In Love With My Stepbrother

13 years ago Even though school was only ten minutes away on foot from home, either mommy or daddy would always come to pick me up, repeating to me that seven year old girls shouldn't walk home alone. But strangely, none of them came to pick me up so after waiting for more than half an hour, I decided to go by myself. It's not like I didn't remember the way home, but now that I was alone, everyone looked much bigger and scarier. I felt some steps behind me so I tried to speed up, but a hand suddenly grabbed my wrist, stopping me from taking another step. Even though I was frightened, I forced my eyes open open to see the face of the person causing the pain on my wrist. But it wasn't one, it was two. Dean and Sean, twins. They were bullying me for days already, since that stupid mistake I did in my math class. They'd always steal my pencils, or hit me with their notebooks, or grab me from my hair. But I was too scared to tell mommy because I'd have to tell her it started because I made a stupid mistake that made the whole class laugh at my face, and she wanted me to be the best in math. "Where are you going alone today, stupid?" Dean asked, not letting my hand go even though I was trying everything in my power to set free and run away. "Do you want us to send you home?" Sean continued this time and the thought only made me shiver. "No, thanks," I mumbled, tears threatening to fall down my cheeks. "Please let me go," I pleaded this time, but they only smiled to each other, probably enjoying their time. A third hand leaned above Dean's, grabbing it and pushing it away from mine. Everything happened in a fraction of second and I saw Dean in the ground. The handsome boy who looked around ten years old had punched him in the face, and the terrified look in both brothers faces made me realize they'd never again do anything to me. I suddenly recognized him, he was the boy who had moved in my neighborhood just some days ago. Everyone knew them, simply because of the fact his family had brought the big mansion that was empty for years now because of its high price. "If I see you near her once again I'm gonna beat up both of you, do you hear me?" His voice sounded deeper than an usual little boy's would, which made the boys ran away as fast as they could and I swear I'd have been scared too if his unique amber eyes wouldn't hold me warmly as I felt my cheeks wet from my tears. "Are you okay, little one?" He asked softly before cupping my cheeks with his palms and wiping my tears away. In just a second I threw myself in his arms and buried my little face in his chest. "What is your name?" "Rose," I mumbled, still sobbing and holding on him for my dear life. "Alright Rose, let's get you home." ~*~*~*~ 12 years ago This past year mine and Grayson's family had grown so close to the point we would have dinners together once or twice a week. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were the nicest adults I had ever met but of course the one I loved the most was Gray. Since the day he had saved me from those bullies, he'd walked me at school and wait for me everyday, even if it meant he wouldn't play video games after school with his friends. He'd hold my hand, kiss my forehead, buy me sweets and watch anime with me whenever I wanted.  He was my best friend. And I was his only little one. ~*~*~*~ 9 years ago "Vanessa cheated on Michael. Yesterday he found out she had an affair with a doctor at the hospital she worked in and they're divorcing. She has already moved in with her boyfriend across the county," I overheard my mom's voice coming from inside her room, explaining things to my dad I didn't know. But 'divorce' and 'moving away' were enough for me to realize Gray was broken right now. I ran to his house without thinking twice, welcoming myself in only to see uncle Michael sitting in his couch, his face between his hands. It took him awhile to look at me, and I noticed some puffy eyes and bags under them. "How are you?" After debating with myself for some long seconds, I approached him and took his hand on mine. He forced a smile on his face. "I've been better," was his simple, yet desperate answer. "You're here for Grayson, right?" He continued and I nodded silently. "Is he alright?" I softly asked, not wanting to bring more sadness to the man. "He hasn't left his room since yesterday. He doesn't want to see anyone," he informed me. "He won't send me away," I said, trying to sound confident even though I wasn't that sure anymore. I hesitated for a second before knocking in his room's door. "Gray," I called. "Are you in there? It's me, Rose." "I don't wanna talk, Roseanne," he responded and the mere fact that he called me by my full name — something he never did unless he was angry or sad — made me realize how hurt he truly was. I sighed. "It's okay, you don't have to talk. But I wanna see you," I said, but I was losing hope when I didn't hear footsteps on the other side of the door. "Please, I'm worried," I added, and he finally opened the door, to leave me with a clear view of his messy hair and red eyes from probably crying all night long. It hurt me to see him like that; I felt my vision blurry with tears that I hid perfectly. I simply opened my arms to invite him on a hug and he wrapped his around my waist as if he