All Chapters of Secret Affair with My Bully Hockey Stepbrother: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

The first day at a new school is always the worst.I stood in front of the mirror in my room, staring at my reflection. I had chosen a simple grey sweater and black jeans, nothing too flashy. My dark hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, and my face was pale from a night of restless sleep. I looked tired. I felt worse.A knock on my door made me turn."Come in," I said.My mother stepped inside, already dressed in a cream blouse and tailored pants. She looked like she belonged in this world. I did not."How are you feeling?" she asked."Like I am about to walk into a lion's den."She frowned. "It is just a school, Elara. A very good school. You are smart. You will be fine."I wanted to laugh. She made it sound so simple. But she did not understand. She had never been the new girl in a place where everyone already knew each other. She had never been the poor kid surrounded by wealth."Is Kael going to be there?" I asked."Probably most likely to be. He is a student too, you know."I

The day went by in a blur until the afternoon, when I was walking through the cafeteria with my lunch tray, and someone stuck out their foot. I tripped and fell hard, my tray clattering to the floor. Food splattered everywhere. The entire cafeteria went silent for a second, then erupted in laughter.I lay there for a moment, my palms stinging and my knees aching. My face burned with humiliation, and tears blurred my vision. But I refused to cry. I would not give them the satisfaction.Mia rushed to my side. "Elara! Are you okay?"She helped me up, and I wiped my hands on my jeans. They were covered in mashed potatoes and spaghetti sauce. The laughter grew louder, echoing off the walls.I looked up and saw Kael sitting at a table across the room with his teammates. He was not laughing. He was just watching me, his face unreadable. Our eyes met for a brief second, and then he looked away."Come on," Mia said, pulling me toward the exit. "Let's get you cleaned up."We went to the bathroo