Caught between my bully and my step brother

Chapter 5

" Hey mom," I said as I walked back towards my dorm after what felt like a long day. I hated that. Fridays were my favorite days of the week. Not this week. They made sure of that. After they had left the café, I'd had to rush through what was left of my lunch. My drink was half gone, which annoyed me. I looked forward to my caffeine fix and then my muffin had a bite out of it, my chocolate fix. They couldn't let me have anything.

" Hey Addie, just checking in, how's your week ? " My mom's voice drifted through the phone.

I looked up at the sky. The clouds looked dark, it looked like rain was coming. " All good mom, how was your week ? " I asked her, trying to derail the conversation back to her and away from me. I didn't want to talk about my week. The only thing wrong with my week was them two, and I couldn't speak about them with her.

" Oh, it was good. I have picked up some extra shifts now, with you kids gone and Dean still working full-time, I was getting bored. Dean said I didn't have to we didn't need the money, he could support us. But I was bored, so I have gone to work four days now instead of two. Cathy is happy about the extra help Jade has just had the baby, so it means she can take those two days off to help look after her grandbaby, "mum said. She had stopped working at the bar a long time ago. Now she works at the town's little bakery. Her friend Cathy owns it, mum loved to bake, and she was mostly in the kitchen whipping up a storm of creamy cakes and pastries and chocolate indulgences.

It had been a struggle when mum first got with Dean in our little town. The word spread, mum had become the talk of the town and for a while she was shunned a little. Toby's mum moved into a house on the other side of the town that Dean bought for her, which, to be fair, isn't all that far away, given the town wasn't huge, and it wasn't until she got with Craig that the town really kind of let it go. But Cathy had never judged mom or looked at her any differently. Now mom is back on everyone's favorite list. Funny how people can be so two-faced. She was loved, shunned and then loved again. Our town loved a good scandal and for them that was pretty much anything they could make into one for entertainment.

" That's good mom, you love working at Cathy's, "I said.

She hummed her agreement. " I am going to up what we send you both your allowance starting this week. I may as well give you the money we don't need, as Dean says to people that do "she laughed.

" Mom, you really don't have to do that. What you and Dean send me is enough," I told her, but she wouldn't hear of it.

Dean ran his own construction company and, given he was the only one in our town and the town that was closest to us, he was kept busy. Even if it was odd jobs, it all came through Dean's company and his workforce. They hadn't wanted me and Toby working while studying. They wanted us to concentrate, so they had set up a weekly allowance for us to live off of while we were here. It was more than enough considering you could eat every day in the campus cafeteria, which was free. They only time I needed any money was for toiletries or my weekly visits to the cafe, or now my indulgence for books. I hardly used any of what they did send.

" Nonsense, if you don't use it, save it. One day you will need it, I'm sure. Maybe to put towards your dream of a pediatrician's office hunny " she said cheerfully. I knew I wouldn't win, so I thanked her instead, and we moved on in conversation.

As I was unlocking my door to the dorm, she moved the conversation on from the town's recent gossip about Mr Carp and Miss Jule seemed to be getting closer. People had seen them kissing in his car that ws parked behind the local store. Like, I said nothing stayed secret there, you had to be damn good at sneaking around to get away with anything.

Her next topic was about someone or someones I would rather not talk about, but not doing would raise suspicion.

" How are Toby and Trent doing ? Do you see much of them ? " She asked , I closed the door behind me and leaned against it closing my eyes as I leaned my head back against it.

" I think they're good. I actually only see them in one or two classes besides that no. Campus is a big place " I say hoping that would be that.

But nope, no such luck. " Oh , that's a shame. I was hoping, with you three being the only ones that know each other, you'd see them more "she mused.

" Well, I hang out with Lacey. You'd like her mum. She's funny "I tell her again, trying to get off of the subject of those two.

" I can't wait to meet her when we come pick you up in four weeks. I can't wait to have you both home for a few weeks "she states.

