In Love With My Evil Stepbrother

Chapter Fifteen There’s a deathly silence. From the corner of my eyes, I can see how astonished both Alex and my mom are. Sure, Eason didn’t do things like giving me a French kiss or grabbing my ass, but his behavior was still outrageously inappropriate. Who would rip off a tag using his teeth?! “Let’s go.” I said sharply, trying hard to suppress the anger in my chest.

Alex follows me out of the yard, as I can feel his eyes are tracing me, apprehensively. I have a strong feeling that he’s going to ask me what happened between me and Eason, and I don’t blame him for that, but I internally pray that he would just let everything slide. The first 3 minutes of the drive is nice and quiet, with both of us wrapped up in our own thoughts. Then finally, he opens his mouth, “Nat, what’s wrong with—” “Nothing!” I cut him off, before he can finish the sentence. Irritation flares up in my heart. Great, now my ball night is officially ruined. I know Alex’s curiosity is not the one to blame, so everything’s on Eason. He knows this would happen, and that’s precisely why he pulled that off in front of Alex and my mom.

To deliberately sabotage my life.

“Oh…well.” Alex shifts nervously in the driver’s seat, his eyes still on the road. “If you don’t want to talk about it. That’s fine.”

“It’s not that. I just don’t know where to start-it’s complicated.” “Well, we have plenty of time. It’s going to be a long drive.”

I open my mouth, but no words come out of it. I do want to talk about it, how evil, manipulative, and inappropriate my stepbrother is. Yet I can’t do that without going into details and exposing some shameful memories that I’ve desperately wanted to forget.

“…sorry Alex.” And that’s the only thing I can say.

There’s an awkward silence, then he speaks up in a strained voice, “That’s fine. No worries.”

And that’s the end of my last shred of hope for a wonderful ball night. We keep our mouth shut for the rest of the drive, and when the car finally pulls into the student lot, I’m even a bit relieved to escape this confined space with Alex.

We get out of the car and join the crowd of students heading towards the Great Hall. Everyone’s so dressed-up in elegant nightgowns and suits that subtly hint at their designer origin. One would easily mistake this gathering as a fundraising gala than a school homecoming party.

Upon arrival at the entrance, Alex suddenly pulls me to a halt. “Wait, Nat. There’s something I want to give you…”

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a corsage, made of a fully blossomed red rose. Embarrassment flits across his face, as he clears his throat and says, “Well I know it’s not a prom and it’s probably stupid. But-anyway I had this for you, and I want you to have it.”

I’m totally astonished by his kind gesture. I’ve only been in one serious relationship with Zack, who turned out to be a pretentious and self-centered asshole. Guess I’m not used to be treated nicely. “Wow,” I gulp. “I mean, thanks! A lot!” He smiles at me sheepishly, “don’t you think it’s a bit cheesy?” “No. Well, yeah, kind of. But it doesn’t stop me from loving it.” His smile grows wider, and then steps closer to help me put on the corsage. But right at this moment, someone suddenly calls his name from behind.

“Hey Alex!”

We both spin around to find a tall black girl rushing towards our direction. She’s dressed in a

gown, wearing silver stiletto. Unlike my clumsiness, she’s

is—” “Andria, his ex-girlfriend,” Andria reaches out her hand to me, “I’m a year older, so we probably never met before. Unless you are new to this school?” I take her hand and shake it. The strong feeling that the corsage brought me has now faded away, replaced with a surge of sadness and embarrassment. From a peripheral look, I can see Alex nervously look at

“But-”

I could. “She flew a long way home, just here to see you. Just

agreed to come to the ball with me, I’ve thought the worst thing that might happen is we don’t hit it off and therefor have a lousy time. But reality is a bitch, always hits you harder than you could possibly imagine. Guess I can’t escape

there’s Valerie and her gang standing by the beverage section, currently elated by the attention of a group of boys. They are like animals,

but I’m so emotionally fucked up to mingle. So I quickly

have a my eyes on the empty space behind the ceiling-to-floor velvet curtain. It’s far away from the dance floor and food bar, so no one would ever come here. Well, I probably need to defend my territory from drunk teenagers who want to make out, but I should be gone long before that. But when I pull open the curtain, to

snaps his head up, looking like a frantic bird. Yet then he narrows his eyes at me, “Natalia Moore?” “…Eddie?” That’s

“Yeah that’s me!”

curtain behind me and sit cross-legged on the floor beside him. “What are you doing here?” I ask. I thought he had found his place in this

smiled when I asked her, so I took that as a yes…but maybe she was just laughing at me, you know, sarcastically.” “Bummer,” I reply dryly. “You gotta be sure next time.” Guess isolating me and treating me like trash aren’t a

spend the rest of the time sitting on the floor in darkness, listening to everything behind the curtain. I heard Mr. Ramirez give his speech, which was so beautifully delivered. A tidal wave of applause broke out when he finished, as I couldn’t help myself join the group

and I nod. Yes he’s a wonderful guy. But why would he have

turn around to see Eddie staring at me nervously. He licks his dry, cracked lips and finally after

almost roll my eyes at him. “No. Not really. And

we first met. But we can still go

stupid protest. Plus, you will become the next target. Hashtag, stupid loser rocking the dance floor with the school freak. Do

Prition

really want that?”

him in the eyes. A

from the floor, nodding continuously with an eager look on his face. I suppress a smile.

take his arm and pulls open the curtain. Yet before I even get

is grim and cold, fixing on my face and then gradually traveling downwards till

his lips slightly parted, letting out a few

at us sends a chill