Rival / New Brother

Natalie's pov

That was it.

I knew I wasn't going to let it slide this time.

“Excuse me?” I asked, unable to help myself.

My mother kicked me lightly underneath the table.

I ignored her, I could feel my ears get hot. I clenched the spoon in my hands, trying to keep the emotion at bay.

“You are well excused. Just as you'll soon be from the University.” Kian retorted.

That lazy grin was back on his face. His eyes sharpened, as he watched me try and fail to control my emotions.

“Big talk from the person who framed me. If I go down, you go down with me. I'll make certain of it.” I snapped.

The dining room fell silent.

My mother's fork clattered against her plate. Joey's eyes shifted between us slowly, yet there was no change in his expression.

Kian merely leaned back in his chair. Relaxed, like he expected me to say that.

“Interesting accusation.” He reached for his glass. “You usually threaten people before or after they're proven innocent?”

“You know exactly what you did.”

“Do I?”

“Yes.”

“Then by all means,” he gestured lazily with his glass. “Enlighten everyone.”

My jaw tightened.

Coward.

He knew I couldn't explain. Not without sounding insane.

I had no proof. I also have no reason to accuse the son, and heir of the house.

What exactly could I even say?

A freshman planted prescription drugs in my locker because a frat leader told him to.

It sounded ridiculous.

Kian's smile widened slightly. The taste of the food suddenly felt like ash in my mouth.

I opened my mouth to speak again, before my mother placed her hand on mine.

“Natalie, please,” her pleading voice sent a sharp sliver of disgust to my head.

I stared at her.

Please?

Now she found her voice?

Now she's ready to be a mother??

Kian's eyes fell on my mother, and the smile turned into a full grin.

“Must be nice, clawing your way into wealth, like the -”

“Enough!” Joey's voice carried enough authority to cut through the room instantly.

He looked at both of us, then his eyes lingered on Kian.

Kian looked back at him, then unexpectedly, he lowered his eyes. I was surprised, yet I schooled my face to reveal nothing.

Heavy silence descended again.

Joey placed his fork down carefully.

“I expect everyone in this house to be respectful to one another.”

His gaze landed on Kian first and then me.

“Have I made myself clear?”

I said nothing, my gaze stubbornly remained on my plate.

“Crystal.” Kian responded with a tiny scoff.

For a few minutes, the meal continued in uneasy silence.

I focused on my food. Kian focused on annoying me simply by existing.

Then Joey spoke again,“Your mother told me you're attending Bennington on scholarship.”

There it was.

The scholarship.

I had expected it sooner. I straightened my back to better take in the judgments I knew were coming.

“Yes.” I answered begrudgingly.

“A full academic scholarship?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Impressive.” His tone was laced with a quiet approval I didn't expect.

I blinked, lifting my head up to look at him.

That wasn't the response I expected.

Across the table, Kian looked equally surprised.

“Thank you.”

Joey nodded once.

“Academic excellence requires discipline.”

My mother practically glowed beside him. Then Kian opened his mouth.

“She's certainly disciplined,” he said sarcastically.

I looked up. His eyes met mine.

“What is that supposed to mean?” I asked again, my knuckles turned white with how tightly I held my fork.

“Kian,” Joey interrupted, “ you are no longer a child, so quit acting like one. I do not know what happened in school. What I do know is that you both are siblings now. So start behaving like one!”

Kian only smiled again, lifting his hands in a mock surrender.

“Natalie, this is your home. Act like it. We must put up a united front for the outsiders and I will not tolerate any carelessness that will cost me my reputation!” he whispered to me, his chair scraped against the floor as he stood up.

“Kian, you drive her to school.”

My head snapped up so quickly I heard a crack. Kian looked just as shocked as I felt.

“I can-”

“It isn't up for discussion. Beginning tomorrow, you both must go to school together.” He said then looked at my mother who nodded in approval.

Then he left, with no other word.

My mother stood up as well, and followed after him. As her footsteps died down, I faced Kian. His gaze was already on me.

“Listen here, princess,” he sneered, the lazy drawl of his voice had a sting to it now, “No one can know about this in school. We are not siblings and we will never be.”

I scoffed at his words.

“Trust me, I would rather be blind than want to be related to an asshole as yourself.”

He reared his head back at my words, then he stood up.

“Good. You do not deserve to be seen with me.” He stalked away.

I was left alone, with more food than I'd seen in the last 3 months, yet I couldn't take a bite.

As I settled in my bed, later that night, my eyes went to the bedside table. On it was a paper I hadn't noticed before.

Curiosity got the best of me, and I took the letter.

A barely legible handwriting was scrawled on it. I gritted my teeth, letting out a strained exhale.

I could hear his stupid voice as I read the letter:

7am.

Meet me up front….

And do not be late, princess.