FALLING FOR MY BULLY STEP-BROTHER

Natalie's pov

"Did he say 'the' Kian Lawley set you up?" Allison said, her words coming out breathless. I didn't reply.

I ground my teeth, repeatedly counting my right fingers.

"At least you won't be expelled. It's just a harmless prank, Natt."

"A harmless prank?! Allison, I was framed!" I said, slamming my locker shut.

"Yes, but the frat boys always do this. Don't let it bother you so much. You could just get a forged prescription from the grocery store and you're off the hook."

I scoffed.

"Seriously it's no big deal."

"Kian's hot though, it's so unfair that he's -" I stopped listening, my brain taking me back to his annoying smile.

I hate him.

"What?" Allison echoed. It was then I realized I said that out loud.

"I hate him, Allie."

"Kian. He seems to think he owns this bloody dump of a school!"

Allison's chuckles made me stare at her, my brows furrowing deeper.

"I'm sorry, but he kind of does own the school. His father is the biggest donor of the school and he is the head of the biggest frat house, so yes, he does own this school," She stated, raising her hands up in mock surrender.

"It's not funny," I stalked, trying to find my classes.

Allison remained where she stood.

"I guess that means you're not going to the party after school??" She called after me.

Turning my head slightly, I flicked my middle finger at her.

****************************************

As I walked back home, my mind raced with thoughts on how I could avoid this mess. Having a probe was too much of a big deal for a scholarship student.

If I wasn't careful, I could be expelled.

"They just had to rope me into their stupid pranks!"

Pain shot up my legs, making me double over as I dashed my feet against a stone.

"Fuck!"

I gritted my teeth, and limped the rest of the way home. The area was eerily quiet.

I walked over the lawn, skipping two steps to get to the door.

It was slightly ajar.

I paused, and looked around again.

Taking in a deep breath, I opened the door further.

"Mom?" I called out, dropping my bag on the worn out couch.

No response.

I listened for her usual groaning.

"Mom! I'm back!" I called out again, then walked towards her room. A tiny groan came from her room.

Once again, that familiar feeling of panic rose inside me. I quickened my pace, swinging the rickety door open, bursting into the room, to -

"You took too long! Come help me find a dress to wear!"

My mother sat in a heap of colourful looking dresses. Her hair was frizzy and sticking out in every which way. Her eyes were slightly unfocused, yet she had this glint of joy in them.

"Mom, what's going on?" I sank down on her bed, shoving some clothes to the side.

"I don't have time to explain now, just get ready! And help me get ready, we have somewhere very important to be." She went back, digging through her pile of clothes.

I looked around the room, and back at her. My eyes went down.

"Today was the first day of senior year." I whispered, then I lifted my head.

She rolled her eyes, then joined her hands together.

"Oh. Yes. Well, I hope it went well. You really need to get dressed." Her voice tightened.

"Mom, today is the first day of senior year, and I am already in trouble, and you have nothing to say to me?" My voice sounded shrill, and I hated it.

I hated that I was still affected by her obvious lack of care towards me.

She scoffed, then returned to the pile of clothes again

"Aha! Look at this dress!" She held up a pink flowing dress, then threw it at me.

"You could wear that. Our body size isn't so different. You do have a bit of a belly, so you-"

"Please stop." The fight went out of me in a sigh.

"What are all these for?"

She smiled, then stood up, swaying a bit.

"We are moving tonight!"

What?

"What? Moving where?"

"So, as you know, I am getting married soon so he-"

I raised my hands and waved them furiously in the air. "Wait!!! Wait!! Wait!" The words coming fast.

"Mom! You can not be serious. You're joking, you must be joking!" I paused, realization hitting me now.

"Are you high again?" I asked, reducing the intensity of my voice.

"I am not." She snapped at me, stood up, and began pacing the room, kicking the clothes in her way.

"Married to who? I've never met the man and now we are moving to his house? Mom, you must know how ridiculous it sounds!"

I looked at her, my eyes following her every step, till she paused in front of me.

"That's not my fault. He wants things done quickly so we are getting married this weekend. We're moving to his house today. This is final, and this discussion is over."

My eyes widened incredulously as I saw the glint of seriousness in her eyes.

Silence stretched between us alongside the stubborn eye contact we held.

"You must behave at your new home. Like I said, he is quite important, so you have to try to impress him." She smiled again, then let out a squeal, clapping her hands like a child.

I watched her in disbelief.

"Who is this person? Who is the unlucky man willing to marry you?"

Her head snapped. She shot me a venomous look.

"Watch it, Natalie. I'm still your mother!"

Barely.

"Well?" I reiterated.

"He is the CEO of Law's Pharmaceutical, and he-"

I held up my hand, and let out a sharp breath.

"Law's Pharmaceutical? So... he is..."

"Yes. Joey Lawley." My mother let out a content sigh.

Fuck!!