needed that for a long time, burying his face in the crook of my neck as I felt tears watering my shoulder. "It's okay, I'm here." ~*~*~*~ 7 years ago As my mother used to say, these past two years that his mother had left him, Grayson had grown into a sixteen year old rebellious boy and even though he tried to hide this part from me the best he could, I could see it. I could see it in the smell of smoking every time he'd kiss my cheek or give me a hug. I could see it in his all-black outfits, in the beard he was trying and failing to grow, in the worried look on his father's face whenever Gray would go home late after his numerous high school parties, in his bad attitude around everyone but me. He was the same sweet Gray with me, the boy who'd give up parties to spend the night with me watching Naruto, who'd buy me sweets, call me his little one and give me small pink roses, that according to him, looked a lot like me. At the beginning, his mom used to call him once or twice a month but her calls became rarer and rarer, until they vanished entirely. I knew it was still hurting him and as much as he was trying to prove everyone else the opposite, I could read him like an open book.  But I'd be there for him, always. ~*~*~*~ 6 years ago It was my fourteenth birthday and after going out for movies and ice cream with my two best friends, Alyssa and Harper, I made my way home with a big grin on my face, knowing Gray was waiting for me with a big chocolate cake in his hands, getting ready to sing the birthday song to me and hand me his birthday gift, along with a bouquet of pink roses. But as I opened the door, my eyes laid on some ladies who I recognized soon enough as my aunt and some of the cousins of my dad, all dressed in black and some tissues in their hands. Were they crying? Why were they crying? As one of them noticed me and gave me such a pity look, I heard a scream coming from the living room and I knew it belonged to my mom.  My heartbeats increased by the second and I started running towards the screams when my aunt stopped me and gave me a big hug. Her eyes were swollen and tears were running wild through her cheeks. I saw some other ladies, still in black.  Then I saw Grayson, some steps away from me, as if he was scared to approach me. I gave him a questioning look but he looked away and I could swear I saw tears in his eyes. "R-Rose." Aunt Lily's voice trembled as she tried to hold some tears back. "What I'm going to say to you will be extremely hard, but I want you to be strong, okay?" "Where is Dad?" I asked as my hands started to tremble unconscionably and the only thing I wanted was for him to appear in the door and wrap his arms around my tiny body. Then, whatever she had to say, it would be alright. "I'm so sorry, Rose..." "No," I mumbled as I felt a million knifes piercing my body and the room started rotating in my head. "Please no," was the last thing I heard myself saying, before seeing Grayson running towards me to catch my body that was already falling.  ~*~*~*~ 5 years ago After more than one year, the pain of losing my dad had become quite bearable, even though there wasn't a day in my life I didn't miss him. But I guess, people know how to bury the pain inside their heart and move on with their life. Or at least they try to. And I was trying. A really big merit belonged to Grayson, though. As my mom was too busy crying her soul out for losing her dear husband, he was the only one there for me, dragging me out of my room, forcing me to eat and even sleeping with me for the first few weeks after I lost my father. And I honestly didn't know if I'd be able to survive the harsh reality without him. He was my comfort zone, my savior. But I wasn't the only one needing a savior. My mom was too, and hers was none other than uncle Michael, Grayson's dad. When Gray was literally holding me in his arms after I'd wake up from my countless nightmares, mom would be downstairs drinking wine with Michael and thanking him for his company. However, I never expected mom and Michael to prepare a dinner one night, only for us four so they could announce the big news to us; they were dating for awhile now. For my utter and complete surprise, Gray didn't look surprised at all. In fact, by his expression only, he already knew. Had I been so naive to think they were just close friends and nothing more? I wasn't sure about Gray, but I couldn't stop thinking about how weird this all was, coming from our families being friends to our single parents dating each other. But it wasn't only this... I didn't want to admit it to myself, but the fact that me and Gray could never have anything more than what we had, hurt a lot. ~*~*~*~ 4 years ago It was the first day of my high school sophomore year and I was excited. I wasn't a freshman kid anymore, Gray would stop teasing me, hopefully. "Rose!" I heard him shout from outside of my room before opening the door with so much hurry and put an envelope in front of my face, so near to my eyes that I couldn't read it without the letters becoming double. "What is it?" I asked curious since it was rare to see him that excited. "I got accepted! I got accepted in Columbia University! I'll be a lawyer in some years!" He was ready to dance around the room, that's how happy he was. "Oh," was the only thing I could say as I looked away so I could hide my tears from him. I knew it was his dream to study law in New York city and it was selfish for me to hope they wouldn't accept him so he'd stay here, but what could I do? I didn't want him to leave, I couldn't imagine my life without him anymore. "What is it, little one?" He asked worriedly, but I only shook my head to let him know it was nothing, still not being able to see him because of the rebellious tears running wild down my face. "Are you perhaps sad that I'm leaving?" He asked amused and I couldn't hold a tear from escaping anymore, it was too hard.  