STEPBROTHER (R-18)

Chapter 48

Scarletts P.O.V

You spend the next six hours in and out of tormented sleep. Every time you close your eyes, Oliver

reappears and begs to stay. Begs you the way you hoped he would at any point during the last week,

but once you've awoken you realise the truth.

Your college dorm isn't as inviting as you once believed it would be. You stare up at the vast building,

devoid of excitement.

"I'll help Kirk carry this big one onto the cart, you just bring up that bag."

Your mom points to the bag of pillows you've secured and nods to you as you saunter back into the

dorm building. No ones around moving their things in besides a few others who you assume have early

internship opportunities or some other cause for moving into their dorm before the actual date.

I'm fucking exhausted

You head towards the elevator, pressing the button only to have the doors open and som tall guy

you've never met stumbles backwards into you while chuckling with his friends.

"Uh, excuse me..."

You side step, glaring at him when he spins around and his sandy blond hair falls in his eyes while he

casts you a sultry grin. He's definitely attractive. In a more boyish, guy next door kind of way, but for a

moment you feel like a normal freshman.

"My bad"

You nod, and clutch your plastic bag to your side as a couple of his friends look at you as well.

"Did I hurt you?"

You shake our head, eyes narrowing slightly as he steps towards you, the tempting scent of honey

wafting from him.

"You new?"

"Yeah"

"I'm Frankie"

He shoves his hands in his pockets and glances at the floor, before biting his lip and smiling as he

glances back up at you.

"I'm Scarlett. I'm a freshman."

"I hope you're near my dorm"

By his teasing grin, you know he's flirting with you. Not in the explicit way Oliver does, but nonetheless.

Well maybe I should flirt back... I have to stop thinking about Oliver. I need to meet people and new

guys.

You laugh awkwardly.

"Scarlett!"

You swallow the lump in your throat, and move slightly to watch your mom waving at you

embarrassingly as Kirk begins pushing the cart with your bed frame.

Well, this is embarrassing

You wave at her before sighing as Frankie narrows his eyes with amusement. He scratches at his chin

before smiling at your mom when she stops next to you.

"Who's this?"

Always so damn nosey.

Just as you open your mouth to introduce him, Frankie introduces himself, holding out his hand.

"I'm Frankie"

"Frankie"

She shakes his outstretched hand, before her interrogating gaze forms and she's probing him with

questions.

"What year are you?"

"Junior"

"What are you studying?"

"Computer science

"Oh, that's nice. Very lucrative field"

"Yeah..."

She nods, and Frankie laughs uncomfortably in the silence that follows.

"So... we should head up"

"Well, maybe you two should exchange numbers in case she need a guide around campus"

"No, no, no"

You reach for your moms arm ad shake your head while chuckling as if she hasn't just completely

embarrassed you.

"Don't listen to her. She oversteps"

"Scar, jeez. Its a good idea"

She leans over and whispers in your ear quickly.

"This ones gonna make good money later on in life"

"Please stop"

You hiss back at her before waving at Frankie as you pull her into the elevator. You're thankful when

the doors close in front of you, and you're alone.

"What the hell mom?"

You scowl at her, and watch as she sighs and fixes some of your hair on your shoulder.

"I'm sorry, okay? I know you're having a hard time with the whole 'Oliver issue' and I thought maybe

some carefree time with some of your peers would do you some good"

"Yeah well, don't force me on them. Damn"

"Well, its not like you're gonna do it yourself. I know you're still heartbroken over Oliver. I know you Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

haven't been sleeping... and quite frankly, he hasn't even doing so good either."

He hasn't?

"What?"

She drags a hand through her hair and shrugs.

"Him and Kirk have been fighting a lot over the phone, he's been short with everyone lately. I know this

is hitting you both, but it was what was best. Oliver is reckless. He dropped out of college, for god

knows what reason... and was arrested. As much 'fun' as you had with him, he wasn't good for your

future"

"But that's just it, mom... it was my future. My choice. Not yours"

As the elevator doors open and she steps out onto your floor, you peer regretfully down the hallway.

And now I have to live with this decision for the rest of my life...