A Subtle Shade Of Green

CHAPTER IV:

The smell of grilled meat filled my nostrils by the time I sat in the lounge area near the pool. I thought it'd be just Sage and his circle of friends who were present at the wedding, but it seemed like some students from Eastwood High were also invited. Unfamiliar faces filled my sight and I started to feel like an outcast.

Why am I even here?

I sat alone and watched the whole scene silently until I decided to get myself a bottle of beer. I can't smoke when Sage is around so a little bit of alcohol might help to entertain my boredom. It is funny how I exist at a party that I seemed not to belong to in the first place.

"That goes well with some meat, pretty boy."

A girl I don't know spoke beside me. The first thing I noticed was her purple bob-cut hair. Wearing her denim shorts and a strapless top, the girl is undeniably captivating in the eyes of men, but she appears like material for my next digital art project.

"Eva Kovalska, by the way."

"Hyeonjun Winchester."

Her lips curved into a mischievous smile. "I know."

I find her smile way too disturbing so I ended up gaping at her face. It is no secret that George McKinley remarried and the wedding was even publicly announced. I'm also aware that everyone around here knows that I am the new member of the well-known family.

But I still find it creepy how everyone that comes across with Sage knows me as well. I don't think I'd ever get used to that. If the elite students from Eastwood High know my very existence, would it mean that I have more eyes and ears to be wary of?

"Eva's a lesbian, dude. It's impossible to get your hands on her."

I blinked when Nolan suddenly came between us.

"Unlike you, he wasn't trying to jump on me," Eva snorted. "Is Elle around?"

"Not my dear cousin, Eva."

He warned while taking a plate of grilled meat.

"That's on her. Not yours," she grinned.

"I might as well jump on your sister. How about that?"

Her face turned sour.

"f**k you, Campbell."

Nolan smirked in amusement. "Sure, babe."

I watched Eva fuming in anger as she joined others in the pool. She was certainly pissed off by Nolan's counter-attack and I might be feeling the same if I had a sister on my own. I don't know how Sadie knew about it but I remembered her telling me that this blonde is a playboy despite his harmless charm. He surely dresses like a sheep but he bites like a lion.

"Her temper's bad," I heard him chuckling. "Is she your type?"

"I'll prefer Elle over Eva if I were to say."

With that being said, I began pacing back to my lounge. There was a long period of silence before Nolan made noises behind me, causing other people to eye us with curiosity. I didn't know a mere joke would make him nuts.

"You can't go out with Elle!"

"Why not?"

He squatted before me. "Are you serious? Dude, she's my cousin!"

"What does that have to do with me wanting to date her?"

"We don't date our friends' relatives. That's the rule Sage and I make. I can't believe you stepbrothers are so much alike," he cursed under his breath.

I gaped at him. "Sage like Elle?"

"He used to."

"What about now?"

"Well, I don't know?" He shrugged. "But that's not the point here. Elle is off-limits to anyone close to me. I'm warning you, Winchester."

Heart-shaped face, innocent hazel eyes, slender figure, and a brunette – I guess Sage preferred someone demure. I always thought that he likes bold women. Women who can match his cold demeanor. Women who can tame the beast in him.

I never knew he'd find it in Elle Montgomery, who is to me, a pure girl who can't even handle my nonchalance. Nolan said Sage used to like her but respected the 'bros over hoes' kind of friendship. Does it mean he's seeing anyone new?

I drank my beer in one gulp as I took out a cigarette. "Do you mind?"

I asked Nolan remembering how Sage reacted to it.

"Dude, I weed," he simply said.

"Why are you still here, Nolan?"

"I'm watching you."

"You're missing the fun of the night."

"Better than having you jump on my cousin in my absence."

I blew off a puff of smoke. "How distrusting."

"What do you even like about Elle?"

My eyes landed on where Sage is.

He was with Ryker and some other girls who were playing truth or dare in the pool. Now that he was topless, all I could see is his massive chest, but I immediately tore my eyes off him when he suddenly lifted his gaze in my direction.

The last thing I'd want to do is to meet his burning stare, not now when I'm doing exactly what he said I shouldn't do inside Eastwood High. Their manor is kilometers away from the campus but I wonder if it still makes him furious – to see me smoking right before his eyes.

"Her cold menacing eyes."

"Her what?"

I leaned back. "I won't put a hand on your cousin. So, you can just leave me and enjoy the night."

I'm not even straight, to begin with.

He gave me a long stare. "Looks like I could trust you."

The loud music, chatters, and even the sound of water splashing in the pool – I heard them all but still not enough to shut down the tabs inside my head. Sometimes, the loneliest moments happen when you are in the middle of the crowd. With all these people surrounding me, how can I be so empty?

Maybe I should have just stayed inside my room and rested my thoughts. Maybe I shouldn't have played the role of a person who wants to fit in someone else's world. Maybe I shouldn't have obeyed Mom and just drifted myself into sleep. It is so hard to breathe in a place where you don't belong.

I don't like it here.

I never liked it here.

"Truth or dare?"

Drowsily, I eyed the girl beside Sage. Her red hair is too radiant not to notice. With her flirtatious smile, I know she was a bit of a coquette. Her fingers even grazed his upper arm, inviting some physical touch. My gaze drifted on Sage and he was completely oblivious about it.

