Dear Stepbrother, I want you

~Genevieve~

You won't know when your life is about to flip upside down. It all happens suddenly. It could be a year

Six months

Days

Minutes

Or even seconds

But mine didn't take any of these. It only took a binding agreement. A "yes I do" and "Till death do us apart" agreement. A marriage.

Then I'm trapped. Maybe If I had known, it wouldn't have ended up this way.

Maybe I would have run away when I had the chance to. Maybe I shouldn't have met him. But the thing about maybe's is that they don't exist. They are useless.

It's only a year more. Just a year and I'll be off to Harvard. Where I'll be free from the wrath of Ryder Saint. Where I'll change my lifestyle and be more of myself. Like the life I envisioned when I just moved into this city. The beautiful and serene life without a Ryder in it. A year more and I'll say goodbye to all of this.

I took in a deep breath when mum pulled into the school driveway. It's a little bit empty but that's expected seeing it's the first day of school after the long summer holidays. Not everyone's boring like me who spent the whole summer inside her bedroom and making occasional trips to the kitchen to make ice cream. Aside from that, I like to be early. Something I inherited from my mum. She would say Early is on time and on time is late.

"You didn't have to drive me mum. I could have taken the bus" I managed to say "You might miss your appointment"

"Family first Genie, family first" she smiled and I did the same. Mum has high cheekbones and a tall, slender, model-like figure that makes my awkward, seventeen-year-old body look like a potato in comparison. I strive to be her when I grow up. Not only in the looks department but also the hard work and the personality.

"Perhaps it's time I get a driving lesson so I could use my car" I say

"Baby, are you sure you're okay with this? You don't have to do this, you know. James totally understands he won't be mad if..."

James the guy mom's currently seeing. Wait, aren't they too old for the girlfriend and boyfriend's title? He got me a car for my seventeenth birthday, while I consider it too much. I mean, who gets a sports car for their girlfriend's daughter's birthday. He's as busy as hell but from the few times we've met I could tell he's a good guy. And from the way my mom looks up at him I can tell he's the one.

"Mum" I interrupted her before she goes on any further

"I won't have you driving me around if I go off to college"

"I could if you choose a school closer" she smiled. " You don't have to do this soon you know"

I nodded. I've been afraid of being behind the wheels since I had that accident ten years back. The details of that day are a bit hazy but I remember that it was raining. I was dressed in my best dress and on our way to Nana's birthday.

"I just think it's time I let go of my fears, it's been ten years"

"Genevieve," She said, then pulled me into a warm hug. When she pulls back her eyes shine with unshed tears.

"You have no idea how happy I am right now"

"It's Genie in school mum. Just Genie" And before she could say anything "That's what everyone calls me" I quickly added.

"I won't want to hurt James dumping his present in the garage for long"

"He will be thrilled to hear this" She smiled again and that's when the tears started falling. She made no effort to wipe them now.

"Speaking of James" She continued "I'll be meeting up with him this night and might be late so don't wait up and lock all the windows"

I nodded. "Tell him I said hi" And for the first time since we've arrived I looked around me. More cars are arriving by now.

"I should probably go in now and get settled" I pull my backpack from the backseat.

"Call me when you get home and don't forget your medications" she called as I stepped out of the car clutching the straps of my backpack.

"Bye" I waved at her as she pulled out and drove off. I watched as her car faded into the distance.

Now, I'm on my own. I resisted the urge to call her back and take me away from here. My fears are coming back to me. Ryder Saint. I stare into the massive building of Evergreen High School before me. Rich influential people sent their children to this school so they could get a good start early in their lives. For all I know my mum is rich enough to afford it. The building which holds one of my greatest fears.

Avoid Ryder Saint

I told myself one last time. I always recite the word each morning like it's some psalm to save me from him. But it never did work. Nothing has ever prevented Ryder from his prey which I unfortunately happen to be one. Since the first day I set my eyes on him he decided to hate me and had my name down in his book. My mere sight infuriates him and he uses every minute to point this out.

"Genevieve, the worst name I'll ever be hearing," he once said. That day, I hated myself and hated my name.

