Misunderstood By My Stepbrother

Freya’s POV : “Happy birthday Freya.” The moment Luci said it,I couldn’t stop myself from hugging her. “Thank you so much Luci.” Before I could say anything else Wren' Luci’s older brother stepped forward with a small smile. “Hey Freya,Happy birthday.” “Thank you Wren,” I replied politely. Today was my birthday.And Valentine’s Day. I had planned everything so carefully decorations music,cake even the guest list. I invited all my college friends and they all came. The room was full of laughter,chatter and bright lights. Everyone was there… except the one person I wanted the most. Nash. My eyes kept drifting toward the entrance every few minutes.Maybe he was stuck in traffic.Maybe he was still preparing a surprise .Maybe “Freya,” Luci’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “What happened? Why is your mood off?” I forced a small smile. “Nothing’s wrong.” She narrowed her eyes.“Then why are you making that face? Come on everyone’s here.It’s almost midnight,it’s time to cut the cake.” I nodded but my heart felt heavy. The party was loud and cheerful, but inside I felt strangely quiet. As the clock struck twelve and I picked up the knife to cut the cake the sky suddenly exploded with colors.Fireworks lit up the night and everyone cheered. “Happy birthday..Freya!” they shouted. I looked up stunned. A drone hovered in the sky, carrying a large banner that read: "Happy birthday my love." My heart skipped a beat. Then I saw him. Nash stood in front of me holding a huge bouquet of roses.He smiled in that charming way that always melted me. “Happy birthday, my love,” he said softly. “And happy Valentine’s Day.” I hadn’t expected anything like this.My sadness disappeared instantly, replaced by pure happiness. I stepped forward and hugged him tightly. “Thank you honey.” He chuckled. “Come on, baby.It’s getting late. Cut the cake.” I did as he said.The first piece, of course went to him.He took a bite then playfully smeared some cream on my cheek.Everyone laughed, and for a moment everything felt perfect. A little while later he called softly, “Freya…” “Yes, honey?” He looked a bit uneasy. “Baby,I actually have to go home.My mom is sick. You know it’s just me and her.Dad’s away for business. I’m sorry… I won’t be able to spend time with you tonight.” My heart sank but concern replaced the disappointment. “What? Your mom is sick?Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Being with her is more important than being here.” He held my hand.“Thank God, baby. You understand me so well.” I smiled gently. “It’s okay. Go home.Taking care of your mom is more important than my birthday party.” He hugged me and gave me a soft kiss before leaving. As I watched him walk away the happiness I’d felt a few minutes ago slowly faded.The party noise suddenly felt distant.. “Freya!” Luci’s voice came from behind me.She placed a hand on my shoulder. “What happened? Where’s Nash?” “He left,” I said quietly.“His mom is sick.” Luci muttered something under her breath.It sounded like, “Who knows if he’s telling the truth…” “Did you say something?” I asked. She shook her head quickly. “No..Nothing Come on don’t ruin the whole party because of him.” She pulled me back to the dance floor and I tried to enjoy the rest of the night. Next Morning 9:29 AM My head throbbed as I woke up.I sat up slowly and looked around my room.I wasn’t surprised. Luci must have brought me home. I had only a little to drink but it was enough. I always get drunk too easily. As I checked the time, Mom walked in. “You’re awake?” she said.“Go freshen up and come downstairs for breakfast.” I nodded and went to the bathroom. “Good morning Freya,” Rose chirped when I reached the dining table. “Good morning…” Mom placed a glass of juice in front of me. “You know you can’t handle alcohol.Then why did you drink? I tell you so many times, but you never listen. Drink this you’ll feel better.” “Oh..Mom,” I sighed.“It was my birthday. Don’t scold me today.I don’t drink all the time.” She shook her head.“This girl never listens.” After breakfast,I returned to my room and lay on my bed holding my phone. Today was Valentine’s Day.Nash and I had so many plans. Just thinking about it made me smile. Somehow I drifted back to sleep. When I woke up again Rose was calling my name. I checked the time. 3:30 PM. “Oh no!” I jumped out of bed.I had a date with Nash. I quickly got ready choosing an outfit I knew he liked and headed to the rooftop cafe we’d picked. He told me to wait there. So I did. Thirty minutes passed. Then forty. He still hadn’t come. Watching the other couples laughing and holding hands made me feel irritated.I called him again and again.No answer. Finally,he picked up. “Hello,,,Nash! Where are you? I’ve been waiting on the rooftop.” “Actually baby…” “Don’t tell me you forgot.” “No baby. I didn’t forget.I just forgot to tell you,my mom got very sick.I’m at the hospital with her. I’m really sorry. Please don’t be angry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I just forgot in all this pressure.” My anger disappeared instantly. “Oh!honey… I forgot about your mom.How is she now? Which hospital are you at? I’m coming.” “No,,no,” he said quickly.