INTO MY STEP BROTHER S EMBRACE

FOURTEEN YEARS OLD

IT’S TOO SOON. How can someone who claimed to be madly in love with another person, marry someone else only six months later? Not to mention, making that hellish boy a part of our family. He breathes fire and I swear his eyes change from brown to as black as coal when he’s angry. He scares me, he really does.

Now, I’m supposed to live in this monstrosity of a mansion with him? I’ve got no idea what Mom is thinking. Sure, my new stepdad is loaded, but that’s about all he is. His son is his spawn and these men are a different breed of human. They lack empathy and knowledge of personal space. Part of me thought my parents would be together forever. Even if I heard the arguments and the desperation for a better marriage in their voices. I’m starting to feel naive to think that happily ever afters exist. Then again, I’m only fourteen, so what do I know?

“Penelope,” Mom hollers from down the long stretch of hallway. My door is cracked open just enough to let her words flow into the room.

“Coming,” I yell back. I set my brush down on the new vanity that Richard, my soon-to-be stepdad, bought me. He

purchased everything in this room. Everything is brand new. Pink and white walls, matching bedding, and wall art. Nothing like the room I had back in Portland. I’d give it all up to be back there with Dad—to have my family whole again. My insides prick with pain at the realization that we will never go back to that happy place, because none of us are the same people we were back then.

They’ll tell me it’s not my fault. People fall out of love, blah, blah, blah. It doesn’t make me feel any better, though.

One last look in the mirror, and I’m ready to go to the church where my mom will take a new last name, and I’ll be the outcast in this family.

Just as I step away from the vanity, my door flies open. At first I expect to see Mom, but since it’s not her, I backstepped, almost tripping over the stool behind me. “Go away!” I shout at Blaise. He stands there silent but rooted to the spot, like he just came in here to try and scare me again. He’s got wide eyes and a blank expression. “I’m not scared of you,” I tell him, hoping he doesn’t see through the lie.

Slow, but heavy steps bring him in front of me. Face to face with my new brother. “You should be.” He smiles devilishly. There’s something so dark about this boy.