I stride through the huge walls of Evergreen High mimicking other student's confidence. It's hard enough when I already fall out of place. They chat amongst each other like old friends reuniting after the

summer. Like how Zara Thompson and Fred James split after dating each other since elementary class. Once again I'm reminded love doesn't take it all. Or Charlotte Lynch who got pregnant during over the summer.

Yet, I stand out as a loner.

Again.

Usually I would walk these halls with my best friend Lexi beside me but she just came back from Brazil last night with her family. I'm not sure she'll be making it to school today. In the meantime, I'm all on my own surrounded by people who hate me and probably pretend I don't exist. No one wants to go near Ryder's prey. That's the thing there, Once Ryder adds you to his hate list, the whole school goes against you. If not the whole world. He's their god and they play to his tune. The tune he's playing now is a hate campaign against Genevieve McConnell.

I heard their little whispers as I walked past them.

"Thinks she's all pretty now"

"Bet Ryder's pleased to see her" I tried not to let those words get to me. Not today, those words won't get to me. It's a new session and I won't let their little talk ruin the first day for me.

"Can't wait for him to see her" My skin prickles the more their voice sink deep under my skin but I shut it

all out. The voice around me starts blurring into the air and I lift my head high as I put one foot in front of the other.

They are nothing. N-O-T-H-I-N-G

"Rocks" I froze instantly.

My foot came to a halt on its own accord as the voice registers in my brain. I knew that voice well. I can feel the air on my neck rise. That voice that has been in my life for the past three years. That voice had tormented me for three years. It has been everywhere I go, every step I take, every place I sit. It has been in my fucking head for three good years.

That voice, my Worstnightmare

My torment

My doom

My bully

Ryder's

He has been exactly the person I don't want to run into today. I planned on keeping my distance throughout this year and here he is now, positioned right in my face. No matter how I hide he'll always come finding me but I don't want it to be this soon. I turned and immediately wished I hadn't. His eyes met mine with surprise then followed by immediate displeasure.

Yh, I know that look and I'm familiar with it. The getthefuckoutofmyface look. His jaw clenched, and I noticed how his chin lifted slightly. The familiar pounding in my chest echoed in my ears, and a hundred miles away sounded like a really nice place to be right now. Was it too much to ask that I had asked one year of normal teenage fun to myself? Was it too much that I craved to be left in peace for the remaining days of school? Was it too much that I asked that I'd never come across Ryder?

I don't know much about Ryder Saint other than he's out on a mission to destroy me. He had made that clear enough for me to understand. He's set to crush and set my world crumbling. Ripping it all apart. He's set to see the end of me

But why?

Why me? I asked myself the same question for the umpteenth time without getting an answer. Why had I been his target? Why did he despise me so much?

I stare at his face looking for an answer I know isn't there only to be met with the ice cold stern gaze. To say Ryder isn't beautiful would be a big fat lie. He's tall and has broad shoulders. His body is covered in ink and has his lips pierced. His uniform is missing the tie as always and he looks ruggedly handsome. His inked black hair that runs slick in the middle. Complimented by the perfect face. He's a piece of art. Girls were so busy watching him that they ran into walls. I swear if he hadn't been this way to me I might have found myself crushing over him.

Shaking my head I tried to shrug the thought away like it would help.

My thoughts are dragged back to the years of enduring his bullying. The body shaming body remarks and false confessions about me. The constant reminder that everything about me infuriates him. Out of everyone in this school, it's only me he chooses to bully.

Why me?

Did I make his life hell or kill him in our first life? I really hope it's the latter.

He twirls a football in his right hand while the other stays in his trouser pockets. I wonder if he ever does anything with it. He strides towards me. Walking slowly and with purpose. I kept my gaze on him, watching him, my eyes following his every move while I struggled to keep my breath steady. I don't know why a little part of me thinks he will ignore and walk past me but I know better than that. It's not something new. Once he starts on a mission he never backs out.

It's even stupid to think he will leave me alone. He never has. Not even once. Whether I like it or not, Ryder has always been in my life and will continue to be until the end of this year. Then, when I'm out of this city everything will be over. I'll be free.

