FALLING FOR MY BULLY STEP-BROTHER

Natalie's pov

FINAL YEAR

The beginning of the end.

As I stepped into the hallway of Bennington college, I grinded my jaw, the sharp pain that rose soothed me strangely.

Students gathered in clusters, talking over each other. The chaos felt new, even when it was the same as always, at the start of a new semester.

"Hey bitch!"

Someone bumped into me, shoving me with her elbow. I turned, trying to steady myself.

"Allison, I genuinely am not in the mood for this!" I groaned. She only scoffed and held my shoulders, steadying me.

"You are never in the mood for anything fun." Her eyes glowed with a poorly subdued excitement, "this is our last year in college, Natalie! You've got to live a little!"

I squinted my eyes at Allison, my best friend since sophomore year.

"What difference would it make?"

"See, this is what I'm talking about. You always go on and on, talking about some doom and gloom. Not anymore! You're coming with me to the party tonight!"

I sighed, as we walked towards our lockers.

"Allie, I'm really not in the mood for parties."

"You never are, Natt. Come on! This is our final year! After this, we are practically strangers," she bounced slightly, grabbing onto my hand, her eccentrics making me chuckle, beside myself.

"Allie, we are not going to be strangers after school. You'll go ahead to become a hot shot reporter and get yourself your 'Clark Kent' and live happily ever after." I rolled my eyes, smiling as I could see her paint the image in her head.

"Yes but still!! We have to live life to the..." she trailed off then, looking around her.

"Hey, do you think people are staring at us?"

I noticed it then.

The halls were so much quieter, and we were indeed getting stared at.

"Why are they all looking at us?" She whispered.

I scratched my nose in thought, a habit I had yet to stop. There was a small gathering in front of my locker. A small wave of panic rose in my chest.

"What's going on?" Allison's chirpy voice was gone, replaced by a quiet wondering.

"Wait here." I dropped her hand, and walked towards the crowd. The sea of students parted, revealing an older man standing in front of my open locker.

I looked at his suit, his graying hair and his expensive watch and decided he was someone important.

"What's going on? Why..." I asked. Panic was now a bitter taste in my mouth. The man looked at me, his eyes analysing, then he looked back at the locker.

"Are you the owner of this locker?" He asked me, lifting his right-hand up. It was then I noticed a small bag.

I tried to swallow, it was a pitiful attempt.

"Yes, why?"

"And are you Miss Natalie Mayers?"

I nodded again, the lump in my throat made it impossible for me to speak without sounding like a child.

He looked at me, turning his body to face me fully.

"I am the associate Dean of this faculty, Miss Mayers. This boy here gave us a little tip that you were harbouring controlled drugs in your locker."

Controlled drugs?

My eyes shifted to the man standing beside him.

He looked like a jock, tall, blonde and stupid. He had a lazy smirk on his face but I could see through it. He was scared.

"Are you listening to me, Ms Mayers? You've been called to the board for questioning. Please come with a doctor's prescription to defend yourself. Note that while these aren't illegal, they shouldn't be circulated within the school."

I nodded, though I didn't hear all he said. The bitter taste was gone. In its place was the irresistible urge to smack that smile off the boy's face.

My fists clenched by my side.

I looked at the boy, his fake confidence drained till it was just fear shining in his eyes.

"Do you understand me?" The Dean spoke again. I only nodded again, not certain I could speak without hurling myself at the man.

"Good. Your hearing would be at the end of the month. Goodluck." And then he was gone.

The whispers of students were now getting to me. They were becoming more audible.

I looked at the blonde boy that was trying to walk away and I couldn't hold back anymore.

I lunged in his direction, shoving him to the lockers. The crowd erupted, then quietened, waiting for the next move.

"Whoa, easy, tiger!" He exclaimed, his voice breaking a little, the only sign of his fear.

"Who are you, and what the hell did you plant in my locker!?"

I pressed my knee up against his nether regions, twisting my legs till he let out a painful groan.

"Please I'm sorry, I was just following orders from my boss!" He let out the pained whisper, through his gritted teeth.

"Boss??" I echoed, blood pounding in my ears.

"I'm just a freshman, please! He told me to plant the drugs in a random locker! I didn't know who you are, it's nothing personal, I promise! It was a task to join his frat house, please!"

I looked at him, watching his face turn red in pain and then, I twisted my legs again. He almost doubled over, a tiny sob escaping his mouth.

"Who is this 'boss' of yours?"

He leaned back against the locker, his eyes scanning the hallways.

"I can't tell!"

"He said nothing would happen to you. It's just a panel probe. You won't get expelled!" He pleaded again.

I twisted my legs.

"Who. Is . Your. Boss?"

He paused, then let out a whine.

"Kian... his name is Kian Lawley."

I finally lifted my legs, watching him drop to the ground.

Kian Lawley.

I knew that name.

My eyes scanned the hallway, shifting from one unknown face to the other. I saw Allison, rushing to me from where she was at, but my eyes kept looking.

