Letters And Lies

The wrong hands

Chapter Two — The wrong hands

Phoebe's POV

The day I had been dreaming of finally came.

Today, I was going to give Conrad my confession letter and see if he felt the same way about me.

I exhaled slowly as I entered the boys' locker room.

Lucky for me, they were all gone and Conrad was the only one left.

For a moment I forgot how to speak, staring at his demigod body.

His shoulders twitched as he moved, muscles clenching by each movement.

Come on Phoebe, you can do it.

“Uh.. Conrad?” My eyes flustered shut impulsively. “I'm Phoebe…um fifi, I've had a crush on you for years, I wrote this for you…”

My hands trembled as I held out my letter, my eyes still closed.

My heart tightened as he took the letter, a small smile forming at the side of my lips.

This was it.

He would read my letter and understand how deeply in love I was.

Heavy silence stretched for minutes and Conrad didn't say a word.

I squeezed my eyes tighter, picking my nails as the fear of his rejection flickered for a moment.

“I dream about you every night, when your strong arms pull me in close…”

My eyes snapped open. That wasn't Conrad's voice.

Color drained from my face as I stared at the person holding my letter.

“wh…..ho..w?”

Seth.

Seth was reading my letter!

“I cannot help but feel ticklish when you…” he continued.

I reached for it quickly, but he held his hand up in the air and stopped me.

“What? Isn't this mine?” he asked, mischief laced in his voice.

I frowned, trying to snatch it, but he was too tall compared to my height. “It isn't yours. Give it back!”

He took a step back, a small smirk curved at the side of his lips. “Is this what you call a confession? It's handwritten porn.”

I wished the ground would just open and swallow me right there, or I would turn invisible forever.

How could I let this happen?

“It's none of your business!” I snapped.

His eyes widened slightly but he wasn't afraid.

I exhaled calmly this time. “Please can I have it back? It wasn't meant for anyone to see.”

He shook his head, enjoying every bit of it. “Nah. You wrote it, so someone was going to read it some day. But for Conrad?.....come on.”

He rolled his eyes like I had done the most stupid thing on earth.

Footsteps came from outside, and before I could think, Conrad and the others came in.

This can't be happening now.

“We heard yelling, is this nerd disturbing you Seth?” Summer chipped annoyingly.

Her eyes caught the letter in Seth's hands and she gasped. “Omg, did you write a love letter to him? Let me see..”

“No!” I tried snatching it before she did, but Seth stopped both of us.

“It's my letter, so I get to decide what I do with it.” His voice sounded firm and calm at the same time.

“You can all leave now, right?” he added.

Summer stomped her feet hard on the tile before finally leaving with her minions.

Conrad stared between me and Seth for a second before he left too.

The look in his eyes made my stomach twist.

“So…” Seth began again. I clenched my fist as I turned to him. I wish I could just punch that smirk off his lips.

He tossed the letter into his locker and slammed it shut.

“I'm going to keep it safe. You can leave,” he said.

“Keep it safe?” I repeated in disbelief.

He nodded.

A dry scoff escaped my lips. “You can't be serious.”

“It's my letter, give it back,” I added.

Seth refused to listen. He chuckled lightly, but there was no humor in it.

He pointed at the door. “Leave.”

His mind was made up and no matter how much I pleaded, he wasn't going to listen.

I clenched my fist and stormed out of the room.

Now the school's newest playboy had my secret letter… God knew what he was going to do with it.

**********

The last lecture ended, and I made my way out of the school building.

Mom's car was parked in the driveway.

Summer suddenly came in front of me, blocking my path. “Hey bitch.”

“What is it summer?” I asked, uninterested.

She took a step closer, crowding my space. “Stay away from Seth.” her voice lowered in a whisper.

I looked up at her. “I don't know what you're talking about summer, I don't like Seth.”

How could I even like a person like him?

He derived joy in seeing me beg.

She smiled and stepped back, crossing her arms. “You better keep your word, Phoebe. If you don't, you'll have yourself to blame for what happens.”

Was she threatening me?

“Okay.” I muttered calmly.

I exhaled as she walked away.

Now summer is after me. All because of that douchebag, Seth.

I walked down to mom's car, she smiled as I sat in the passenger seat.

“How was school today Hun?” she asked.

Seth has my secret letter, summer declared war because of him and Conrad still doesn't know how I feel about him.

“Fine,” I said instead.

I noticed two suitcases in the back seat. “Are those our bags mom?”

She exhaled, her hand tightened around the steering wheel. “Daniel wants us to move in today sweetheart, you don't mind, do you?”

I forced out a small smile. “I don't mind mom, let's go meet my new stepfather.”

She cupped my cheek, smiling happily. “Thank you.”

The engines roared as she started the car and drove off.

********

My lips parted as I stared at the mansion in front of us.

“Daniel's house is really beautiful,” I mumbled to mom.

“Go in dear, I'll be right behind you,” she muttered.

I dragged my suitcase and stepped into the house.

It was huge—all sleek glass, white marble, and perfectly manicured lawns that looked like they belonged in a magazine. The kind of house that screamed money and perfection.

Our old home suddenly felt tiny and ordinary. I swallowed hard, gripping my bag tighter. This was my new reality now.

He even had an indoor swimming pool.

Someone was inside. I guessed it was Daniel, but how could a 50-year-old swim so fast like that?

I leaned closer to see who it was, but I couldn't find him anymore.

Curiously, I bent and looked carefully. “Where did he go?”

His head popped out suddenly, and I screamed, falling on my butt.

“What the—.” the words hung in my throat as I saw who it was.

My cheeks burned staring at his wet body, but I looked away quickly.

He held out his hand, but I slapped it off and stood up. “What are you doing here?” I asked, crossing my arms.

He scoffed lightly with a shake of his head. “This is my house. You're the guest….stepsister.”

Did he just say what I think he said?

“Stepsister?” I repeated as I wasn't sure it was what he said.

He gave a small nod, his lips curving into a sly smirk. “We’re siblings now, get used to it….or go write letters to Conrad about it.”