Breath in

Breath out

It's okay.

"Did you lose your way, Rocks?" His voice is light, holding meaning.

If it were the old me I'd have run down the hallway and hide. I'll have bowed my head in Shame while his mocking laughter followed me and while I ran away. If it were the old me, I'd have been intimidated by his gaze and then cry.

However, that has changed. Me.

I have transformer into a new person

This is a fresh start

A blank book

A new chapter

A new story

I've come to an important conclusion that I won't let Ryder ruin this last year for me. I won't bow down and play along to his silly games. I want to be the main lead in my own story. I'm done hiding like a coward. I'm done letting Ryder Saint get to me.

I push my head high and flip my hair backward like I've watched others do and meet his gaze.

"Get the fuck out of my face Ryder"

I can hear the gasps.

Okay. That's great and a good start.

"What did you just say?" He narrowed his eyes like he didn't believe I just spoke back.

I mean I don't talk back to Ryder. Never. I'll rather run away and hide. I couldn't even hold his gaze for long without wishing to be six feet down. But those times I've been a fool but now, I'm wiser. I refuse to be his prey again.

"I said get the fuck out of my face" I said loudly this time for the people who had stopped to watch another of our drama. Only that there won't be any today. Sorry, I'm putting a stop to all of those episodes.

"Did you just tell me what to do?" He laughs and I swear my heart just misses a beat but I don't let it appear that I am terrified of him.

"Whatever" I said and started to move past him.

"Not so fast" He pulled me back dropping the ball in his hand and I watched as it bounces then rolls off down the hallway.

A sigh escapes me even as a tremor shoots down my spine. Being so close to him that I almost smell the mint on his breath and his rich ocean scent rattles me in ways I don't care to admit.

Or experience.

"What do you want, Ryder?"

"Don't you dare say my name? '' he snarled, his jaw tightened and I saw his teeth grit together.

"Then you fucking leave me alone" I shout back completely loosing. I feel the tears pool to my lids and I fight them back resisting the urge to break down. No, I'm not letting him see that side. I'm done being the weeny little girl he orders and tosses around. I'm done playing games with him.

Wait

I just fucking snapped at Ryder.

Shit!

I can hear low murmurs. I am also surprised at my sudden outburst. Whatever came over me must have been good because I didn't realize I could ever get this nerve or summon up courage to talk back at Ryder. Never.

I fixed my gaze at Ryder, the expression on his face... unreadable. I jerked out of his hold not taking it anymore and stride into class. Much to my surprise he didn't hold me back.

Good.

I just started a fire and I'm ready to burn.

I'm late for my next class. Or more like, I'll be late by about a minute. That's the reward of being in the girls' room after everyone's settled in.

I'm running down the hall when an arm wraps around my shoulder. For a second, I freeze, thinking Ryder has returned for revenge. He's been ignoring me since the morning, but I know more than anyone that if Ryder Saint ignores you, it's a disaster disguised as a blessing.

I release a breath when I inhale and realise it's not him. He doesn't smell this strong or feel this hard – not that I know how he feels.

And yes, I know how Ryder smells. It's only because of my ability to connect to my surroundings, remember?

"Nice to see you Genie" I smiled up at Chris Morrison. He's one of the few friends who doesn't pick on me. He's cool and has a boyish charm. His jet black hair is slightly curled at the end. He starred on the football and basketball teams and was one of the best

looking guys in school.

"Let me get the door for you" I stepped aside, giving him the chance to swing the door open.

I smiled up at him and mouthed a quick ' Thank you.'

We made it in before Miss Smith, the history teacher, came in. Not long after she launched into a full blown lecture. Out of my peripheral vision, I noticed a few students around the room glancing my way. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. What is everyone's problem? Aren't they over the interaction earlier this morning?

Fuck them.

Aware of Chris Morrison sitting right behind me, I tried to concentrate and after fifty minutes of long and boring lecture I finally retrieved my phone.

I was grossed out by replying to a message from Lexi that I didn't realize where I was going until my head hit something.