“You don’t have to come. I’m here with her. I’ll handle everything. Don’t trouble yourself.Just go home. I’ll meet you soon.” I hesitated. “Um… okay.” “Bye, baby. Love you.” “Love you too.” After the call ended I felt strangely empty. I left the rooftop and stood by the roadside waiting for a taxi. “Heyy,,Freya!” Cassandra suddenly hugged me. “What’s up?” “Hey.” “Where are you going? On a date?” “No. I was going home.” She raised an eyebrow. “Come with us instead.” “But where?” “You’ll see.” Before I could protest she pulled me into the car. Along with her friends Max and David we drove to a pool party. “Cassandra,where did you bring me?” I asked as I stepped inside. “Freya chill.It’s a pool party. Singles couples everyone’s here. Just enjoy.” But I couldn’t. People were swimming,drinking, kissing dancing. It all felt too loud too wild.Cassandra disappeared with her boyfriend leaving me alone. I moved to a quiet corner. A guy approached me with a drink. “Hey, sexy lady. What are you doing here all alone?” I ignored him feeling uncomfortable. Then suddenly, another voice spoke. “Hey Get out. She’s my girlfriend.” I looked up shocked.The stranger backed off. The boy turned to me and held out his hand. “Hi I’m Aiden. He seemed to be bothering you. And you were alone so… I had to say that. Sorry.” I shook his hand. “No it’s okay.Thank you for helping me.” He smiled. “So what are you doing alone at this party?” “I’m not alone,” I said quickly.“I came with friends.” “Oh,” he nodded. “Do you drink?” “Not really.” And for the first time that day, I felt like maybe the night wasn’t completely ruined. After talking with Aiden for a while he smiled at me and said he’d be right back. “Wait here,” he told me. “I’ll bring something.” I nodded and watched him disappear into the crowd. Left alone I started looking around the party. Music thumped through the air people laughed danced splashed in the pool.Everything felt loud and chaotic. Then my eyes landed on a boy dancing very closely with several girls.The way he touched them the way they pressed against him it felt uncomfortable just to watch. From the back something about him seemed familiar. Why does he look so familiar? I thought frowning. I stepped a little closer trying to see his face.Just then, he grabbed one of the girls and started heading toward the house. I stopped where I was watching him walk away. “Who is that? I feel like I’ve seen him before…” I whispered to myself. As if he sensed my gaze the boy suddenly turned around. He pulled the girl closer and kissed her. My breath caught in my throat. The world seemed to freeze. “Nash…” My voice barely came out. It was him. Nash kissed the girl again then took her inside the house. Before I even realized it my legs started moving. I ran after them. Inside the house I searched for him like a crazy person. My hands trembled, my legs felt weak, and my heart pounded so loudly it drowned out the music. People stared at me confused but I didn’t care. I rushed up to the second floor, checking every room. Then I saw it. Through an open door, I saw Nash inside holding a girl in his arms.He was kissing her like nothing else in the world mattered.Their state… it was too shameful,too painful to even look at. I stood frozen at the doorway. Tears filled my eyes, blurring my vision. Nash turned his head and saw me. The girl in his arms screamed and quickly grabbed something to cover herself. “Freya…” Nash said his voice filled with shock. But I couldn’t speak. My throat felt tight.My chest hurt. Tears rolled down my cheeks. “I hate you,” I whispered, before turning and running out of the house. I had never imagined Nash would cheat on me. I trusted him more than anyone.Every word he said,I believed without question. And now… everything felt like a lie. I walked away from the party crying uncontrollably.I grabbed a drink, then another.I couldn’t accept what I’d just seen. My heart felt like it was being crushed. I kept drinking and crying until I couldn’t tell how much time had passed. Eventually I stumbled out of the party.It was late. The streets were darker and quieter now. My head felt heavy.My thoughts were blurry.I could barely walk straight. Without realizing it I drifted into the middle of the road. After a few steps I stopped. A loud truck horn blared behind me. I turned slowly. Bright headlights blinded me.My vision was hazy and I couldn’t think clearly. The truck came closer… and closer… I didn’t move.i couldn't. my whole body froze and it felt like my body was on longer in my control. Suddenly,someone grabbed my hand and pulled me hard. I felt my body jerk sideways.Then we both fell to the ground.My head hit the road hard and my head started spinning wildly. My vision blurred and my ears started to ring. And then,Everything went dark. When I faintly opened my eyes again I was being carried. My head rested against someone’s chest. I could hear a fast heartbeat maybe his maybe mine. I felt so tired.So empty. “Please… don’t leave me,” I whispered weakly. A warm hand squeezed mine . “I’m not going anywhere,” a soft male voice said. “Don’t worry.” His voice felt calm… safe . My eyes closed again and I slipped back into darkness my head falling against his chest. He held me with one arm while driving with the other rushing me toward the hospital.