My Stepbrother (Secret-Possession)

Mother Superior

"Do you need me to pack you some lunch?" Mum asks, standing before me with her hands on my shoulders.

"No, she doesn't," Lilith shouts from the living room while she searches for her missing Calculus textbook, as Christian said.

"I'll be okay, Mum," I assured her with a genuine smile. She has been worried about my sudden change of environment, mostly because I've been attending an all-girls religious school and now I'm entering the real world of mixed genders.

Smiling, she kisses my cheeks and skeptically narrows her eyes, contemplating whether I am being honest or insincere. "Mum, seriously, I'll be okay." I giggle.

Mum and Christian are already dressed, ready for work. Christian is a successful engineer, and Mum is a doctor who works in a private hospital in Summerlin.

"I'm gonna take it from here. I'd say I'll be her guardian angel, but she's a grown-ass sophomore," Lilith says, tugging on my arm as we walk backward toward the door. I can see she has found her missing book.

Christian clears his throat and shoots Lilith a warning glare while Mum blushes. "Sorry for the language." Lilith grimaces and turns us around after slamming the entrance door.

"We have to stop by Falling Water to pick up Quinn. Her car is still at the mechanics," Lilith informs me as we leave the guard gate in the hills.

"So, this is your car?" I asked her, something I'd been meaning to ask for a while.

She connects her phone to the car and plays one of my favorite songs by a girl band. With a sigh, she replies, "It was an early birthday present, ta-da."

"Are you even legally old enough?" I firmly asked.

"Why are you so obsessed with legal stuff?" She fires back.

"Because that's what's right," I answered her silly question with confusion.

"You don't want to say that at school. Avoid it by all means. It's social life destruction," she laughs while I stare at her, unable to believe it. "I'm serious, Ava, don't." She faces me with a stern expression after parking by the side of a residential street. Before I could protest, the back door opened.

"Hey, bitch," a piercing voice says behind me, causing me to turn and find a slim teenage girl with long blonde hair and blue eyes.

"Yo, whore," Lilith replies.

Feeling uneasy about the situation, I turned to Lilith. "What? Your dad is going to..."

Her fake spluttering cough interrupts me, and she shoots me a murderous glance, preventing me from finishing my sentence. Lilith smiles back at Quinn, I assume. "This is my dad's fiancé's daughter, technically already my sister. Ava," Lilith introduces me.

"Hey, Ava, mind if I call you a hoe?" Quinn asks, and I promptly shake my head in disgust until another glare stops me.

With slumped shoulders, I smile weakly and nod. "Cool."

"It's sad that Zachary and Sofia broke up. I'm so worried about Embry because we all know where Sofia's target is," Quinn says.

"Oh, believe me, I will kill that fake psycho if she tries hitting on my brother. I'm rooting for Leibry all the way this semester," Lilith says.

"It's gonna be explosive, senior and junior, just like Mal and Allen last year. I can't even begin to imagine. Embry has been waiting for this her whole life. We have to support our girl before Sofia does," Quinn explains.

"Yeah, absolutely, because I can't imagine having a family dinner with that evil girl," Lilith groans.

I was completely unaware of their secret language, but I knew Leigh was involved in the plot, so I blurt out, "Or maybe you should let Leigh decide for himself."

All eyes turned to me, but no one argued. I remain silent for the rest of the ride, ignoring their rumors and focusing on the Little Mix songs playing in the background until we arrive in the crowded parking lot of the enormous school. From the passenger seat, I observed the front building, feeling extremely nervous as different kids wandered around. Well, Mum is right; this is tough.

With sweaty palms, I swallow. "It will be fun," Lilith says. "Come on, let's go." She smiles at me, sensing my apprehension or knowing it would happen. Either way, I'm glad to have her by my side.

I manage to compose myself physically, at least, and step out of the car. I didn't realize Quinn had left the car until I spotted her with some girls, melting into the arms of a boy between a black Jeep and a red Ford coupe. I follow Lilith's smile as she approaches what I assume is her group of friends.

"Hello, bitches and sluts," Lilith says in a sing-song tone, a few feet away from the group.

"Oh my God, did you hear what happened this weekend?" a redheaded girl exclaims.

"I know, right? We'll discuss it privately, no boys allowed. Harry, Quinn, can you please pause the PDA and continue later?" Lilith giggles at the couple, who seem oblivious to their surroundings.

"No," the guy, Harry, manages to say between kisses while Quinn giggles like a baby floating above the water.