Something came to mind actually while we were on the subject: "Mum, how come I never knew Toby and Trent were coming here ? Even on enrollment day, they traveled together in Toby's care instead of with us. Why was that ? " I asked what had been bugging me.

" Oh, well, the thing is, Toby asked us not to tell you sweetie. He, well, he said that he wanted it to be a surprise that you wouldn't be alone. He said you'd told him you were a little anxious about being there alone, and it would be a surprise for you. Was it ? " She asks.

I was so lost in thought that I asked dumbly "Was what ? " She was quiet for a minute, then she asked.

" A nice surprise ? " She asked almost hesitantly.

My mind screamed no he and I had never had a conversation about myself being anxious, but of course, I couldn't say that. So, I did my best to put on a cheery voice.

" Of course, yes," I stated, and I heard mum let out a relieved breath.

" Oh good, I'm so relieved, because hunny when he said he wanted to go there too, I was happy honestly I know you're quite shy and quiet and, well, you struggle making friends. I thought at least you had a couple of familiar faces. Although Trent didn't nearly get in, I'm glad it worked out in the end that the boy put some real work in to get accepted to that school, and he still has work to do when he gets back. Well, they both do, but those boys have always stuck together, and shared everything. They're practically stuck at the hip, so Dean and I weren't surprised. Well, not about them choosing the same college at least. We were about their choice though, especially Trent. He turned down a full ride they both did and Trent got himself in debt with Dean instead. Obviously, he would have paid for Toby, whatever his choice. He's his son" she went on and on.

My heart was beating hard against my chest. It was hurt about the friend thing. I would make friends, it was them that had stopped it but now my mum believed me weird and socially awkward because of them.

" Mum " I said a little harshly. I was angry and hurt and confused.

" Addie ? " She asked, my tone more than likely surprising her.

" What are you talking about debt with Dean and turning down a full ride and Trent not nearly getting in ? " I asked her.

She paused again. " Oh, Dean paid Trent's tuition. The boys came to him and sat him down with a business plan. They worked all summer for free for him, both of them to earn some of Trent's tuition. Then again, when they come home on breaks for the next three years, they have offered him to be a silent partner in the garage they plan to open when they've done with college and come home. Dean will fund the set-up. Those two will run it, it will all be split into three ways. The town really needs a garage close by. Instead of going over to Gronton because the old man there is getting ready to retire in a few years, it would be a perfect business venture. It's why they are doing advanced mechanics and business studies " she states.

I stand there, my mouth gaped open. " And why did he not nearly get in ? " I asked.

" Well , his grades hunny. They weren't good enough. He had to do summer school around working for Dean. Dean tried to let him off working this summer to concentrate on his grades, but Trent refused. Plus, you know his parents. They weren't exactly thrilled they didn't want to be seen as charity. Plus, you know it's not the best environment. Trent practically raised himself next door. His mum and dad were too busy going to the bar every night. The poor boy had to practically raise himself, they had put no money away for him for college. I swear they single-handedly keep the bar in town open. Lord knows that's where all their money goes, "she huffed.

How did I not know any of that ?

" The full ride ? " I asked.

" Hmmm, they both got football scholarships, they got scouted and picked up by a very good college, most their players go on to become pro. But they said it wasn't what they wanted. Dean was a little disappointed those two on the field were like watching poetry, so Dean says "I frowned. I had always thought them two would ditch our small town and never look back. They were both on the football team they had been since they were young.

" Another reason why his parents were set against it, they saw their cash cow disappear, I suppose, "she said with frustration in her voice.

" Mum listen, I have got to go. I just remembered I have an assignment that needs finishing " I told her. She says her goodbyes and says she will call again in two days.

I didn't have an assignment, but my mind was reeling. Why did they throw away their golden opportunity ?

I lay thinking about it most of the night. By morning, I had decided it was none of my business what they wanted to do. It was their lives. Toby more than likely lied about the whole surprise thing just to keep our parents off of the scent that he was an epic douche bag.