Chapter 6: Tensions

"So what kind of guy is your type?" she asked, following me and plopping down beside me, her curiosity clearly not satisfied.

"Someone who's kind to others, not arrogant, and doesn't have a repulsive attitude," I said, my tone sharp with conviction. 

It was the truth, of course but as I spoke, I couldn't help but think how perfectly it described the exact opposite of Theo.

"Wait, Theo isn't a bad person, though. He has tons of friends!" she argued, frowning at me like she couldn't possibly understand how I could see him any differently.

Oh, If only you knew, Melody. If only you'd seen how terrible and cruel he can be.

"Unless you know him personally, how can you say that? Do you even know him?" she pressed. 

I didn't realize the words had already slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. It came off like I knew him very well and that I was annoyed at him. Now I suddenly felt cornered.

"I mean, just look at him. He seems so arrogant. You can tell he has a bad attitude," I said, forcing a casual tone as I grasped for an excuse. 

I don't know, I just couldn't tell them the real reason I knew so much about him. I wasn't sure why I didn't just say he was my stepbrother. But it was probably for the best, I told myself. They would have swarmed me with requests to introduce them, and that was the last thing I wanted. I refused to be the bridge between this jerk and his endless line of admirers. Never. Not in a million years.

Well, I guess it was a good thing I had kept our relationship a secret, because as soon as I got home from school one afternoon, he confronted me. I was trundling down the hall to my room, my heavy bag still slung over my shoulder, when he stepped silently out of his bedroom, appearing like he'd been waiting for me.

As soon as I saw him, I hesitated to keep walking or face him, but it was already too late to avoid him, so I just continued on my way.Then, when we passed each other, he intentionally bumped his shoulder against mine. There was no doubt about it, I had seen him looking at me since I turned the corner, so I knew he did it on purpose.

The split-second contact sent a jolt of electricity shooting through my body, and I gasped in surprise. When I looked up at him, his expression was cold and unreadable but I knew exactly what he was after. Picking fights and hurling cruel insults was his favorite way to pass the time whenever we were alone, and it seemed today was no different. 

My blood began to boil as I fixed him with a sharp glare, my jaw tightening as I prepared to fire back at whatever hurtful words he planned to throw my way.

"I know you're aware we go to the same school now." He said it in a cold, mocking tone, and I knew right away he was going to say something else unpleasant next. I could feel it in my bones.

"So what?" I said, raising an eyebrow.

"I want you to keep it a secret that we're step-siblings. No one at school needs to know."

"And why should I do that?" I asked, my voice sharp and dismissive, crossing my arms over my chest.

Truth be told, that was exactly what I wanted too. But I was burning with curiosity why was he so determined to keep our relationship a secret at school?

"Because I said so. Pretend you don't know me. Do you understand?" His voice was harder now, edged with demand, like he expected me to obey without question.

Arghhh, this jerk! Was he ashamed to be related to me? As if I would ever be proud to call him my stepbrother! I was embarrassed to be connected to him too, thanks to his foul temper and rude, thoughtless behavior.

"Fine. If that's what you want. Is that all?" I said, my voice tight with irritation to dismiss the conversation. 

"Good then. I don't want anyone finding out our parents got married, or that we live under the same roof." he said arrogantly. 

I might have swallowed my pride if I were the only reason for his shame. I know he hates me, after all, but why did I get the feeling he was also ashamed that my mom is his stepmother?

This was going too far. He insulted me every chance he got, and I'd learned to grit my teeth and endure his cruelty. But I would never, ever let him disrespect my mom. He better not even try, because I won't back down. Not now, not ever.

"You know what? If you're ashamed to be related to me, the feeling is mutual. You're so arrogant, acting like you're better than everyone else, but your attitude is garbage," I snapped, finally letting loose all the frustration I'd been holding back.

"What did you say?" he roared, his voice thunderous and far angrier than I had anticipated.

Before I could even think of replying, he reached out, grabbed my arm roughly, and brought his face close to mine in the same harsh, forceful way. His grip was so tight it made me gasp in surprise, and his breath was almost brushing my face. 

We both froze, rooted to the spot, as if jolted by the same electric spark that surged between us the second our skin touched. It was the same feeling I'd had before, but stronger this time, and it sent a shiver down my spine even as my heart was beating endlessly fast. 

Our eyes met, and in an instant, I was sure the anger in his eyes faded a little, replaced by a confused expression just like mine. We kept staring at each other, almost like we were in a trance, and neither of us seemed able to look away. 

I noticed every little thing, how his chest moved quickly as he breathed hard, the small dark spots in his eyes I'd never seen before, and then I watched his throat move nervously as his eyes slowly drifted from my face to my lips, like it was almost against his will.