My Stepbrother: secret possession

Standing Alone Naked While Lecture Is Going On

The weekend passed as usual. Leigh avoided coming home, and even at the gymnasium, there was no sign of him. On the other side was Lilith, my next-door enemy whom I've grown accustomed to living with. Snubbing each other had become our habitual routine, acknowledged even by Mom and Christian.

The thing is, I could handle every impetuous impact from Embry and the other girls, but Lilith's behavior on Halloween was something entirely new to me. I suppose anyone in my position would see it that way, considering she had always been a rescuer to me. Yes, we've had our ups and downs, but her bullying me and teaming up with her friends felt like a slap in the face, a very unexpected one.

On Monday, while I was on my way to school, I spotted the familiar Mercedes, and I wished the ground could split open and swallow me whole. Allow me to give you a brief summary of how my day started before the car, which I was sure would stop for me, pulled up beside the road.

I left home feeling lifeless after another argument with Sawyer. We were supposed to have a sisterly night, just like the Disney characters we've always dreamed of being. Not only was Sawyer mad at me for days, but even Mom was upset because of my uncontrollable attitude over the weekend. Everything seemed to easily provoke me, and for that, I blame myself for thinking I could fit into a world that was never meant for me.

Setting all of that aside, I couldn't find my homework, which I had spent three hours perfecting. I woke up this morning only to realize it wasn't on my shelf. That led to me running out of time, and I was certain I could be marked absent for first period. What could help ease the troubles of my recent dysfunctional life? You might say tea, right? Well, wait until I tell you that I had forgotten my flask on the island while searching for my homework folder, amidst shooting back at my unforgivable cousin.

Enough disasters, you might say. I thought so too until Embry's shiny red Ferrari passed by and showered me with black coffee. Now I looked like someone who had stayed up all night and received a brain electroshock. Thanks to my now sticky, damp hair and my stained-pink dungaree.

And then, the horn sounded as I played the preoccupied and oblivious card.

"Hey Ava," Arlen Garrett lowered his head, smiling as usual. He must have a great life because he looked organized and completely different from me.

"Hi," I smiled back.

Either he was expecting an explanation for my atrocious appearance, or he was simply being polite and would skip the "what happened to you" question.

"Get in, it's getting late," he offered. Although driving in close quarters with Arlen Garrett was the last thing I needed right now, I agreed. After all, I didn't want any additional punishment for being late, especially since I didn't have my homework file in my backpack. So I climbed into the passenger side.

"Your seatbelt?" He beamed, and I almost bit my tongue in annoyance.

"Thanks, Mum," I rolled my eyes but made sure to put on a fake smile, even though deep inside it wasn't a joke.

"Your brother is always blabbering about driving you safely. I want no trouble—we have a lot between us lately. He seems protective of you."

How could I control my anger? "He. Is. Not. My. Brother," I emphasized, straining to convey my point. Why did they all address Leigh as my brother? For one, our parents hadn't even married yet, and even if they did, we would only be step-siblings. "And trust me, he's not protective of me. He's just being neutral." I don't even know if that made sense to him because it didn't make much sense when I replayed it in my head.

"Yes, neutral," he replied with sarcasm, but I remained quiet until we arrived at our destination.

With a 'thanks' and 'I'll see you later,' I scrambled out of Arlen's car and hastily walked away, not because the bell had rung, but because I hoped he wouldn't take the chance to ask me out again.