Dear Stepbrother, I want you

tion with Ryder he hasn't showed up in school. Not that I car

od

ng back at the wall clock on the wall ov

0

made my way down the stairs. As expected I met a handwritten

t cook dinner, we are

d I smiled. It's one of those fancy ones I usually beg

would. He had asked for my permission. We actually

he letter o

l

se

w

h

me my stepbrother soon. Mom has mentioned him once or twice

forgetting det

rst, Mom and James are finally engaged and I'll be meeting him.

e pair of matching heels. I FaceTime Lexi to make sure I look okay. I don't want to be overdressed or under; besides

made a reservation for four at 7

the last

e but only then did I realize I didn't know his last name. What a nic

a " I

, she made the

ed without looking away from he

even though I'm su

took some pictures with them making a mental note to forward them to Lexi later. She made me promise

and saw the pairs of e

!" I heard

oks familiar on our first meeting. Sitting beside Jam

e my life hell for

brother. Can my life get any more twisted than it alre

silence I seemed to bring with me since my arrival. I realised I was still sta

just open my mouth now and tell mom? Should I make her call off the engagement because of the rifle b

entwined with Ryder? When I thought I have a year to endure

h class, Sophia" he said

don't ta

s meaning only bot

I can feel her ey

ting her gaze, afraid she'll see the lies in them. I

ely get along once they liv

my water, pouring back t

dn't hear the first time. Horror

se but it's of no use now" she grabbed James hand

hool I realised it's best we move i

h

me then I have a right to be mad at her. For keeping it from me and keeping me in the dark. I looked

he sayin

w my mom's been seeing his dad? Does he hav

that's alarming. I wanted to speak and make an objection but the look on my mom's face tie

om doesn't want an enormous wed

ng for the date of the wedding because wheth

his gaze on me but he looked away after being caught. I wonder what will be going through that mind of his. Is he cool with this? Why isn't he saying anything? Does he pretend to

I ordered anyway. It turns out to be an Italian sal

at your plan is after

ivy league school or something" he shrugged an

you play" mom looks ba

m the qua

ch you play one of th

suddenly feeling nervous and not

on Friday, you shou

ed to reschedule my m

ave to but t

?" James asked the same questi

ever really decided on what I'll do yet. All I

d, we hugged and waved goodbye to my soon to be stepdad and stepbrother. The moment I got into mom's car, my ph

So, steps

tell me before I figure