MY STEPBROTHER, MY RUIN

CHAPTER 011: MISERABLE SHOW-OFF

RONAN;

By the time I reached the classroom, only a few students had shown up. This school ran on clear rules I had no idea who made. It seemed to be the same even with students in their third and final year. Always moving in packs.

At the top sat the golden circle, kids from old-money families, athletes, and anyone with enough influence to make or break reputations in a single lunch period.

I had held the top spot without trying too hard ever since I set foot in this school. People moved out of my way in the halls, they laughed at my jokes even when they weren’t funny.

Girls like Selene made sure everyone saw them hanging on my arm so they could climb a little higher themselves.

Below us were the regular groups, the quiet studious ones, the loud party crowd, the athletes who stuck together, and the new kids who either blended in fast or got chewed up by whispers, the likes of June, joining in mid-semester.

I picked a seat in the middle row, close enough to see the whole room but not too obvious. From here I could watch wherever she decided to sit. I tilted my watch to check the time, tapping my foot against the floor.

A part of me whispered.

“What if she didn't show up today, maybe still scared of being taunted again?”

“Then it is what it is,” I shuddered, trying to act like I didn't give a hoot what she decides to do, but deep inside, my heart missed a beat at that hazy thought.

The whispers about “meanie girl” were still floating around, and I knew they came from me. Even now in this classroom, I could hear some of Selene's girls whispering it still.

But was I sorry? Not really. Planning to quiet them down anytime soon? Nope. That would only mean killing my place in her head. I liked the conflict I had created for her.

Thanks to me, she was the second most popular person in school right now, not because people liked her, but because everyone wanted to know the story that revolved around Ronan.

That kind of gossip spread faster than anything. Some kids already took sides without knowing the full picture. Others just repeated whatever they heard so they could stay relevant.

Selene had messaged me last night, trying to bring that up, but my mind was too occupied to respond to any of her messages. And when I called her, she refused to pick up my calls. She had been that dramatic ever since we met about three years ago.

Each time the door swung open, my eyes flew to it. Maybe she finally came. But each time, a different student walked in. None of them was June. I started losing hope, maybe she had decided to stay home.

Maybe the embarrassment from her first day plus the bathroom thing had been too much. I leaned back in my chair and scrolled through my phone, pretending I didn’t care. But my eyes kept flicking to the door still.

Then the door swung open slowly, like the person behind it was scared of making too much noise. I lifted my face, almost sure it would be some random student like the other ninety-nine times.

But there she stood.

June.

Her light yellow sweatshirt pulled over her white blouse, paired with neat denim trousers that hugged her hips just right. Her white sneakers looked clean and fresh.

Her hair was tied back in a simple ponytail that showed off the soft, delicate curve of her face and the smooth line of her neck. The ones I spent hours watching on my laptop.

One hand gripped the strap of her tote bag so tight like she was taking out the hatred she felt for me on the poor bag. She looked nervous, eyes scanning the room quickly before stepping inside

My chest fluttered really hard. My hand twitched around my phone. I blinked once, fast, forcing my face to stay blank when all my lips wanted to do was part in a stupid smile. I swallowed hard instead.

Smiling would make me look desperate, like I had been waiting just to see her. But damn, my heart started beating harder. My fingers froze on the screen, the page I had been scrolling through completely forgotten.

She paused near the doorway, shoulders a little tense, like she was pondering if coming to class was actually a good idea. Somehow, I prayed she remained that bold, vibrant girl who called me out, and not let the whispers drown her.

Then she moved. A little bit faster, like she had pulled herself together in the last second, but then everything crashed.

I saw it, everyone did. The sole of her sneaker flapping right under her foot. Her jaw tightened, eyes dimmed a little. The whispers grew louder. Truth is, I didn’t know what to do at the moment, anything I did now would raise even more dust.

I thought of saying something, but then there in the hallway, stood Selene and two of her friends. I knew what this was, her hands clasped tight across her chest, gaze moved from June's back to me.

More mean words flew in the air. Then he stepped out. This boy from nowhere, like he was some savior in time of trouble. I had recognized him from the athletes group the last time I was in school, he plays soccer.

Why was he there? Why was she acting like a?

I wasn't done analyzing the scenario in my head before this huge boy scooped her off the floor, her thick thighs on one arm, her back on the other.

My heart tore into shreds, like a sharp spear was darted through me. My fist curled lightly against the desk. You know what's worse? The whispering of mean words had turned into something else, students cooed like this was some soap opera.

I couldn't help but have my eyes trail them to the seat. For a short second, my eyes met June's, and she seemed to be happy in his arms, she seemed to be happy with that charm-parasite taking the bad sneaker off her foot. My jaw clenched even harder. I pulled my face off the mini-show, smacking my teeth a little.

Who was he to her? Had he known her before now?

I wasn't done processing what just happened, and the way her eyes brightened again without me being behind it, then he struts out holding a bad sneaker in his hand.

And before I could say jack, he was back, handing what seemed to be a new pair of sneakers to her. What happened to the book he had in his face a few minutes ago?! Such a miserable show-off!

What was he feeling like? Just because a few people described him as a good soccer player the other day doesn't mean he should play with my feelings too!

Oh, I hated that boy!