A wall? No.

A chest.

I traced my way up to see who it belongs to only to be face by Xavier Juan

One of the four best guys in school and Ryder's best friends. My pulse raced thinking Ryder had sent him but the smirk on his face tells me otherwise. He's watching me with a glint in his eyes as if he found his next prey. Xavier is easier to deal with compared to Ryder. He might be a pain in the ass too but he's not always bullying me like Ryder.

"Looks like a lamb lost her way" he chuckles moving forward while I move back until my back hurts the wall. He placed his hands on the wall and leaned into me, enclosing and trapping him till we're breathing the same air.

"Wh... wha-t are you doing?" I tried to keep my voice steady but it's of no use.

"You can't hide away from me" He ran the knuckles of his left finger down my arm and I snuck in a breath

"Get away from me" I tried to shove him by hitting him hard on the chest but he wouldn't even bulge. God-damned this guy is so strong.

"I can take you out here in front of everyone. If you go out with me Ryder would leave you alone." He toyed with me playing with the tie of my uniform.

He must be dreaming if he thinks I will do as he says... I can hear the laughter in my head.

His hand glided down my back and moved it across the wall of my ass.

What did he just do?

Did he just grab my ass? Without my permission?

In public?

Oh, no.

Then, he squeezed. Everything after that point happened in a rush of reaction and adrenaline. I popped out of my seat like my legs had springs. The muscles in my thighs were taut with tension, and I clenched my fists.

As I faced Xavier, who had raised himself to meet my gaze, I grabbed him by the shoulders and lifted my knee into his groin. Hard. The amount of pressure must've been a lot, because he yelped and fell to his knees, moaning while holding his crotch.

With my heart pounding and a cool heat surging down my arms, I didn't stop to think about where this would put me tomorrow or next week. I just wanted him to stop.

Ryder might have been threatening and bullying me for years but he would never do such. Hell I'm like trash so he wouldn't even touch me, so he had never crossed that line. He had never touched me or made me feel physically violated.

"Don't touch me and don't talk to me." I said pointing a finger at him. Xavier's eyes were closed as he breathed hard.

"Did you really think I would go out with you? Seriously, you're unbelievable." The entire room erupted in laughter.

"Thanks for the offer anyway, Ryder," I sang with mock sweetness. Now you won't try to mess with me again.

Everything felt weak with tingles, and I was afraid my legs would give out. What had I just done?

But before I reached the doors, I threw caution to the wind. Oh what the hell, I've developed a death wish lately. First Ryder and now Xavier. I might not see another day. Still happy I turned but stopped when I saw the only person who made my blood boil. Ryder fucking saint.

Ryder's full attention was focused on me, and the world in my peripheral vision stopped as we stared at each other. His lips were slightly parted but not smiling. Those eyes, however, seemed challenging and too damn interesting. He looked like he

was sizing me up.

Fuck. Shit.

Leaning back in his chair, he had one arm hooked behind him on the back of his seat and one arm resting on the table. He was staring at me, and unwanted heat rushed to my face. Without saying a word I bolted out of the classroom as quickly as I could.

The rest of the day went perfectly well without event after the other. I couldn't really believe today was the first day of school. First I stood up for myself without Lexi beside me.

The interaction with Ryder then Xavier. Well I wasn't really at rest thinking Ryder could appear any moment for payback. But I don't care. A lot of strange faces smiled up at me during calculus class. I tested Lexi giving her account of all that happened but of course she had already heard about it.

One thing about Evergreen high, news spreads faster than light.

"Didn't know you were that good" a girl had said to me. Alison I think her name is.

"A lot of girls were happy about it. Xavier deserved what he got" she smiled.

Not knowing what to respond with, I just nodded. I wasn't used to people being on my side. My responses to Xavier and Ryder's antics might have changed, but my goal to keep my head focused on school remained the same. My first day had included too much drama already. If I'd kept my head down, I might've escaped notice for the most part. But it was almost as if I had no desire to be silent anymore, and my actions were inviting more trouble. What was I doing? And

Why wasn't I stopping?