Meet Jackson

Monday came too soon, and I had to drag myself to class. As soon as I set foot on campus, I heard the gist.

“Oh, my freaking days, have you seen the new boy!”

“He’s so dreamy!”

“He’s not that much of a big deal.”

“Oh, please, Ethan. We all know you’re jealous. Not only is he tall and handsome, but he’s also the captain of the hockey team.”

“Those lips. Those eyes.” The girls squealed, and it felt like my ears were going to bleed. “And that accent!”

“Geez, his English ass can butter my scotch anytime he likes.” 

As soon as I heard that, I knew. I just knew. And he plays hockey? He was also the captain? Who was this guy, really?

And not long after that hit me, I saw him. Jackson, the talk of the whole school. He was dressed differently today: black jeans paired with a black shirt. And as if to make it clear that black was his favorite color, he added a black leather jacket on top.

The ladies almost fainted. I turned away from him so it wouldn't seem like I was gawking, trying to make my way to my class. 

But then.

“Siri.” 

My legs stopped as if they had a mind of their own. I turned around. He was… he was walking towards me? God, he was walking towards me.

‘What are you doing?” I hissed under my breath when he got close to me. 

He stared at me like I just asked the most ridiculous question. “Coming to say hello like a human being. Also, I need a tour guide.”

Panic hit me. But not for me: for him. “You can't be seen with me.”

He was now standing close to me. Too close, and there were already eyes on me. Shit, too late.

“Why not?”

My chest was heaving, my hands shaking. Please no. I don't want to ruin another person's life because of me. 

“Because you will be branded an outcast, stupid!”

Confusion made his expression tight. “What are–”

“Siri!” I felt an arm around my shoulder, and I went completely still. “Why don't you introduce us to your new friend?” 

I stared at the arm around my shoulders. 

Every school had those mean girls who had dedicated their time to making your life hell: Sandra was one of them. I raised my gaze to hers. 

“Get. Off,” I snarled, and she flinched, taking a step back, her arm dropping.

Well, in the past, she was. 

She chuckled softly. “There’s no need to be rude.”

“There’s every reason to be rude.”

I looked back at Jackson, who had this… amused look in his eyes, like he was watching an interesting movie. 

Bastard. I bet he doesn't think I'm still interesting. 

I turned away from him. “Find someone else to be your tour guide.” 

~.~

JACKSON

Siri. Siri. Siri. 

I couldn't get her out of my head. 

Not during class. 

And not now during practice, which was shocking because practice was the only time I could get my brain to shut up. Practice was the only time when I could get those demons to shut up, and it would finally be quiet. 

But right now, there was nothing silent about it, and my thoughts were filled with images of a girl with brunette hair wrapped in a tight braid. A girl who dresses like she doesn't want any attention, and yet heads turn when she walks past. 

I was distracted during practice, but I was still fully there. And one of my teammates screwed up. I locked back in the game immediately. 

“Should we get you a bed, Mason?” I snarled at the guy who messed up, my voice dripping with sarcasm, and the rink fell silent. 

This team was new, the faces were new, but I'm sure they knew me. They must have heard a word or two, and even though this was my first practice with them, I wasn't going to play the soft guy. 

“Maybe we should place it at the center of the rink, and you can just lie there. Then when you’re ready, you can come back to the damn game.”

He lowered his eyes. “Sorry, Cap.”

“Hey, there’s no need to be a prick about it.”

My gaze snapped to another bastard. My eyes narrowed on him. 

“Ethan, ain’t it? You wanna have at it? Be the captain? Is that it, mate?”

His jaw was locked tight. “I’m just trying to–”

“When you are appointed as captain, and you have your team, you can try whatever bullshit you want, but this is my team, and I won't tolerate any side talks. Got it, Ethan?”

He was silent for a while and just glared at me. “Yes.”

“Sorry, what was that?”

He looked like he wanted to punch me. “Yes, Captain!”

“Good. Now back to the fucking game! And quit playing like you’re trying to lose before the game even starts! We have a game to win, people!”

“Living up to your reputation,” the coach muttered. 

I pretended like I didn't hear him.

I’ve spent years building that reputation. I have given it my everything, my blood and sweat, and some people might not accept how I am on the rink, but I didn't need people’s acceptance. 

All I needed was to climb up that ladder. That ladder HE said I would never climb up. 

So this change might be sudden, and I might resent my mother a little for taking me away from the life I had in England, but I wasn't going to let it keep me down. 

Hockey was my career, my life, a way to prove myself. It was everything to me, and I wasn't going to let this change take that from me. 

~.~

Ah, yes. Back to her. 

Siri, sharp-tongued, bold, and frightened. Siri, my stepsister, who I shouldn't let occupy my thoughts like this, knowing wrong it was, but I couldn't help it. She has been the only thing filling my head since that night when she pinned me to a tree.

Me, pinned to a tree by a girl whose head doesn't even reach my chest. It was laughable. It was arousing, and I tried to stop myself from having these thoughts, because again, they were wrong. 

I may not see that man as my stepfather, but they were legally married, and that makes us family whether I accept it or not. 

Siri. Siri. Siri.