Chapter 2

It clicked after I saw him. Why Richard looked so familiar. He’s the grown up but still hot version of his son. 

I watched as Adrian recognize me and if I could turn back the hands of time, I’d go back to an hour ago and make sure that I had a bath and put on something that makes me look good. 

I’m currently covered in sweat from all the arrangement I’ve been doing and my clothes have a layer of dust on them. It didn’t even occur to me to clean up before coming out. Not like I expected my new step brother to be Adrian. 

I watched as he took it, me, in before giving that all too familiar smirk. To any other person, it would have looked like he was really happy to see me and all of that but to me, someone who has been on the receiving edge of that knowing smirk more than once, I know exactly what it meant. 

“Adrian, this is Jane, your new sister. Jane, this is Adrian, my son” Richard introduced us. I didn’t even realize he was there alongside mom and I snapped back to reality. 

“Oh, I know who she is” That voice that has been an element of my nightmares not once or twice spoke up. It had that mischievous tone to it, one I know very well means he has something up his sleeve and I am going to be on the receiving end of it. I shudder at the thought. 

“That’s splendid then. Since you both attend the same school, I’m sure you’re going to get along just fine.” I looked on, unable to form words that I’m positive won’t come out as gibberish. 

No one noticed my freezing other than who caused it and he gave me a smile only I could interpret. I’ve got you now. 

We were ushered into the dining room whose table was already laid with food. I excused myself to go and freshen up and I heard Adrian do the same as soon as I left. 

I rushed to my bedroom knowing he was hot on my heels and I could feel myself hyperventilating. It was hard to breathe knowing that the hottest boy in the school was in the room right next to mine. And that he was my stepbrother. 

I know it’s rude to keep everyone waiting and I couldn’t stay in here forever, so I quickly cleaned up as best as I could and wore something comfortable. There’s no point in dressing up for him, since we’re going to be living together, he’s going to be seeing me at my worst either way at one point or the other. 

This was my absolute nightmare and biggest fantasy come to life. I’ve always liked him. His easy smile when he wasn’t being a bully and his looks and the fact that he was a pretty good student when he puts his mind to it and all of that made it easy for anyone to fall for him, and I’m not an exception. 

I wanted him but not this way. The way he looked at me earlier? It’s only a matter of time before he turns his bullying on me and that’s not going to be pretty. 

He had gotten back to the table before me and it took all of my strength not to melt under his gaze and disappear into the floor. 

Dinner was hard to get through because everyone, by that, I meant Richard and mom, tried to get me to talk and I just couldn’t. Not with him right there looking at me like I was his next meal. That shark of a young man. 

Eventually, we finished and I claimed fatigue and went to my room early because I know a “family meeting” was inevitable. I couldn’t stand staying in the same space with him any longer than I have. He makes my skin hotter than I never thought possible and I just had thoughts running through my head the whole time. This should be considered unhealthy and I know it. 

I was finally able to breathe inside. I could hear voices filtering from the dining room and then footsteps and I knew he was already going to his room. It was confirmed a few moments after when his door shut. Just knowing he’s right there makes my mind go crazy. 

I tone them down, my thoughts and got on the bed. I’m actually exhausted from everything and I know I’m going to be sleeping quite soundly tonight. 

I was already falling asleep when I heard a knock on the door. My sleepy mind didn’t register to ask who was at the door. It had to be mom. 

I’d forgotten that it’s not just mom and I anymore and the shock that went through me when I saw a shirt that clung to a very hard, lean body was something that if filmed would have gotten to the top viral reactions on the internet. 

The sleep went out of my eyes immediately and I tilted my head slightly to the smirking face of Adrian. My face flushed and I knew there was no getting back from this. 

I tried to shut the door but he was way stronger. He pushed at the door, keeping it open but didn’t enter into the room. He understands boundaries. That’s a good thing, I think. 

“That’s quite a rude way to acknowledge your sibling, don’t you think?” I tried to shut my eyes at the sound of his voice, hoping he wasn’t real and I was just imagining him right here late at night in front of my room because I had been thinking about him before I fell asleep. 

“Please don’t be real. Please don’t be real” I said over and over, a very delusional part of me wishing he wasn’t her and a rational part of me understanding that he was actually there. 

“You can’t wish me away. And I don’t have time for all of these things you’re about to perform. You don’t have to hide the fact that you’re so happy about the fact that you’re now living with me, it’s all over your face. I’m just here because I was told to as past of brotherly courtesy” He said brotherly like it was the most horrible word he’s said all year and it probably is. 

“Ok” was all I could get out. He’s so near I could touch his skin without moving my arm away from my body and I’m pretty sure he knows the effect that is having on me. 

“Well, they expect me to drive to school everyday and that’s not happening. I don’t have time to babysit anyone but they can’t know that. You can’t be the reason my dad gets mad at me” He looked at me up and down, making me extremely self conscious. 

“It’s not far. I’ll walk” I said quickly. I don’t want to get on his bad side more than I already have. I know how disastrous that’s going to be if that’s what happens. 

“And have them call a jury on me? Nah. What you’re going to do is get into my car every morning, we’ll drive three houses down where they wouldn’t be able to see the car anymore and you’ll get out and walk. I can’t wait for you so you have to be early or I’ll leave you behind” He thought about something for a second. “We don’t need to pretend to come back together, they wouldn’t be back by then but just in case one or both of them are home early, you’ll wait for me at the drop off point in the afternoon. And we’ll get in together. Do you understand?”. 

That was the most he’s ever spoken to me ever since I’ve known him. I doubt he knew about my existence before now and I know he said he did but he’s never made as much as an eye contact with me personally so I can’t confirm that. 

I nodded my head, letting him know that I understood everything and to be honest, it works for me too. 

He turned to leave but changed his mind and I groaned a little bit, quietly so he doesn’t hear. 

“Don’t ever try to make it look like you know me personally in school. You and I know you’ll hate yourself if that happens. I don’t want you to associate with me and definitely don’t talk to me or ask me questions. I’ll ignore you”. He looked at me again. “I wouldn’t waste my time on the likes of you”.

My heart broke a little at that but I braced myself up. This is typical Adrian King behavior. I shouldn’t be surprised. I don’t know why I’m surprised. 

His smirk showed that he knew he had gotten to me. 

He finally turned to lea

ve, with his last words. 

“Welcome to hell… sister”. 

I’m fucked.