The redhead grabs Quinn by her dress, forcefully breaking up the make-out session. "Let's do it the hard way, then," she says, while Quinn and Harry mutter, "What the fuck."

Lilith and a black American girl in leather trousers and gorgeous curly hair laugh at something I don't find funny. My eyes scanned the four girls around me, all dressed elegantly, making me instantly self-conscious about my dotted ruffle-trim skirt and graphic t-shirt. I accept the fact that I won't fit in with this group of superior friends.

"Lilith, tell me this year is going to be mine," the redhead says, facing my soon-to-be stepsister.

"That's what we have to plan," Lilith answers.

"What if Leigh isn't over Hailey?" the curly-haired girl questions the group.

"Oh, then I will kill you for jinxing it," the redhead retaliates, sounding irritated.

"What? I'm considering both sides here, Embry," the curly-haired girl rolled her eyes.

Still frowning, Quinn adds, "Embry, stop overreacting. No one here is your rival. I have a class in the next five minutes."

Embry, taller and slimmer than the other girls, with sleek and shiny red hair, is beautiful but obnoxious and obsessive. "Sorry, I'm just afraid someone will snatch him away before me. Sofia is a senior, and they'll have classes together. Lord of hell, why did Zachary have to break up with her?" Embry groans.

With widened eyes, Quinn and the rest of the girls say in unison, "What?" "Okay, I'll take two before I go to class," Quinn says, looking intrigued by whatever clue Embry has mentioned.

I began to realize that these girls are really good at gossiping. I scan the hallway filled with busy kids wandering around lockers. "I thought Sofia broke up with him," Lilith asks.

"She's actually lying. He discovered that her left boob is larger than the right," Embry snorted.

"I told you, I told you... that's what I noticed at Layla's pool party," the curly-haired girl whispered. "The right one was the size of a blueberry, and the left one was as big as a coconut."

That's when I unintentionally burst into laughter, along with the girls who all exclaimed, "No way," "What the fuck, Suri," and "Girl, you're so wicked."

"Who are you?" Embry asked firmly, curiously eyeing me once she finally noticed my presence. "You've been following us."

"I'm Ava," I squeaked, feeling overwhelmed by everyone's sudden attention.

"Shit, girls, sorry. Remember, I told you my dad's fiancé's daughter would be joining us here. So here she is," Lilith smiled at me. "She's the coolest kid I know." She winked.

They all stared at me for a few seconds, probably trying to find something wrong about me, while I nervously gnawed on my bottom lip. "Alright, I've already met you, hoe. We rode together. So see you bitches and sluts at lunch," Quinn stalked away.

"Two Leigh siblings in school, huh?" Embry muttered.

"I'm Suri. I like your accent. You should talk more often," Suri smiled at me.

"Yes, I know, right? She's adorable," Lilith wrapped her hands around my shoulder. "I've got to show Ava to her class, so see y'all later." She added and happily escorted me away from the event that I most likely wouldn't survive.

We took a few turns and followed a path that led us to the administration section. "I thought we were going to class," I asked.

"I remembered it's the principal's duty," she smirked.

We sat on a bench, waiting for the principal, who seemed to be taking forever. Eventually, I forced myself to let Lilith go to her class since the bell had rung minutes ago. She insisted it was okay, but I had to be a supportive sister and show some courage. So, I assured her I would be fine, just as I had told Mom. I waited in the administration area for over half an hour, fighting between eighty-five percent nervousness and fifteen percent courage. Finally, when the principal arrived, I introduced myself, and he reviewed some of my files. He was kind and polite, even praising my GPA. He then asked a woman to accompany me to the second floor, where my class happened to be located.

With a paper slip trembling in my hand, I stepped into the classroom filled with students. The woman introduced me to the male teacher standing by a desk. He glanced at my slip and turned to me with a smile. "Great GPA. Did you attend a girls' Catholic boarding school in London?" he said aloud, and I cringed as I heard more than two voices whispering, "Mother superior."

With a sigh, I turned my attention forward, trying to find an unoccupied space. Everyone seemed to shoot me dirty glares, and that's how I spent the first two classes, feeling frustrated.

After a long twenty-minute lunch with the girls, which I didn't actually eat, and only listening to the girls addressing me with derogatory names, I headed to P.E. class. Some students and I were ordered to run around the football field for being lazy during swimming.

"You're fast," a girl said from behind me.

I turned to find a plump Asian girl smiling. "I love running," I replied, trying to catch my breath in the shorts and tight shirt provided for P.E.