Then, at the far end of the hall, leaning against the wall, surrounded by laughing jocks and preening girls, I saw him.

Kian Lawley.

The literal King of this school.

His eyes were already on me, a lazy and relaxed smirk on his face.

My legs froze in place.

He stared at me, not flinching. His dark hair flicked in every direction, like he just rolled out from bed.

Just when my legs decided to work again, he winked, turned and vanished into the crowd.

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!!

Natalie's pov

"Must I be there?" I muttered, my voice coming out small.

True to her word, before the end of the day, I was roaming the halls of a building fit to be called a palace by the sheer ridiculousness of its size.

My mother was also nowhere to be seen, and I was led into a room by a man who introduced himself as Butler Jeffrey.

He was quiet, then his expression softened into a pitiful one.

I hid my disgust, not wanting to ruin my chances of making him an ally.

"Yes. Mr Lawley demands it." He responded shortly then he was gone as well.

So I wandered.

The house was too quiet.

I felt like an intruder, my feet making scuffling sounds on the rugs that I was certain cost more than I would ever earn.

I hated it.

Everything gleamed, polished floors, paintings that probably cost more than my college tuition.

Fresh flowers arranged in crystal vases.

Every corner screamed money.

I shoved my hands into the pockets of my jeans as I wandered aimlessly.

At some point, I realized I was lost.

How perfect.

I stared down another endless corridor before I turned around, hoping to bump into the Butler again, and that was when I heard it.

The sharp crack of a cue ball.

I paused.

Another crack followed.

The sound came from behind a pair of dark wooden doors at the end of the hall.

I followed the sound, stopping just at the door.

My heart made erratic beats against my chest.

I pushed the door open, just enough to be able to peek my head in.

The room looked more like a private club than anything else. Dark wood, leather couches and a fully stocked bar.

The pool table sat at the center. And standing beside it was him.

Kian Lawley.

My hand froze on the door, my head still in the room.

For a second, neither of us moved.

He leaned casually against the table, holding the cue stick in his hand, easily, like it was an extension of himself.

He was in a white shirt, with his sleeves rolled to his elbows. His dark hair was messy as usual.

One of the balls rolled into a pocket.

The 'clack' sound snapped me out of my thoughts, and just then, his eyes lifted, and landed on me instantly.

Recognition flashed in his eyes. Not so much, but it was enough.

A smirk grew on his face, as he seemed to be making the connection. Then it was gone, replaced by a faint glint of curiosity.

The lazy amusement disappeared, but he didn't seem surprised.

He looked at me calmly, but the arrogance still lingered in the air.

My jaw clenched, the anger was brimming steadily to the surface again.

I knew I was going to bump into him, but I didn't expect it to be this soon.

His gaze dropped briefly, like he was putting two and two together, then he lifted his eyes to my face again.

Understanding settled over his features.

He knew exactly why I was here.

The realization sent fresh anger surging through me.

The corner of his mouth twitched, maybe in a smile, or maybe he wanted to speak.

Before he could, I made up my mind, shutting the door with a satisfying bang.

Feeling very proud of myself, I turned, putting considerable distance between me and that room.

My heart pounded the entire length of the hallway, and I didn't look back, but somehow I couldn't push back the anger I felt.

A few minutes later, Butler Jeffrey found me near the staircase.

"Miss Natalie."

I looked up.

"Dinner is ready."

Of course it was.

Because apparently getting framed by your future stepbrother before moving into his mansion wasn't enough excitement for one day.

Now we had to sit at the same table, and act as a family.

The Butler led me to the dining hall, where my nose was assaulted by the most pleasant aromas.

It was empty, so I sat down at the far end of the table, dreadfully anticipating the arrival of everyone.

My mother showed up first, and she was soon followed by the man I'd heard about.

Joey Lawley.

He was tall, with a calculative hint in his eyes. His hair was graying at the edges, but his face still seemed smooth, devoid of wrinkles.

His gaze fell on me, as he sat at the head of the table and I noticed a small shift in his countenance.

He nodded his head at me, like I was just another employee of his.

The whole rushed marriage still baffled me, but I was certain, there was something else in play.

"Natalie. Pleased to meet you." His voice was curt, and laced with formality.

"Nice to meet you too, sir."

"Please, you can call me Dad."

Shivers went down my spine at his words. I tried it out in my head, yet it felt wrong. I looked at my mother, who was still avoiding my eyes, as she ate.

"Do you hear me, Natalie?" Joey spoke again, his tone sounded decisive.

"I want you to call me Dad now."

"Absolutely not.." A voice I knew too well drawled from the halls.

Kian entered the room, his eyes falling on me first.

Gone was the amusement, in its place was only a faint disgust. He sat at the chair across mine, then looked at his father.

"She is quite infamous in school, dad. You won't want your name tarnished by taking a drug peddler as a daughter, now would you?"