"Truth."

"Come on, man!" Ryker smirked knowingly. "You know they're up for a f*****g dare."

"I'll just go with the truth this time."

The side of his lips slightly curved upward as if he knew that refusing to do the dare will make them thirst for more. This man surely knows his game and I do ponder how far he would go playing his cards unnoticed. It is as if like he gets whatever he wants. At his own pace with no one to interfere as if the chess game has already been won even in the beginning.

"You are no fun," Eva complained. "Beat him up for me, Carter."

"How do you feel about having a stepbrother?"

My heart hammered inside my chest as slumber had taken off my system. I didn't see that coming at all. Everyone from the pool shifted their eyes to me. The whole place became so quiet that I could hear crickets. I began to feel burdened by their stares especially when Sage's green eyes found mine.

"Man, that's way too personal. Cut it out," Ryker interfered without humor.

Nolan splashed some water on the guy named Carter. "Way to ruin the game, dude."

"My bad."

"Alright, people! Spin the goddamn bottle again."

They resumed their game after Eva shouted to break the awkward silence but one pair of wintry eyes left stranded in mine. With the influence of alcohol in my body, I managed to meet his bone-chilling gaze.

Was he offended? Did it annoy him? Does it ever feel like a huge burden? Just like a masterpiece that I couldn't comprehend, his glacial expression still appears like a complete mystery to me. There is seem to be no way of figuring out his thoughts. So, why am I even trying?

My phone buzzed inside my pocket, disturbing my wandering thoughts. I sighed in relief and decided to get rid of this stupidity. This war of brotherhood with Sage is just too impossible to win. With the strength left in me, I stood up and paced back inside the house. Who knows this might be Slater again in his capricious state of mind, sending me some nonsense in the middle of the night.

"Ah, shit."

I cursed breathily when I suddenly felt dizzy. The staircase up to the second floor is way too long for me to climb up without stumbling. And it's not helping that my surroundings began to spin around. I almost cracked a laugh with how the way my night might end up into a staircase disaster. How many bottles did I drink?

"You shouldn't have gotten yourself drunk if you are this lightweight."

His familiar deep, baritone voice could freeze the atmosphere. I slowly looked behind me only to see Sage coming my way. His steps slowed down and he stopped right before where I stood. For whatever reason, I straightened up.

Holding the banister on one side, I was able to balance myself and gaped at the most annoying face ever existed on earth. What do I even want from this man? Do I want recognition in this family? Do I want to be accepted as part of McKinley? Do I want him to treat me like a real brother?

Or maybe I just don't want him to know me at all.

Maybe the reason I became so cautious of his existence lately is that he scares me. The subtleties behind his forest eyes every time he looks my way is just too terrifying to bear. I'm afraid that if he starts to mind my presence, I might lose the bit amount of freedom left in my control.

"You," I pointed my finger at him. "You go up first."

His eyes were intensely cold.

"You're drunk."

It didn't even sound like a question but a humorless statement.

"Hah! I guess I am," I huffed as the room started to appear wobbly. "Oh, fuck."

Trying to shake off my drowsiness, I lifted my foot to have my way up. To be seen by Sage in my drunken state is the worst and the way I'm stumbling in every attempt of becoming sober is a nightmare. How could I be so foolish to have taken more than I can handle?

I was still searching for my sanity when my feet were suddenly swept off the stairs. I squeaked in surprise as my stomach churned unpleasantly. With my surroundings turned upside down, I felt like I'm gonna puke.

"H-Hey! What are you-?"

"Stop moving."

The stronghold of his arm at the back of my upper thighs was firm enough to hold me in place but there is no way I'd be comfortable with how I ended up facing the bottom of his spine. I tried to peek at his face but I could only leer at his nape. This is going to be bad!

"Just p-put," I wriggled in his shoulder. "Put me down, you cold-hearted jackass!"

"What did you just call me?"

He swung the door open.

"s**t, b-bathroom! Bathroom!"

"Way too demanding for-"

"Blegh!"

A very discomfiting silence took place after I puked on the floor. My eyes widened seeing the hem of his shorts being tainted with my vomit. The beating of my heart doubled, no, it tripled I could have a heart attack.

"I-I told you t-to put me down," I reasoned despite the shame.

I heard him blow off a heavy sigh as he entered my bathroom and carefully placed me in the tub. He left my side to turn the shower on to wash off the dirt on his shorts before he walked out without saying a single word. I faced palmed in embarrassment, scolding myself mentally.

With all the chaos I created tonight, I just wanna be buried six feet below the ground. I've never puked on anyone before. Why did it have to be Sage of all people? How am I supposed to face him tomorrow, the next day, the rest of the month? This is so humiliating!

"Have you sobered up?"

I still lifted my head upon hearing his voice. Leaning sideways against the doorframe, I watched him crossing his arms just below his chest. Why is he still here? Wasn't he annoyed? Or did he stay to insult my recklessness?

As if reading my mind, he opened his mouth again.

"I had your mess cleaned up."

I evaded his gaze as my cheeks heated. "T-Thanks."

"Go to sleep after you wash up," he said after a while.