9

CHAPTER NINE

JULIA

“I don’t want any single news of disturbance in the school. You go to school, and you focus on school. This is the last year, and you’re going to college next year, so focus on school. You know what will happen if you mess up. I don’t have to remind you.” Steve’s voice fills the car.

He isn’t talking to me. He’s never talking to me. He’s always strict with the boys, handling them harshly, and it makes me wonder if that’s why they are the way they are.

“Understood?” He demands.

“Understood.” They respond just as harshly.

What does he do when they don’t comply? Take away their toys?

“Julia, you are to let me know if anyone gives you too much trouble. Do not take bullshit from anyone, not even my sons. You are mine. They know who your stepfather is, so if they try to come close, you knock them back, hard. I have seen those muscles, so don’t hesitate to use them. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, though.” He flashes me a grin, and I nod, at ease.

Soon, we will be at the school.

Silas and Sebastian get down and slip into the crowd.

Steve helps me out of the car and leads me to the principal’s office.

He knocks and pushes the door open, not waiting for a response.

The principal, an older man who is on a call, doesn’t look up as he snaps, “You didn’t wait for a response –”

He freezes as he looks at us. He drops his phone instantly and stands up, “G … Good … Good morning … I … I am sorry …. Good morning.” He stammers, going red in the face.

“This is Julia, my stepdaughter. She’s starting school today. Give her everything she wants and more. Keep the troublesome kids away from her, which includes my sons. I want her to infuse into the school effortlessly.” He declares calmly.

“Of course. We will take care of her.” He avows, and I flush.

“Walk me to my car?” Steve asks softly, and I nod.

We walk out of the office just as the bell rings. The hallway is filled with a crowd of students who part for us as we walk past. I can hear the whispers and see the pointed fingers, but no one dares walk too close.

“Why are they so afraid of you?” I ask Steve.

He scoffs, “They are not afraid of me. They respect me. They know I don’t take insults lightly.”

I nod and sigh deeply.

“I should go. Class has started. Thank you for this.” I hug him lightly.

He kisses my forehead, “I’ll be here in the afternoon. Here, take this.” He hands me hundred dollar bills.

I don’t even bother to argue. Instead, I wave goodbye and head back to school. School is in session, and the hallway is getting empty. I realised too late that I didn’t ask for my class. Thankfully, I see Bree waiting for me.

“Hi, Julia. Come on, we are late for class.” She beams at me.

She’s wearing a stunning green dress. Her blonde hair flows behind her. She’s so beautiful, and I’m glad we are friends.

We walk into the class, and I freeze immediately because everyone is looking at me. Everyone, including Sebastian, Silas, and Alicia, the girlfriend. The class is filled with at least thirty students. A teacher is standing before them.

She smiles at me, “You must be Julia. I’m Ms Addison. Why don’t you get a seat, Bree?”

Bree nods and walks to her seat, leaving me alone.

“Can you introduce yourself to the class, Julia?” She asks.

“Hi, everyone,” I sigh, “I’m Julia Steel. I moved in about a week ago. I live with Steve Dalton and his twins, Silas and Sebastian. Steve and my mother are getting married, so he’s technically my stepfather. I’m excited to start school and make friends.”

“Wonderful. Why don’t we all welcome Julia?” Ms Addison urges.

No one speaks. Bree does, but no one else, not even the twins. Everyone looks at me, and I start to feel so stupid. Alicia coughs as she whispers, “Loser.”

My cheeks flame instantly, but I don’t take the bait.

I look at the teacher and ask, “Can I please sit?”

“Yeah, yeah, sit beside Bree.” She nods, looking at me with so much pity.

I walk to my seat and sit, only for a fart sound to fill the air.

Everyone bursts into laughter, and I almost die of mortification.

I stand up slowly, with a pounding heart and see that I sat on a balloon. Someone placed a balloon on my seat.

Anger rolls in me like a tide, and I grit my jaw hard, irritated.

“Quiet!” Ms Addison snaps, and they all fall silent.

Exhausted, I sit, determined to focus on class.

Bree leans in and whispers, “Sorry.”

I nod and try to focus on the class. Ms Addison is teaching English, but it’s so hard to focus. Alicia and her cohorts are seated behind me, murmuring and giggling, being so stupid. I clench my jaw hard as they move to touch my hair, pulling and messing with it.

“Stop.” I grit, but of course, they don’t stop.

They keep messing with me, touching my hair, and pushing me to my wits'' end. I hold on for as long as I can. Exhausted, I turn around to yell at them, only for something cold to be splashed all over my face.

I gasp in shock as the disgusting smoothie washes over my face.

The whole class erupts in laughter, again, and I am so angry.

“Oh my god, Julia!” Ms Addison gasps in shock.

Bree helps me to my feet and wipes away the smoothie. Alicia and her stupid friends are laughing, pleased with themselves, even as Ms Addison reprimands them.

Anger surges in me like a tornado, and I lunge at Alicia, murderous.