Hate Me, Love Me Stepbrother

I stamped my feet in anger as Gilbert approached. “Why don’t you ever call back whenever I call you?” Gilbert looked unbothered and unapologetic for someone who had kept me waiting for over an hour. Gilbert’s father, now my stepfather, assured me that I could depend on his son as a guide in campus. I wasn’t a fool to believe what he said because Gilbert is a devil. I’m helpless and I needed a few of my questions answered nonetheless that’s why I called and he responded with a text that I should wait here for him. He eyed me for a second, as if he was contemplating whether to answer me or not, then stood in front of me with a frown. “Is there any need to? What do you want from me this time?” I sighed out in frustration. “Gilbert, it isn’t up to twelve hours that our parents left and they made you promise that you will look after me here in the university.” He glared at me. “Are you a baby? Why would I give up my freedom just to babysit you?” I held back the urge to scream at him. “If you knew you wouldn’t help me, you shouldn’t have assured your father and my mother that you’ll be a responsible brother. You lied.” Gilbert laughed out loud. “Responsible brother?” I took a step forward and looked up at him. “Aren’t we siblings now? You’re my brother.” “Don’t call me that here!” His cold eyes met mine. “You’re a freshman, so go join the other new students in the hall. The student president will be addressing you all in an hour.” He turned around to leave but I quickly blocked his path. “I know you don’t like me, but so do I. Can’t we just keep our differences aside? I know no one here and I’ll need your help.” “I’ve told you about the freshmen’s meeting with the student president. That’s enough help. Don’t you think?” “Why are you so cold to me? You promised our parents that—” “Enough of your yapping! I only told them I will watch over you to get them off my back,” he yelled. “I’m tired of hearing you complain. Can’t you make friends? Mingle with anyone you find and you won’t get lost.” He pointed a finger at me and his cold stare send shivers up my spine. “I’m not willing to give up my freedom to babysit you, Sandra. If your mother hadn’t deceived my dad and brainwashed him, I wouldn’t be having an annoying girl like you as a sister.” I tried to speak up but words betray me. When I did, my voice trembled. “Don’t… talk about… my mother like that. Your father was the one who brainwashed her. He is the last man I would want my mother to be with. I hate the fact that they are engaged and I’m stuck here in Colorado.” “Whatever!” he sneered. “I have no business with you here. Live your life and I’ll live mine. Don’t address me as your brother. It’s embarrassing.” “And what if I address you as my brother? What would you do?” I crossed my arms over my chest, challenging him. He leaned close enough that his scent hit my nose and he whispered into my ears. “Don’t try me, Sandra or I swear I would make my wolf eat you alive.” I stared at him in shock. His seriousness when he said it confirmed to me he wasn’t joking. I didn’t need any other proof to know that Gilbert hated the idea that I was his stepsister. “Don’t play with me,” he added. I kicked the dirt with my feet as I watch him leave. It took a lot of self-control not to pick a stone and throw at him. Yes, I was willing to do so because of how enraged I felt by his threat. I wasn’t surprised by his action towards me. Just like me, Gilbert is angry that our parents are engaged to each other. I believe I’m the one most affected adversely by my mother’s decision to marry a man from this city because I had to abandon my dream of going to New York after my high school graduation. Lost in thought, I got startled by a tap on my shoulder. My heart almost jumped out of my mouth. I turned around to find a tall strange girl. “Sorry, I startled you,” she quickly said, smiling at me. “Who are you?” I whispered, my hand still gripping my chest. My racing heart was beginning to slow down knowing now that I was safe. “Are you okay? I can leave if you’re not in the mood to talk,” she said, her voice laced with concern. “Don’t worry. I’m fine.” I smiled to assure her that she could get on with what she came for. She smiled revealing her beautiful dentition. “I’m Stephanie Lee. Aren’t you Sandra Gates?” “How do you know who I am?” “I’m your roommate,” She revealed. “I got here an hour ago and was told a pretty lady by the name Sandra Gates is my roommate. Someone pointed me towards this direction when I asked where you had gone. I must say, you’re just as they described. Very pretty.” I soon felt relief seeing another new student like me. I nodded and extended my hand for a handshake appreciating her compliment. “Thank you, Stephanie. I am Sandra and nice to meet you.” She looked like a sweet girl and I hoped she would be a good company since I couldn’t depend on my good-for-nothing stepbrother. “I had arrived here much earlier but I saw you having an argument with a hot guy.” I felt embarrassed that she had seen my argument with Gilbert but I quickly mask my expression. “It was just a little disagreement that we had.” “I understand.” She winked at me. “You guys looked cute together though.” “Hell no!” I yelled out as soon as I sense what she meant by her statement. My yell surprised her. “Did I say anything wrong?” “I’m sorry I yelled. But we are not…umm…it’s not what you’re thinking.” Her eyes narrowed, clearly shocked by my explanation. “Oh. I thought you guys are a couple.” I cringed at the thought of it. “Not with that proud jerk. He is my stepbrother.” “Now I see why you reacted in such away.” Her eyes flashed brightly beneath the light. “Siblings can be annoying sometimes.” And just then I gasped instantly regretting what I had told Stephanie. I recalled Gilbert’s warning and went ahead to beg Stephanie. “Please, you mustn’t tell anyone that we are related. He doesn’t want people to know and he promised to eat me alive if I told anyone.” Stephanie laughed. I wondered what she found amusing. “Eat you alive! That’s ridiculous. Will he really do that? You look scared…” “It’s one month now that our parents got engaged and we’ve been living together,” I revealed to her. Stephanie’s charm made me feel like I could tell her anything. “We are far from a happy family. Gilbert hates the engagement as much as I do. If there’s anything I’ve learnt about Gilbert, it’s that he doesn’t bluff.” Her mouth flew wide open. “That’s so mean. Your pack should protect you from him.” I nodded curtly. “I wish I could terrorize his life the way he does mine.” Stephanie hugged me warmly. “Don’t worry. I’m glad we’re roommates,” She whispered in a low tone. “You’ll have a lot to learn from me if you want to teach his sorry ass a lesson.” I bat an eye at Stephanie’s response, still in each other’s embrace. She had so much confidence in her words and I wondered why. All I care about at the moment is that I got myself a concerned roommate and possibly a best friend if she can teach me how to give Gilbert a tough time to.