002+ Seat Mate
815 Words
ARIEL
A heavy hand crashed onto my shoulder, dragging me out of sleep. It wasn't gentle. It felt more like a warning than a wake-up call.
"Wake up. Do you want to be late for school?" the voice snapped. I didn't need to look twice. It was my mother. I slowly opened my eyes and found her standing over me, arms folded, her face tight with anger.
"Good morning, Mom. How was your night?" I asked, forcing the smile of the perfect daughter she always wanted. Almost instantly, her expression softened, as if someone had flipped a switch.
"Good morning, sunshine. Did you sleep well? I came to your room last night, but you were already asleep. I even wanted to give you some new dresses," she smiled sweetly.
I frowned inside, of course, another performance. She had to convince her boyfriend she was the loving, caring mother of the year. I buried the thought and smiled back.
"Hurry and get dressed. Your dad doesn't want us to eat breakfast without you and your brother," My brother?
The words made my face burn. Memories from the other night flashed through my mind like broken pieces of glass, but I shoved them away before they could consume me, I simply nodded and headed to the bathroom.
☀️
"You're looking beautiful, Ariel," Mr. Clayton said warmly as I entered the dining room. "Come, sit beside your mother. I didn't know your brother had returned. I'm sorry about that, darling,"
"It's okay, Mr," mom sharp glare stopped me. She wanted me to call him Daddy. Mr. Clayton noticed the silence and smiled kindly, "It's alright. Take your time. You can call me Mr. Clayton for now. I just want you to feel comfortable,"
I nodded and sat beside my mother, who still looked far from pleased. Just as breakfast was about to begin, heavy footsteps echoed through the room.
Mr. Clayton looked toward the entrance, his fork slipped from his hand, "Damian! Why didn't you tell me you were back?" he demanded, his voice filled with a father's disappointment. Damian didn't answer.
The silence felt colder than winter. Mr. Clayton cleared his throat and turned to me, "Ariel, this is Damian... your brother," His smile returned, but it couldn't warm the room.
"We've already met," Damian replied, his voice empty of emotion. Mr. Clayton nodded awkwardly, "Good. Then take Ariel to school. You both attend the same school, and you should eat first. Your mother prepared—," He stopped halfway through his sentence.
"Actually, the maid will pack Ariel's breakfast. Damian, take her with you," I swallowed hard. Every part of me wanted to refuse. I stood and quietly walked toward the door. Damian was already gone. Outside, a sleek black power bike waited in the driveway.
My stomach twisted. No. There was no way I could ride with him. I hurried back inside.
"Mr. Clayton... I don't want to trouble him. I can walk. The school isn't that far according to the admission guide," I silently prayed he would agree, instead, he frowned.
"Trouble your brother? Ariel, you're not a burden. You both go to the same school. Go with him, "But I,"
"Ariel," my mother interrupted sharply, "stop acting like a child and go," I lowered my head in submission, "Yes, Mom,"
When I stepped outside again, the maid sighed, "Master Damian has already left," A strange wave of relief washed over me. Even if it meant walking the long distance alone.
By the time I reached the school gates, my legs ached and sweat clung to my skin. I rushed through the hallway until I found the classroom listed in my admission papers. The lesson had already started. I froze at the door, expecting the teacher to scold me.
Instead, she smiled.
"Come in," I blinked in surprise. She faced the class, "Everyone, this is Ariel, your new classmate. Let's welcome her," The classroom filled with polite applause.
"As you all know, she's new. Someone, please make space for her," The room fell silent. Students glanced at one another, each hoping someone else would volunteer. Then a voice cut through the silence.
"She can sit here,"
The teacher looked toward the speaker and smiled, "Thank you, Zayn," She motioned for me to take the empty seat. I walked slowly, every step heavy with nervousness. Thankfully, the desk was only a few feet away.
The boy smiled brightly, "I'm Zayn. Nice to meet you, "I gave a small nod, "Nice to meet you too," I placed my worn-out bag carefully beside my chair. Mom had hidden it from Mr. Clayton. She didn't want him seeing the old, faded thing I still carried.
As I settled into my seat, something made me glance behind me. The moment I did, my heart nearly stopped. I had a seatmate. It wasn't a stranger.
It was Damian. My stepbrother.
- Writer
