My Arrogant Stepbrother

3 : The First Day Of School

I hated first days. New schools, new faces, new whispers—it was a cycle I’d lived through too many times, thanks to all the moving around with Mom. But this time felt worse. This time, I wasn’t just the “new girl.” I was Jason Cole’s stepsister.

And everyone seemed to know it.

The minute I walked through the gleaming doors of Brookwood Academy, a private school that looked more like a college campus, eyes followed me. Girls in designer shoes and perfect hair gave me slow once-overs, their whispers not nearly as quiet as they thought.

“Is that her?”

“The step-sister?”

“She doesn’t even look like she belongs here.”

I clutched my schedule tighter, focusing on the polished floor so I wouldn’t see their judgment. My uniform felt stiff, unnatural, like it had been made for someone else’s life.

Then, of course, Jason appeared.

He strolled down the hallway like he owned the place, surrounded by a group of friends who laughed at something he’d said. His presence sucked the air out of the room; everyone either stared at him with awe or melted into the background. Jason Cole was, apparently, king here.

And the king had noticed me.

“Well, well,” he drawled, stepping right into my path. His smirk was in full force. “If it isn’t Princess. I was wondering how long it would take you to embarrass yourself here.”

His friends chuckled, and my cheeks burned. I wanted to disappear, but I straightened my shoulders instead. “Don’t you have something better to do than stalk me?”

Jason tilted his head, eyes glinting. “I don’t stalk. People just happen to orbit me.”

I rolled my eyes, trying to sidestep him, but he shifted to block me again. “Word of advice, Princess. Stay out of my way, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll survive here.”

I opened my mouth to snap back, but before I could, a bubbly blonde girl appeared, practically clinging to his arm.

“Jason, you promised to show me the library today,” she said, glaring at me like I was something she’d stepped in.

Jason smirked, glancing between us. “Later, Chelsea. I’m busy showing my new… sister around.” He spat the word “sister” like it was poison.

The blonde’s eyes widened. Then she looked at me with open disgust. “Oh. You’re her.”

Heat prickled at the back of my neck, but I forced a smile. “Nice to meet you, too.”

Jason laughed under his breath, clearly entertained. “Careful, Princess. Chelsea bites.”

I glared at him. “Good thing I’m not afraid of dogs.”

For the first time, Jason’s smirk faltered. His friends hooted, and Chelsea gasped, tugging him away in a huff. I took the opportunity to slip past him, my heart pounding but my chin high.

⸻

By lunchtime, I’d survived three classes and a constant barrage of stares. I found an empty corner in the cafeteria, clutching my tray like a shield. But peace didn’t last long.

Jason dropped into the seat across from me, his tray loaded with food he clearly had no intention of eating. His friends trailed behind but hung back, waiting for a show.

“You’ve got guts, Princess,” Jason said, leaning back casually. “Not many people talk back to me, especially not on their first day.”

“Maybe that’s because they’re smart,” I muttered.

Jason grinned, his eyes sharp. “Or maybe they know their place. You should learn yours.”

I slammed my fork down, my patience finally snapping. “And what place is that, Jason? Beneath you? Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t bow to arrogant jerks, even if they think they’re king of the world.”

His smirk wavered again, replaced by something darker—something unreadable. The cafeteria went quiet, students craning to hear every word. Jason leaned forward, his gaze locking onto mine.

“Careful, Olivia,” he said softly, almost dangerously. “If you’re not beneath me, that means you’re standing against me. And that never ends well.”

My pulse hammered in my ears, but I didn’t look away. For the first time, I saw a flicker of surprise in Jason’s eyes. Maybe he expected me to shrink. Maybe he wanted me to.

But I wasn’t going to.

Not now. Not ever.