He chuckled and kissed my tear away, making my whole body tremble with the nearness. I couldn't understand why though, we were always this close to each other. Why couldn't I just continue to love him the way I did years ago, in that pure way that wouldn't make me want to kiss his lips?  "You know we'll keep in contact, right? And I'll come visit you as often as I can. Besides, you'll finish high school and come be my housemate, won't you?" He was trying to lighten me up but the thought of him being two years away from me made some other tears escape my eyes and I hugged him tightly, burying my face in the crook of his neck and trying to register his unique scent on my head as I probably wouldn't have this opportunity again. "It means more than two years from now," I pouted. "So what? We can still live together. I won't be leaving you with some asshole of a housemate." He narrowed his eyes, his protectiveness jumping out of nowhere. I didn't believe a word, though. So many things could change through the time we'd be apart, including his love for me. But my feelings for him could change too. I mean, I was only sixteen, without a doubt I'd move on real quick. ~*~*~*~ 1 year ago Three years passed so fast and I wasn't sure how I found myself walking through the doors of my college as a junior year student. However, it wasn't a prestigious university in New York, LA or Boston. It was a simple, unknown college just half an hour away from my hometown. Even though my mom had Michael, and they were doing just fine together, I couldn't leave her alone, I knew how much she needed me. Besides, it's not like we were that wealthy for me to move to a big city and pay for an expensive college. But I was happy as long as I was studying what I always wanted for, Hospitality Management. Hopefully, soon I'd become an event organizer. I always dreamed of owning a big venue and organizing important events there such as fashion shows, weddings of famous people or any other thing of this kind. As Grayson promised, we had kept in touch these three years by face-timing almost daily, and even though he couldn't visit so often I was glad he kept doing it and didn't forget about me.  Actually I could say he loved me just the same and even though it wasn't the way I wanted to, it was okay for me as long as he was still in my life. And I could say I had moved on from my crush on him, I didn't miss him that much anymore and my head wasn't filled with thoughts of him anymore. At least until the next time we'd contact and things would get messier in my head, like always.  A never ending saga of me trying to run out of love for Grayson, as if it was even possible. ~*~*~*~ 9 months ago I slammed the door behind me and threw myself in my bed, tears threatening to fall but I angrily held them back. He didn't deserve my tears at all. I wouldn't care about him anymore, he wouldn't matter to me anymore. Who was I lying to? I was in this condition only because he wouldn't come for Thanksgiving this year, how was this moving on? But it wasn't my fault, he never missed Thanksgiving before. I couldn't even imagine not celebrating it with him, actually, it was my favorite day of the year only because I knew he'd leave everything important he had and come just to celebrate it with me. And with his father, of course. I opened the window and let the cold wind blow my face, hoping it'd clear my mind and make me feel a slightly bit better. The cellphone ringing interrupted my thoughts and I pressed my lips in a thin line when I read his name on the screen. This is how he was gonna go with this? A simple call? Not even a camera call? I cursed silently before hanging up the phone and throwing my phone in the bed. But it didn't last ten seconds before he called again and I knew he wasn't giving up until I'd answer it. Typical of Grayson. "What do you want?" I asked, harshly. "Hello to you too, little one," he said in and I could hear his chuckle from the other line of the phone as I rolled my eyes, annoyed. He hated when I did it but he wasn't here to see.  