Chapter 4 Four

The rest of the week passed by quickly and since my confrontation with Ryder he hasn't showed up in school. Not that I care anyway. Even Xavier Juan had completely stayed away from me.

Good.

Today is Saturday and I slept in. Glancing back at the wall clock on the wall over my headboard to check what time it is.

10:15

Shit. I jumped out of bed and slipped into my flip-flops then made my way down the stairs. As expected I met a handwritten note from mom on the kitchen island. It's short and concise

"Out with James. Don't cook dinner, we are all meeting tonight."

I saw the address of the restaurant behind the paper and I smiled. It's one of those fancy ones I usually beg mom to let us try. I kept the paper back where I saw it.

James proposed to mum during the week like I knew he would. He had asked for my permission. We actually had a conversation on Skype since he's been so busy.

I checked the letter once again.

All.

One second

Two

Three

And then it registered. James Saint has a son and will become my stepbrother soon. Mom has mentioned him once or twice but I never did pay attention. She said he's about my age.

Why do I keep forgetting details like this?

I've never been more nervous in my life than I am currently. First, Mom and James are finally engaged and I'll be meeting him. Am I ready for a new stepdad? Maybe. A new stepbrother? Nope.

I'm dressed in my best clothes. A red satin dress that mom got me for a ball we attended last summer and my favourite pair of matching heels. I FaceTime Lexi to make sure I look okay. I don't want to be overdressed or under; besides , it's a five star hotel. I guess everyone here doesn't just grab a wrinkled dress off of their closet and wear it.

"I'm a few minutes late, my mother made a reservation for four at 7 o'clock" I explained to the hostess

"What's the last name?"

I decided to go with James since my mother will make it under his name but only then did I realize I didn't know his last name. What a nice thing to have as a step daughter. So I just went with mom's instead.

"Sophia " I rushed

"That's my mom, she made the reservations"

"Table 6 on the left" she replied without looking away from her computer. He'll show it to you.

"Thanks" I mutter even though I'm sure she won't reply.

The interior design of the hotel looks beautiful. I'd even stopped by some paintings on the wall and took some pictures with them making a mental note to forward them to Lexi later. She made me promise to give her full details tonight. Especially the step brother aspect. Well, I really hope we get along.

When I got to the table and saw the pairs of eyes before me, I froze.

"Holy shit!" I heard his voice.

Suddenly it clicked in my brain, why I think James looks familiar on our first meeting. Sitting beside James is the last person I ever thought would be there.

The guy who has made my life hell for the past three years.

Ryder Saint. James' son and unfortunately my new step brother. Can my life get any more twisted than it already is? The smirk and smile on his face says otherwise.

"You two know each other?" It was my mom who spoke next, breaking the awkward silence I seemed to bring with me since my arrival. I realised I was still standing so I took a seat at the extreme, making sure it's not anywhere near Ryder.

A lot is going through my head right now. My mom is engaged to Saint James, father of my bully. Do I just open my mouth now and tell mom? Should I make her call off the engagement because of the rifle between me and Ryder. She waited sixteen years after dad and now that she's got a man do I just ruin it.

Is life playing a game with me? Why do I have to always be entwined with Ryder? When I thought I have a year to endure more only to be thrown into a family relationship with him.

"We're in the same English class, Sophia" he said looking at me meaningfully

"She just don't talk to me"

The last part holds meaning only both of us understand.

"Really, Genie?" I can feel her eyes questioning me.

"I don't talk to most people mom" I muttered not meeting her gaze, afraid she'll see the lies in them. I picked up my glass of water to avoid talking further.

"It's okay, they'll definitely get along once they live together" James concluded

"What?" I almost choke on my water, pouring back the contents into the cup.

"What?" I asked again as if I didn't hear the first time. Horror and Surprise spread on my face.

But mom smiled. "We were going to keep it a surprise but it's of no use now" she grabbed James hand across the table and entwined her fingers with his.

"Since you kids attends the same school I realised it's best we move it together as we plan the wedding"

What?

"When's the wedding?" She couldn't help herself but ask. If mom had everything figured without telling me then I have a right to be mad at her. For keeping it from me and keeping me in the dark. I looked between mom and James the Ryder. He sat down there as if none of this was anything he wasn't expecting.

Why isn't he saying anything?

Did he know all this all along? Does he know my mom's been seeing his dad? Does he have an idea that I'll be his step sister soon?

Not only am I shocked to find my bully as my stepbrother but moving with him is something that's alarming. I wanted to speak and make an objection but the look on my mom's face tied my tongue down. She looked her happiest. I couldn't ruin this for her. At least not now.

"We haven't decided yet, your mom doesn't want an enormous wedding so I guess it will be soon"

I only nodded. I don't see reason in me asking for the date of the wedding because whether I like it or not, it's happening anyways.

A waitress appeared and took our orders. I haven't had enough time to check out the menu so I just picked the first thing I set my eyes on. And Ryder, I looked up at him to find his gaze on me but he looked away after being caught. I wonder what will be going through that mind of his. Is he cool with this? Why isn't he saying anything? Does he pretend to be a good kid while his dad Is there and turns a rebel behind me? He holds an expression that's unreadable. He looked back at me and caught me looking. I looked away embarrassed.

The waitress returned with our orders, I forgot what I ordered anyway. It turns out to be an Italian salad, I'm glad it's not anything I won't be able to eat.

"So, Ryder, tell me what your plan is after high school," mom asked.

"Focus on football I guess. Perhaps get into an ivy league school or something" he shrugged and said it so casually like he's said it all over.

"James didn't mention you play" mom looks back at James in defense.

"Yeah. I'm the quarterback"

"I'd love to come watch you play one of these days right Gen?"

"Umm... yeah... " I struttered suddenly feeling nervous and not finding the right word to say.

"The next match is on Friday, you should come" Ryder says

"Oh really... I'll need to reschedule my meeting this week then"

"You don't have to but thanks, Sophia"

"What are your plans Genevieve?" James asked the same question my mom just threw at his son.

"Me?" I was taken aback by his question. I've never really decided on what I'll do yet. All I know is that I want to get away from here first.

"Ummm..." I paused. "Haven't decided" He nodded in understanding. The rest of the dinner was okay and at the end, we hugged and waved goodbye to my soon to be stepdad and stepbrother. The moment I got into mom's car, my phone vibrated. Thinking I've got a message from Lexi, I pulled it out. It's from an unknown contact. I opened it.

Unknown: So, stepsister ugh?

I don't need anyone to tell me before I figured out who the sender is.