STEPBROTHER (R-18)

Scarletts P.O.V

The ride home is filled with silence, but your hand rets comfortably in his. Unsaid words don't loom as awfully as you thought they would.

That was something... he always surprises me.

Upon pulling onto your street, you glance at him, a small smile forming on your lips.

"You've surprised me again"

His fingers flex against the wheel, and he casts you a side glance as you squeeze the hand that's not on the wheel.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself"

He stops in front of the house, parking his car, before he releases your hand and turns off the ignition. Sighing, he rubs the back of his neck. You note the tension in his shoulders, but you're not surprised. It was an emotional afternoon.

"Something on your mind?"

He sakes his head, before he pushed open his divers door, and you follow suit, hoping out of the car. You frown, aware he's walking in front of you up to the up to the door, where he stops and grabs the mail, before handing you something with your name on it.

"Hm... whats-"

It dawns of you that its the decision for the early internship opportunity at Skidmore. You stop, aware he's halted with confused eyes on you as you peel open the envelope and pull the letter out. As your eyes begin to scan the contents of it, you swallow.

"What is it?"

"I uh, I got accepted to the early internship program at Skidmore"

"Oh... Wow... Congrats"

You don't feel the overwhelming excitement you assumed you would. Instead, you're alarmed. You frown down at it, before glancing back up at him.

"It would mean I'd have to leave in two weeks"

His face falls, and he places a hand on his hip while he rubs his chin with the other.

"Really?"

You nod, choked up by that truth.

I'd have to leave him even earlier than I wanted too. I really don't think its a good idea.

"I mean, there will be other opportunities..."

"No"

He shakes his head.

"You've wanted this. Don't turn it down on my account. You should be happy that you got in"

"So why don't I feel happy?"

He tilts his head, firming his lips as a knowing expression forms on his face.

He's the reason. But he's the only reason I need.

"Oliver-"

his head, holding up

not get into it

for you, pulling you against him where the letter is crushed between the both of you,

of

there's no humour

"Thanks"

towards the door with a

"Let's go in"

'congrats' fill the room and you're surprised. A bunch of your friends, and some family members litter the room with excited expression on their faces. Your mother moves towards you, wrapping

honey. We're all so proud

"Thanks"

cant believe

to Oliver and

you all in on

you to

with a quick 'hi' to the group

"What's this?"

"Oh, its nothing"

grasp before you have a chance to tuck it away in your pocket, her eyes

Scar! You got accepted into the

mom announces it to the group, before you plaster a smile on

I speak with

food in the kitchen quickly before you manage to pull

"What's going on, Scarlett?"

you announce

her grasp

you'd be

places her

you've been raving about for the

Well, things change.

don't

twists her expression.

"Since when? Since Oliver?"

She shakes her head.

future. Its just a fling. Do not

connection with a person, god knows you didn't have one when I was growing up, otherwise I'd know

they leave your lips, you regret them, but you're too

boy dictate all of your plans, and its going to ruin things

you a your inability to stay the hell

register your mothers hit you. Your hand shoots to your face, cupping the angered skin as she peers

my god... she slapped me. She fucking

agape in shock, as you rub the hot

"Enough"

wraps his arm around your waist, pulling you away from your mother before you have

not the time to do

He's right.

with an array of emotions you cant straighten out. You sigh, stuffing the letter into your pocket, before Oliver steps in your way with his arms crossed

we need to

"Talk?"

off in your head at his tone, and your defence mechanism of

nothing to talk about.

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