My Jealous Stepbrother
EXPERT EARLY RISERS

The morning sun was peeking timidly through the window, illuminating the kitchen with its warm glow. I had woken up early, hoping to avoid an awkward encounter with Ryan. I knew I would have to leave in a few hours for arrangements for the upcoming soccer game; this had given me a perfect opportunity to leave unseen but in the meantime enjoy a leisurely, stress-free breakfast. However, fate had other plans for me.

Feeling a slight victory for having avoided Ryan until that moment, his voice echoed behind me. "Would you stop ignoring me?" he questioned me, his tone laden with frustration and then some.

I sighed, remembering that Ryan was always an early riser. How could I have forgotten? Great, I hadn't even finished eating and already I felt like my hunger was gone.

Whether it was vacation season or not, when he was home he woke up before everyone else. His soccer practices were always his priority and it was inevitable to know that getting up early was already a habit for him. "I don't know, can you stop being a pain in the ass?" I replied sarcastically, not turning to face him directly. I wasn't going to let him ruin my breakfast.

"I know I acted like a jerk last night, but I'm responsible for you. If anything happened to you, it would be my fault." A slight trace of guilt and concern seeped into his voice but that wasn't going to convince me.

"Listen, I understand that you feel obligated to take care of me while our parents are away," I said in a cold but firm tone of voice. "But let me remind you that it's not my fault I got sick. And, honestly, it's not like I wish I was with you anyway." My words, laden with disdain and resentment, slipped from my lips as my eyes met his. I could no longer bear his condescending attitude, as if being with me was a burden I had to carry grudgingly. "Until your father returns I am responsible for t.i."

My eyes met his, because it seemed more like an excuse. "Is that all it is?" I asked, my voice tinged with skepticism. I knew Ryan was trying to hide his real motive: his dislike of Zack. There was no need for him to try to trick me. "Well, if that's all..." I mumbled, turning around to head back to my room. At least I was done eating, I just hoped I didn't get indigestion. The plate I'd clean up later, it was just cereal so it's not like I'd have to clean it right away. Before I could get back to my room, Ryan stopped me by gently grabbing my arm. Despite my desire to get away from him, his expression seemed genuinely concerned. "Sam, wait," he said in a soft voice. "It's not just about that, it's just..." Maybe there was more to his attitude than just jealousy.

"Just what?"

I got no answer, was he just trying to make himself look good? And why was he making me doubt my thoughts? I couldn't fall into his trap.

"Ryan, I know I can take care of myself," I replied firmly, looking him straight in the eye. "I don't need you or anyone else." Of course that wasn't true, but I wasn't going to admit it in front of him either. "I don't need your attention," I said, trying to sound nonchalant and pulling him aside to let me pass.

As if fate was trying to mock me I tripped over my own feet; either I was very clumsy or just had lousy luck. Just when I was trying to look more mature!

Before I could feel the ground Ryan had already caught me in his arms, "I can see you don't need my attention, as you say if you weren't sick you wouldn't need me at all," he replied sarcastically trying not to mock but it was obvious that wasn't his forte.

My lips pressed into a thin line as I absorbed his words full of arrogance. "So, according to you, I only deserve your attention when I'm sick. Interesting perspective," I replied in a strained, controlled voice.

I know I was technically just fighting with my own words but I needed to divert my attention away from his strong arms. Was there something wrong with me for having a weakness for jocks? Those well worked out bodies were my downfall. I think that was the only reason I was dating my ex-boyfriend.

Ryan sighed, frustrated by my response. "Do you even have a hobby of fighting with me?" he said with an irritated tone, expressing his annoyance.

I looked him straight in the eye, not giving in to his defiant attitude. "Same here, Ryan. Can't I talk to you for more than five seconds without you constantly being annoying?" I countered.

"You make me look like the bad guy in the story."

"And you're not?" I took a step closer to him.

"I'm not." He came closer too. I was having deja vu, our faces close enough to feel each other's breath. This was too dangerous, it was time to walk away.

"Whatever, I'll go to my room just don't bother me." This time it was me who was going to put a wall between us.

"I wasn't planning to." He seemed to notice my change in attitude. "Besides I have to go out for a while, I'll be right back so don't get in trouble, I'll be back soon" he said as he picked up his backpack from the floor at the front door. "And stay home, you're still not feeling well."

"Aha yes, whatever you say, annoying."

Here was my chance! Stay home? Like I was going to do that it was the perfect time to go see Zack.

As I was changing as fast as I could, my phone vibrated. This time, it wasn't a hate text, but a picture. I opened it without knowing exactly what it was going to show me, I just hoped it wasn't too grotesque an image.

I can't stand the sight of blood, but I would have even preferred it to be that.

The picture looked like it was taken from the kitchen window. There were Ryan and me, hugging! Looking at each other... With love?

This was not good at all!

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