Brothers

CHAPTER 3

The faint glow of morning light seeped through my curtains, prying my eyes open against my will. I groaned, burying my face deeper into the pillow, but there was no escaping it. Morning was here, and so was another day of dealing with…him.

Dragging myself out of bed, I stretched until my joints popped, shaking off the last remnants of sleep. My to-do list was already running through my head: get ready, eat something, and survive the day. At least today, I had an exam I was kind of looking forward to—psychology had always been my escape, a little pocket of sanity in the chaos of life.

I grabbed my towel and toiletries, making my way to the bathroom. The tiles were cold under my feet, and the mirror was still slightly foggy.

Turning on the shower, I let the water heat up while I brushed my teeth, the familiar minty flavor waking me up further. Once the steam started filling the bathroom, I stepped into the shower, letting the hot water cascade over me. It was bliss, washing away the grogginess and whatever tension I still carried from yesterday’s drama.

I lathered up with my favorite citrus-scented body wash, the sharp, zesty smell waking me up even more. My hands worked through my hair, scrubbing out the tangles and feeling the suds slide down my skin. As the water rinsed away the soap, I tilted my head back and closed my eyes, savoring the warmth for just a few more moments.

After drying off, I moisturized and grabbed my go-to outfit: a pair of dark-wash jeans and a soft, cream-colored sweater that hugged me just right. I added a simple pair of sneakers—nothing fancy, just comfortable enough to get me through the day.

Then, I reached for the necklace my best friend had given me for my birthday. It was a delicate silver chain with a tiny charm shaped like a star. “For when you need a little light in the darkness,” she had said when she gave it to me. I smiled at the memory as I fastened it around my neck, the cool metal resting against my skin.

Satisfied with my reflection, I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs, already planning out my breakfast. A bowl of cereal and some milk—quick, easy, and exactly what I needed to start the day.

I froze as soon as I stepped into the kitchen, my eyes landing on him. He was leaning casually against the counter, the fridge door still open beside him. In his hand was the gallon of milk, tilted up as he took a long, deliberate swig straight from the bottle.

I narrowed my eyes, my stomach sinking as I realized how little milk was left. Barely enough for a splash, and that was before he started chugging it.

“Nathan,” I said slowly, trying to keep the irritation out of my voice. “Are you seriously drinking straight from the bottle?”

He lowered the milk, licking a stray drop from his lips. “What? It’s just milk.”

“It’s not just milk. It’s breakfast.” I motioned toward the cereal box sitting on the counter. “My breakfast, specifically.”

He followed my gaze to the cereal, then back to the milk in his hand. A slow, infuriating smirk spread across his face. “Oh, you wanted this?”

“Yes, I—”

Before I could finish, he raised the bottle again, tipping it back and draining the last few drops. The sound of the empty bottle sucking in air was like nails on a chalkboard.

I stared, dumbfounded, as he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and set the now-empty gallon on the counter. “Guess you’ll have to find something else,” he said, his smirk widening as he walked past me, brushing my shoulder on his way out.

I clenched my fists, my jaw tightening as I glared at his retreating back. “You f*****g asshole,” I muttered under my breath, seething as I slammed the fridge door shut.

How can someone be so f*****g shameless.

God, I hate him!