"It's hard to say that about everybody here," she laughed, and we both looked behind us as the rest of the students collapsed on the concrete.

"I have my doubts too," I smiled.

"I'm Evie. We're in the same class," she said.

"Good to know. I'm Ava. I recently moved here," I replied.

Smiling, she nodded. "Obviously, you seem new around here," she said.

We had a long discussion, and I found myself getting to know someone new today, apart from Lilith's friends. Evie even relocated her seat next to me in the last class, and I felt a little better than in the previous classes. Although it seemed I had gained a nickname from more than ten people who referred to me as 'Mother Superior.'

It was three o'clock when the school bell rang, and I gathered my notebooks in my backpack and made my way through the hallway. I was about to call Lilith when a new message appeared on my phone screen from an unknown number. *Meet me at the lot.*

I assumed it was Leigh, so I quickly shoved my phone back into my bag and left the school building. The parking lot was crowded with people, making it difficult to spot my chestnut-haired stepbrother.

When I finally did, I wanted to immediately call Lilith and ask her to stay with me until after her lessons, but it was too late. Leigh's eyes found me, and he waved until he was sure I was walking towards him. He stood in the middle of a group of boys as I halted in front of him.

I stood there silently, staring at him, while the boys around us had their eyes fixed on me. Leigh studied me from my shoes to my hair, probably hoping I wouldn't embarrass him, considering he was the most famous person in school.

I could tell by the way the group of boys looked at him, the way everyone who passed by greeted him, and the way girls blushed while gawking at him. "Guys, this is my sister, Ava. I need to drive her home," he finally announced with a shrug.

The boys didn't say anything to me, except for the muscular one among the group, who said, "Meet us at the gym. We have practice, big brother." All the boys laughed while Leigh walked away without protest. I followed him across the other side of the lot until he unexpectedly stopped and pressed the key to an unbelievable thing.

"What is this?" I asked, unable to believe my eyes.

Smiling, he opened the door. "It's a blue-tinted carbon fiber Chiron of the Year," he smirked. I stared at him in disbelief.

"You own a Bugatti from this year?" I scoffed unintentionally.

"Get in," he politely commanded, sliding into the driver's seat without replying.

I noticed eyes peeping at us from around the lot, but I chose to ignore them and focused on the slightly musky scent filling the small space. "Fasten your seatbelt," his deep voice commanded as he revved the engine and drove away from the school, away from the gossipers. I refrained from making a sarcastic comment about Mom's order because my eyes were fixed on the person next to me.

For the first time, I had a chance to study him as we sat closer together in the small space. His smooth hair was styled to perfection, his Adam's apple bulged from his perfectly veined neck, and his flawless nose was captivating. When his gaze met mine, I saw his emerald eyes glistening and sparkling in the daylight. Then, as he turned his head sideways, they caught the light and played tricks with everything that screamed 'spring.'

I was fixated on memorizing his lips when he called my name, jolting me back to reality.

"What?" I released a breath I didn't realize I was holding. He must have been talking while I was lost in my own thoughts.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concern evident on his face as he divided his attention between me and the road. "How was your first day?" he added.

I glanced back at the road and pressed my lips into a straight line. "Lilith's friends refer to me with derogatory names, and my classmates and others address me as 'Mother Superior.' I suppose things are going alright so far, considering there haven't been any pranks yet," I shrugged.

The car fell into silence for a while. "Yes, no pranks," he said, turning to me with a smile that lifted my spirits.

The rest of the ride was quiet, with no music playing, and neither of us initiated any conversation. I found myself gazing at Leigh Boyce as he focused on the road until we arrived home. I was about to thank him when he drove away, leaving me standing in our driveway.

Way to go, Leigh.

***

"How was your first day?" Christian asked as we sat down for dinner.

I wiped my mouth with a napkin before responding. "It was moderately exciting. I made friends with someone."

"Wow, that's positive," Mom smiled from across the table. She had no idea about the negative aspects, but I didn't intend to let her know, so I returned the smile.

"Does this someone have a name?" Lilith turned to me, dropping her spoon and raising an eyebrow.

Feeling a little annoyed by her audacity, I huffed. "Evie, a sophomore," I emphasized.

"Okay, because there are certain people you don't want to associate with; they could tarnish your reputation," she said, taking a bite of her chicken breast. She had no clue how my reputation had already been shattered. Once again, Leigh was absent from dinner, and it seemed like the family had grown accustomed to it as no one mentioned his absence.