Exactly, he wasn't here. He was probably with one of his girlfriends, probably Clara, or Rachel. That thought angered me even more. "Oh, so you remember my existence now? Glad to hear it," I sarcastically commented and I could hear he was amused by how irritated I was, but I couldn't help it. "When was the last time I have forgotten about your existence, quick, remind me?" He continued with the irony and I rolled my eyes, knowing he was right. Yes, he had never forgotten it. Yes, I was happy for it. Yes, I was still angry he didn't come today. "If you hadn't forgotten it you'd come to celebrate Thanksgiving with me instead of your pretty blonde girlfriend," I couldn't stop myself from saying and this time I heard him laughing in a way it did things in my stomach. Oh, how much I missed his laugh. "If you'd stop rolling your eyes and look down the window instead, you'd regret you said that." I felt my heart rate speed up. I was almost scared to see down the street, what if this was some kind of joke? "C'mon, little one, don't you trust me?" A really big smile found its way on my face when I saw him standing there in front of my house, smiling as he winked at me and I felt like I wanted to cry once again, this time with happy tears. I ran down the stairs like crazy before opening the door and run towards him, throwing myself in his arms, my legs around his waist and my arms around his shoulders, clinging into him as if I'd lose him just some seconds later if I didn't hold him the closest I could. He chuckled in my ear before kissing my hair and my cheek. "I've missed you too, little one," he whispered and I felt my whole body in flames. "Your hair look even prettier than in camera," he added, referring to my long hair that were now died in a light, rose pink color that I'd been wanting to do for years now but never found the courage to. As my feet touched the ground again, my body craving for the lost of contact, I asked, "Do I look like an anime character now?" as I grinned and he smiled cheekily. "Looks more like a rose to me," Gray said, before kissing my forehead and I felt goosebumps all over my body once again. "Thank you for coming," I whispered as I reminded myself I had behaved like a little girl just some minutes ago. "Always, little one." ~*~*~*~ 2 months ago It was my twentieth birthday and the sixth anniversary my father's death. I woke up crying after seeing him in my dreams, so I decided to go at the cemetery, alone this time.  Grayson never missed my birthdays before, because he knew I'd stay on my bed and cry all day. He'd always come with me at the cemetery and then take me to a nice restaurant where we'd have pizza and the waiter would come with a big chocolate cake in hands, ordered by him. Even though I was never in a mood to celebrate, I appreciated it a lot. But because of his finals of his master degree, he couldn't come today. Actually he had made up his mind to fail today's exams and come, but after more than an hour of me convincing him, he had finally gave it up. When I returned home from the cemetery, I saw mom with a frame in her hands, watching the picture of the three of us and crying. Even though she was with Michael, and she loved him, I knew there was a special place in her heart for dad that no one could replace. And I was glad for it. I gave her a big hug and after talking about how much we missed dad for some minutes, I heard her saying, "I wanted to talk with you, Rose. It's important." "Of course, what is it, Mom?" I replied. "First of all, Grayson is moving here again. For good."  I immediately paled like I had seen a ghost, my heart not adjusting itself at the news. Gray was coming here. Gray was really coming here! And I didn't know if I should happily-dance or cry at the news. I was moving on. I was finally moving on. How would I be able to do it with him here now? I couldn't go back in longing for him, it was wrong. I had Miles now, my sweet boyfriend. Beside, Gray would never see me that way. And on top of that, my mom and his dad were dating. It was all wrong. I was lost on my shock as I saw mother smiling sympathetically. "He wanted this to be a surprise for you but I guessed you'd pass out so I decided to tell you before instead. He'll work with his dad for the first years so he can make a name for himself."  It actually made sense. Michael was the best lawyer in town and it was understandable Grayson would want to walk in his steps. I smiled, not knowing if I was extremely happy or extremely frightened at the news.  "Now that you know this, I want you to prepare yourself at the other news," she continued. "I don't think they'll hit me more the first ones did," I said but she shook her head. "You're mistaken," she disagreed, so confident that it started to scare me. "Spill it mom." She breathed heavily to prepare herself, before saying, "Me and Michael are getting married in two months!" I froze as I felt the the whole world stop in front of me. Married?! My mom and Grayson's dad were getting married?! "Oh," was the only thing I was able to say, tears burning down my throat. I was happy for her, I truly was. I knew Michael was the right one for her, I had seen the way he looked at her for these past five years. And it was so damn selfish from me to feel like this right now. "Congratulations mom," I mumbled after some seconds, giving her a hug so she couldn't see tears falling down my cheeks. "I know you might feel like the world is changing but it isn't, sweetheart. We're just moving in with them, but everything else is gonna be the same," she tried to comfort me and I nodded once, telling her that everything was alright for me, although it actually wasn't. "You're comfortable with Michael and Grayson loves you like his little sister," as if it wasn't enough, she added. "D-does Gray know?" I muttered. "No. It's gonna be a surprise when he comes home. You shouldn't tell him, either." I swallowed down hard. Oh. So he was really going to be my stepbrother?