Consumed by My Biker Step Brother

Ruthless

The day goes on smoothly, but I don’t miss the faint whispers and the occasional glares coming my way.

Every time I walk down a hallway, I feel eyes tracking me. It feels like I am on a stage in a play I never auditioned for.

When the lunch bell rings, my stomach is already growling in protest.

With how awkward the atmosphere was during breakfast, I didn't get to eat much.

I grab my bag, ready to venture outside to find something to fill my stomach when someone taps me on my shoulder.

When I turn around, a beautiful round face adjourned with raven eyes greets me.

“Hey, you’re the new girl, right?” She asks. Her tone is friendly and the smile on her face is warm. It's nothing like Richard’s fake practised one.

“Yeah. That’s me,” I reply, relieved to see a friendly face.

“I’m Tessa. Mind if I join you for lunch?” She offers.

“I can show you around because trust me, this place can eat you alive if you are not careful.” She adds as if worried I will turn her down.

I smile, “ I don't know what that's supposed to mean but yeah, I don't mind the company.” I reply.

“ I like you. I think we are going to be the best of friends. We have something in common.” She says amidst laughter.

“ And that is?” I ask, suddenly curious.

She leans closer, whispering. “ Apparently, we don't belong here or at least that's what everyone here believes.”

I let out a nervous laughter.

She is right about one thing, the two of us look out of place at closer inspection.

Tessa takes my hand and leads me towards the cafeteria.

“ The food is good here but it's expensive. Most times, I pack myself something from home. I can't afford the meals here everyday.” She whispers as if letting me in on a secret.

I smile, not knowing what to say.

“ You are Jeremy’s stepsister, right?” Tessa probes. I halt, whipping my head to face her.

“ How do you know that?” I ask, confused. I didn't tell nobody about my relationship with Jeremy. He strictly made it clear that I shouldn't breathe that fact to anyone.

“ Everyone is talking about it. It's no secret.” Tessa answers.

“Word of advice, steer clear of Olivia Banks.”

The warning in her tone and expression is unmistakable.

“Who is that?” I ask with raised brows.

“ The school queen bee. She runs this place as if she owns it. She is also Jeremy’s girlfriend.”

Before I can respond, a hush falls over the cafeteria. The air suddenly changes.

“ Talk of the devil.” Tessa whispers under her breath.

I turn to face the direction she is looking at and that is when I spot her, a blonde flanked between what seems to be her minions.

She is stunning, I have to give that to her.

Her gaze sweeps the room until it lands on me.

I look away, heading to Tessa’s warning. The last thing I want is to attract the attention of someone who sounds psychotic.

When it's our turn, Tessa and I place our orders. It doesn't take long before we are served.

We are on our way to the tables when Olivia suddenly appears before us, her gaze fixated on me.

“Look who is here,” She says, voice dripping with mockery. “ Another ugly duckling pretending to be a swan.” She sneers.

“ This is no place for peasants.”

Her friends snicker.

I feel my anger spike but I hold myself back.

Olivia struts past me but, just as she does, her foot hooks behind mine.

I stumble, my tray tilting and before I can steady it, everything spills. Food splatters across the floor and down my shirt.

The cafeteria erupts in laughter.

Unapologetically, Olivia smirks. “Oops. I guess she is not used to balance or class.”

I stare at her, my hands trembling.

Humiliation burns through me. I don't need no saint to tell me that her intention was to embarrass me.

From the corner of my eyes, I spot Jeremy surrounded by what seems like his buddies. I catch a faint smirk on his face as if amused by my predicament.

Tessa takes my hand and squeezes it.

“ Don't mind her, let's go.”

I allow her to lead me away, unsure if I can hold my tears back if I stay here longer.

Jeremy POV

I watch her leave, food dripping from her uniform and shoulders stiff with embarrassment.

She doesn’t cry. I have to give it to her, she is a strong one. Few survive Olivia’s cruelty.

I shove my hands into my pockets and lean back against the wall, pretending I’m not paying attention. My eyes trail after her anyway.

When they disappear around the corner, only then do I let out the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

Why do I care?

She is just another charity case my father brought home. He doesn't love her mother, nor does he give a flying f**k about his stepdaughter.

Heck, my father has never loved anyone else apart from himself. He has always been a selfish bastard who didn't care if his actions hurt others.

Growing up, I watched him subject my mother to endless pain and torture just because he suspected her of cheating.

His actions drove her to death and never for once did he show remorse.

On the contrary, I became his next subject of torture, always venting his unresolved anger on me.

That’s why I can't let her stick around for long. She doesn't belong here. Not in that house, or this school or around me.

The only thing she will get is pain.

I push off the wall and follow from a distance, careful not to be seen. When they walk into the washroom, I walk off before anyone can notice I was there.

I walk down the hallway, wanting to clear my head when a familiar scent of perfume hits me.

It's strong and screams fake. I don't need to lift my face to know who is approaching.

“Jeremy,” Olivia purrs, blocking my path. Her lips curve into a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.

“Why didn’t you come to sit with me?” I spot that usual possessiveness she spots anytime she is with me. I know how she deals with every lady that tries to get close to me, even if there's nothing between.

I always let her play her game, but not today.

“I wasn’t in the mood.” I say, keeping my voice low and detached.

She tilts her head, looking offended.

“ You were not in the mood to sit with your girlfriend?”

“Not in the mood for drama,” I mutter, brushing past her.

She catches my arm. “You mean that little show back there? Don’t tell me you actually care about the new girl.”

I turn sharply, my voice low and cold. “Stay away from her, Olivia.”

Her eyes widen for a split second.

“What?”

“You heard me. I don't want to see you trying any of your bullshit on her.”

Olivia laughs in annoyance.

“Oh, so you do care. Wow, Jeremy, I didn’t think you liked sweet, innocent types. Are you saying you are tired of me?” Olivia snaps.

I know that is a trap and the answer I give might push Mia into Olivia’s bad book.

My jaw tightens. “Don’t start with that nonsense. You know that's not true.” I say, my voice softening.

Olivia can be ruthless if she wants to.

She steps closer, tracing her long manicured fingers along my chest. “Then prove it.”

Before I can respond, she presses her lips to mine, the kind of kiss meant to claim, not connect.

What she doesn't know is no one can stake their claim on me, unless I want to.

I am about to push her away when I catch Mia at the corner of my eye. She looks stunned, glued on the spot.

I pull Olivia closer, my hands wrapping around her waist as I deepen the kiss. She moans into her mouth. After I am satisfied, I pull away and glare at the little bird still watching.

“ What are you staring at? Want to join?”