My Jealous Stepbrother
A NEW FEELING?

The next day, I woke up with my mind a little clearer but still worried about the message and what had happened with Ryan. I knew I needed to talk to someone about all of this, someone I trusted.

I decided to seek the support of my lifelong best friend, Emily. I knew I could trust her to understand what I was going through in this confusing time. I texted her and we agreed to meet at my house, as I felt the need to be somewhere safe and familiar. Even though my instincts were calling for me to escape and get away from Ryan, I couldn't replace the words to refuse her invitation.

With a mixture of nervousness and anticipation, I waited for Emily to arrive. Every minute seemed like an eternity, as my mind filled with mixed thoughts and emotions. How was I going to explain to her what had happened and how I felt about it? I knew Emily would listen to me without judgment, but I still worried about her reaction.

Finally, I heard the doorbell ring and ran to greet her. Emily walked in with a warm smile on her face, radiating her usual positive energy. "Hi, Sam, how are you?" she asked as she gave me a comforting hug.

I sighed and looked into her eyes, replaceing comfort in her presence.

I told her everything that had happened, from the mysterious message to the kiss with Ryan.

Emily's face reflected surprise and concern as my words filled the air. She listened attentively, without interrupting me, and then gave me a comforting hug.

There was a brief tense silence before she spoke.

"Sam, this is serious. You shouldn't take it lightly," she said with a worried look in her eyes. "It could be someone trying to scare you or stalk you."

My thoughts swirled in my head as I considered Emily's words. I felt a shiver run down my spine, reminding me that I couldn't ignore this threat. There was something darker lurking in the shadows, and I needed to face it bravely. "You're right, Emily. I need to replace out who is behind these messages and take steps to protect myself," I replied with determination in my voice.

"That's not what I meant, this all sounds too complicated. I don't want you to take any chances either," Emily said in a soft voice. "Maybe just... you should just ignore the messages," she added, sounding not quite sure of her words. "The most important thing is that you take some time to reflect on your feelings and think about what you really want. I'm not judging you for what has happened, you're my friend and I just want you to be sure of your emotions and make decisions that are best for you."

Her words resonated with me; I knew she would support me through anything. I needed time to reflect, to understand my own feelings and replace clarity in the midst of all this confusion. Maybe I should take her advice, it would be better to forget about those messages.

"Sometimes, the heart plays tricks on us and leads us down unexpected paths," she mentioned softly. "My mom told me that once."

"Thank you, Emily," I said. "I really appreciate your support and advice. I'm going to take some time to think about all of this and try to figure out what I really want."

With the weight of uncertainty still present, I said goodbye to Emily, who didn't seem to want to leave my side, and headed home. I knew the road ahead would not be easy, but I was determined to face it bravely and replace the truth within myself.

As I walked back to my room, my mind kept spinning. I couldn't help but be attracted to Ryan, despite all the reasons why I should stay away from him. But there was also something else at play: the mysterious sender who claimed to be watching me. Who could it be and what did he want from me?

I decided to take extra steps to protect myself. I made sure to change the passwords on my online accounts and reviewed the privacy settings on my social networks. It may not have helped at all, but at least it was something. Meanwhile, my interactions with Ryan became even more tense and fraught with uncertainty. Although I tried to keep my distance, there were moments when our gazes would meet and an inexplicable feeling would arise between us. It was as if there was a deeper, more complicated connection that we couldn't ignore.

A sound interrupted my thoughts, every new message that rang on my phone made me shiver. I thought it would be that unknown number. only this time the sender had a first and last name.

It was Zack.

My hands stopped shaking when I saw his name on the screen. Zack had always been very kind to me, someone I could trust. His presence gave me peace of mind, and I was hopeful that he could clear up all this confusion.

I quickly responded to his message, expressing my relief that it was him and asking what he needed to talk to me about. Just a few minutes later, I received another reply from him.

-Sam, I'm so sorry to worry you. I just wanted to make sure you're okay. I've been hearing rumors and wanted to make sure you're not being bothered. If you need to talk or need help, I'm here for you.

A mixture of confusion and shock invaded my mind. What rumors were being spread about me? Did it have something to do with what was going on with Ryan and the mysterious messages, and why was Zack so concerned about my well- being? However, his kindness and willingness to help me were comforting.

I decided I needed to talk to him in person to thank him and get more information about the rumors he had mentioned. We arranged to meet at a coffee shop the next day, anxious to clear up all my doubts and understand what was going

on.

***

Our meeting spot was Life in Cups, taking advantage of the fact that I was feeling much better from the flu. I was finally completely cured! I got up with a mixture of excitement and nervousness, feeling the need to clear all my doubts and understand what was happening.

When I arrived at the café, I looked for Zack among the tables full of people enjoying their hot drinks. Finally, I saw him sitting in a corner, waiting for me with a comforting smile on his face. We greeted each other and I took a seat. The cozy atmosphere and the aroma of coffee filled the place, bringing some calm to my restlessness. I couldn't help but notice how kind and attentive Zack was, always willing to listen and support me.

"Sam, I'm glad you came," Zack said, breaking the silence. "I've heard some... rumors around school about you and wanted to make sure you're okay. Has something happened that's bothering you?" Rumors? What rumors?