Bullied By My Alpha Stepbrother

Jason Davenport

I shut my eyes tight as Ashley knocked at my bedroom door. It stood wide open so obviously, she could see that I was awake.

I turned over in my bed, hoping she would take a hint and go away. But instead she knocked a second time.

“Do you have a minute?” She asked in her tinkly voice.

I wanted to yell out a huge ‘no’ but I wasn’t in the mood to quarrel with her. So I sat up and motioned for her to come in.

She didn’t sit, instead she folded her hands behind her and cleared her throat.

“Look, I know you don’t want to see me or talk to me, but I have something to say.”

I have her a blank stare.

“I’m trying. I’m trying so hard. And I know you don’t see it, or refuse to see it. But it’s fine, I understand why.”

I cocked an eyebrow at her, folding my arms in front of me.

“I’m the one who. . .” She trailed off, tucking a strand of her blondish pink hair behind her ears and fiddling with the hem of her sweater. “I-I pressured your dad.”

My eyebrows furrowed in a frown. I knew it. Dad would never act the way he did if she didn’t. So she really was a fraud.

As if she heard my thoughts, she raised a hand, “Let me finish. Please.”

I shrugged, leaning back into the bed.

“I asked him to bring me here, introduce us. I wanted you to, I dunno. . .” She gave a hollow laugh. “. . . learn to like me, accept me.”Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

She hung her head, rubbing her arm in an up and down motion.

“I always knew there was something shady about you,” I spat.

She didn’t respond so I continued.

“If you feel this bad then leave.”

Her head shot up in surprise.

“Yeah,” I continued. “Go away. Leave us in peace. Everything will sort itself out when you’re gone.”

“You know I can’t do that,” She stated gently. “I love your dad.”

I gave a loud snort. “You love him, or you love his money.”

I saw disbelief flash in her eyes as she stared at me. “Why would you say that? Of course I love him. His wealth has nothing to do with that.”

I rolled my eyes, getting up and pulling her gently toward the door. “When you’re ready to talk, like honestly talk? Then you can come in.”

Without waiting for a reply, I shut the door behind me.

Amelia Forbes

I was five months gone. My stomach wasn’t as big as the women’s I’d seen at five months. The internet said it was because I was a first-time mom.

Nana had begun to be even more suspicious. Especially with me staying in bed all day and feeling sick. I’d also begun to crave weird kinds of food, but I’d had to control myself in order not to arouse her suspicion.

After the fourth month, I’d had to come up with an excuse for staying indoors all day so I told Nana that I’d gotten an online job that needed me to work twenty hours a day. Of course, she didn’t look like she believed me, so I had to convince her.

After a while she started to believe me. But once in a while she brought up college. And then I had to lie about sending out applications so she’d be at rest.

Keeping up with the lies was a lot of stress, but in between crying myself to sleep, pretending to be okay and suicidal thoughts, I’d managed to stay on track.

Adrian visited once in a while as he was busy applying to colleges and hoping to bag a scholarship. I sensed that he was having trouble at home, maybe a family issues. But he denied it and refused to say anything else. He came over twice a week-first texting me to ask what I was craving, then bringing it with him. We’d talk for hours, maybe play a few games. And as usual he’d make me laugh so hard I thought the baby would pop out.

Once he had asked me how I would explain the pregnancy to Nana. The more I thought about it the more I decided I didn’t know.

Would she believe me if I told her the truth?

I wasn’t sure.

So for now I’d keep up with the lies then when I was ready, I’d tell her everything.

I swallowed, not wanting to know how that would go down. I wasn’t sure I could even express myself and explain the situation in sign language. I’d be too nervous. All of a sudden, I wished Nana could hear. Because if she could, surely she’d be able to talk as well. Seeing as she’d be able to hear the sound of her own voice. Then, talking about this would be easier. It would make for better communication.

I shook my head vigorously.

Shush, Mel. Why are you even thinking like this?

Rubbing my forehead, I relaxed back into my bed and began to cram potato chips into my mouth.