8

CHAPTER EIGHT

JULIA

It’s the first day of school.

I wake up early and spend the first hour working out. I am a nervous wreck, and whenever this happens, it’s always better to work it out. I’ve been working out since I was fourteen. It started with simple gymnastics, but I found something comforting in it. My mom never understood, but I loved it.

Now, at nineteen, I have advanced to Pilates, Yoga and Intense Cardio. Working out clears my mind, and it builds muscle. Running also helps.

So, I work out for as long as I can, then I get ready.

I linger in the shower, shaving my body, then washing my hair. I am nervous but also excited. At least, I have a friend in Bree. I hope to make many more, and maybe I’ll also get a boyfriend. This can be the best year of my life!

Thankfully, there’s no uniform, so I can be experimental with my dressing. I spend about twenty minutes in front of the mirror. I curl my beautiful ginger hair, then apply simple makeup, just mascara, blush, and lip gloss. Satisfied with it, I chose a pair of black pants, a navy blue long-sleeve shirt, and a brown vest.

I squeak in excitement as I take in my whole outfit.

“Julia! You’ll be late!” Mom screams from downstairs.

I grab my bag and rush downstairs.

“Oh, look at you!” Mom smiles at me, and I blush.

“You look so beautiful. I love your hair! I love everything! You look so beautiful. I’m sure you’ll knock them all dead!” She gushes, smiling like a ray of sunshine.

“Thank you, Mom.” I sigh and grab the toast from the counter. I’m too excited to eat, but I make sure to eat a little. Then, I put the rest in my bag. I’ll be hungry later.

“Do you need money, or do you still have some with you?” She frowns, and I nod, “I still have some with me. I’m taking my car, right?”

“Steve is dropping you and the boys. Apparently, it’s a first day of school tradition, and we shouldn’t break it. He’ll also pick you up later.” She says cautiously.

Disappointment settles in me. I had hoped to take my car. I don’t want to go with the twins, especially with Sebastian’s constant anger. I don’t need their shitty attitude all over me.

“Do I really have to go with them? I can go to my home. I’m not really interested in Sebastian’s bullshit, Mom.” I grumble, flushing.

“Oh, no, sister. I thought we were friends.” Sebastian smirks as he walks down the stairs.

I look at him, and forget how to breathe. He’s wearing black slacks and a brown vest. His hair is slicked back, and he looks so different. My heart pounds hard as his brother appears behind him, dressed similarly, but wearing brown slacks and a black vest. How complementary of them. How wicked of them to look so dashing. Silas’s blonde hair is so beautiful, and his deep blue eyes seem to see everything.

“We are friends, are we not?” Silas asks, looking at me warmly, but all I feel is ice from him.

I don’t respond. I don’t take the bait.

“You look pretty, by the way. The hair, the makeup, how sweet of you. Let’s hope you keep your head by the end of the day.” Seb smirks, and I narrow my gaze at him.

A door opens, and Steve steps out, dressed and looking taller than usual. His face is covered in a mask of indifference, and I frown because I have never seen him like this. There are more and more sides to him that I discover. It makes me wonder if I know who he is, but maybe I don’t need to know. It doesn’t take much thinking to know that his sons are the constant source of his displeasure, the bane of his existence.

He looks at me, and his face softens, “You look beautiful, Julia.”

I melt like butter, “Thank you, Steve. I’m ready when you are.”

“Good.” He nods, glares at his boys, then walks to my Mom. He is possessive in the way he holds her, and even more, in the way he kisses her.

I look away immediately. Silas and Sebastian look disgusted, but that is not new. They always look disgusted, those fuckers. I grab my phone and walk out of the house. Unfortunately, the boys follow closely behind.

We stand by the car in silence until Silas speaks.

“You didn’t tell Steve about our … our intrusion while you slept?” He chose his words carefully.

I scoff, “Intrusion? Is that what you call it? What do you call breaking into my bedroom while I sleep?”

“Call it whatever you want.” Sebastian scoffs, and I roll my eyes at him.

“Anyway, you didn’t tell Steve about it. Thank you. We will stay out of your way as planned. We don’t have to pretend to have some sort of friendship. We are not really siblings, or related in any way, so let’s keep the courtesy to a minimum.” He is so curt and precise with his words.

It irritates me, especially because he refers to Steve as Steve, and not Dad. It’s insulting and degrading. I have so much to say, but I keep my words to myself.

Thankfully, Steve and my mom walk out, hand in hand.

“Good luck with school today. I know you’re going to have the best time today. You’ll have so many stories to tell.” She’s so hopeful, and I don’t want to kill that excitement in her.

“And, you, too, boys. Julia is family, now, so please be nice to her. She’ll need you as you’ll need her. Have a wonderful day.”

They don’t respond. Instead, we all get in the car and wait for Steve. He tells me to sit in the passenger's seat, so I do. Then, he drives, and I pretend not to notice the stifling tension in the car.