lie.

I'm a fucking liar.

My step brothers were there too, unsure on what to say, just merely exchanging looks with one another and giving me saddened looks. Is it because they don't want me here?

No, no, no.

They just want me to be happy, right?

Dad was here too. He chuckled. "I can't believe they thought they had even the remote chance of winning!" he said. "Can everyone please leave so I can talk to my daughter privately?"

"No way—" Zach was quick to say.

"Boys, let them have time alone!" Veronica chided. "Out! Out, all of you!"

Veronica somehow managed to get them to leave, despite their colorful protests.

It was just me and my dad now.

"So you told your stepbrothers about your well deserved punishments, huh? I'm assuming you also told your uncle... and were those boys your friends? What a slut." Dad said to me, agitation written all over his face. "You're lucky that I was able to get a friend to be the judge, but you screw up like that again, then you certainly won't like the punishment. You'll... lose something important. My friend would like that. I mean, you're already a slut, so what's the harm?"

I felt sick.

"O-Okay, I promise I won't tell anyone else," I said, shaking slightly. "J-J-Just please don't..."

"Consider this your warning."

***

I hurriedly went to my room, feeling as if I could cry, but I wasn't alone. All of my step brothers were waiting there. Seriously? I didn't have time for this shit.

"What are you guys doing here?" I questioned, trying to remain as calm as possible.

"Are you okay?" Justin asked.

What is with people asking their own questions instead of answering mine?

"I'm fine," I said, and then repeated my previous question. "What are you guys doing here, in my bedroom?"

"We just wanted to make sure you were fine," Jason said.

"And I said that I was, so you can go," I said, wondering if that was a bit too harsh.

"Just because you said you're fine, doesn't mean it's true," Ryder said.

"Okay, if I wanted to talk about my feelings, I'll hit up Michael," I said.

"But we're willing to listen to you!" Ryder exclaimed. "We didn't get off to the right foot, so I understand, but you're not alone!"

"I know," I said as if I was talking to a small child. "I have Elliot, Michael and Jackson and Ryan."

"Ouch," Zach muttered. "I thought you forgave even me."

"I did." I sighed. "But I can't just pretend that nothing happened... and I do wanna thank you guys for taking my uncle's side on the matter, though it didn't really work."

"Well... you're welcome, I guess," Cameron said. "We just want to let you know that we tried to tell our mom, but she didn't believe us soooo guess who's grounded? Yeah. But as long as we're here, we'll make sure your dad never touches you again. I promise."

I felt touched, but that's not a promise that they would be able to keep. "Thanks," I simply said, sitting in between Cameron and Ryder on my bed. Zach was leaning on my dresser, while the twins stood on the other side. "Can we talk about something else now? Or you can get out... I won't be against that."

Do I even have a filter?

"Sure, what do you wanna talk about?" Zach asked.

"I dunno. Someone else pick the topic."

"Oh! I know!" Jason grinned. "So your friends with those three boys, huh?"

"Do you like any of them?" Justin questioned, rubbing his hands together.

"Uh—"

"Oh, she's also getting a bit too close to Ethan and Blake," Ryder spoke up.

"Not by choice," I quickly stated. "I hardly like those two as friends, and they can't even be classified as that. And my actual friends are just friends."

"That's what they all say," Cameron sighed. "So, so innocent. One day, you're gonna catch feelings for one of them and they might end up dead in a ditch." He smiled.

My eyes widened. "Um... I don't think so—Are you implying that you're gonna kill them?"

"No....?"

"With our help probably," Zach said. "You're our sister now, like it or not, so as your big brothers, it's our responsibility to get rid of those creatures—"

"Boys?" I asked, unimpressed.

Zach shuddered. "That word disgusts me."

"...is that not your gender?"

Jason chuckled. "Yeah, but logic doesn't exist when it comes to being protective."

"Being protective sounds like fun... and like hard work," Justin seemed conflicted.

My face went red. "I'm not gonna like any of them!" I said. I don't think. "And are you assuming my sexuality?" I challenged.

They stared at me before Cameron responded. "Of course not.... but we might have to hire someone to get rid of that girl...."

I was still unimpressed.

"Wow, thanks so much... but let's not commit murder."

"No promises!"