My Beloved Stepbrother

“Okay, I understand. Because Dad really like Mrs. Dixon. So when are you and her getting married?” The boy’s voice almost made Alexa’s heart stop beating.

Her head twisted to the boy sitting uncomfortably across the table from her. Why did he say that? Had he really accepted their parents’ marriage plans willingly?

Seriously!

“Thank you for understanding,” her mother answered with a smile. “We’ve decided that the wedding will take place in two months.”

Her mother’s words invaded her mind again and almost made her lose her mind. Was that the truth? Had her mother been considering this decision for a long time?

“Mom ....” Alexa was about to interrupt, perhaps they could have a quick discussion. About her future stepfather, about the wedding date, or whatever.

“Alexa, he’s a good man. And the right father for you and Rylee,” her mother said as if she didn’t want her decision to be contested by her daughter.

She just bit the bottom of her lip in disappointment. Her hands were clenched tightly on her lap.

That’s why she just looked down with slumped shoulders after glaring at everyone sitting at the same table with her, as if to make sure that they were experiencing the same thing that she was. But they weren’t. It seemed like she was the only one who couldn’t accept the decision and, what was worse, she couldn’t do anything about it.

It had been a long time since her decision hadn’t been important to his mother. Even if it was just a wish, she wished that what happened on this day, or in this place, was just a bad dream, and that she would wake up at last.

But, damn it, this was reality. She was basically always awake. And she couldn’t help but accept everything, preparing her heart for the worst.

When the dinner of the two families came to an end, she looked into the boy’s eyes one last time. Did he really agree to be sisters with Alexa? Or was his decision just an act? Alexa didn’t understand.

To Alexa Kinsey, he was nothing but a never-ending dream. Going further and further away before she got the chance to express her heart. Memorable pieces of dreams that she has had for the past two years. But will she eventually have to erase them?

***

Her cold-stricken feet carried her through the ever-crowded crowds of Soho. Once again, she sighed heavily, wishing the pain in her mind would be carried away into the air. Her eyes were blurry, her vision hazy, her head foggy, her brain too muddled to think about anything at all.

She wanted to scream at the top of his lungs to make the chaos in her head disappear, to be carried out into the free air. However, she didn’t want to risk being perceived as a madman in this public place.

Suddenly, she felt a hard tug on her elbow. Making Alexa Kinsey’s body spin against her will. Before she could fully realize what was happening, a barrage of annoying words rushed at her, as if not giving her a chance to gain full consciousness.

“You’re going to hurt yourself, huh!” he screeched sharply.

The voice that was so familiar to her brain could break through the dark fog frozen inside her head.

Alexa raised her head, and her eyes widened in surprise when she found the man standing in front of her, gripping her elbow tightly. “I’m not going to do anything stupid!”

“Watch where you’re going. If I’m even a little late, you might not stand here in good shape.” He slowly releasing his grip on Alexa’s arm. Truly, Alexa could see the worry in the boy’s eyes.

Alexa snorted. “I wonder, what kind of concern is this?” she asked. Until this moment, her brain could not believe the decision that came out of the boy’s mouth so easily. “The attention of a stepbrother?” She did not hesitate to say sarcastically.

“What do you mean?” The man looked offended.

Rightfully so, he needed to be confronted with reality to realize that his decision had a profound effect on Alexa.

His words had forced Alexa into a family issue that she wanted to avoid.

Before the boy’s brilliant brain could comprehend Alexa’s words, the girl hit him back with the harsh reality. “No, forget it. Because my opinion doesn’t matter,” Alexa said irritably. “My mom didn’t even ask about my opinion. That means my opinion doesn’t matter, or she doesn’t want to hear my opinion.”

“You don’t agree with our parents’ decisions, do you?” he snapped. “Ever since my father got close to your mother, he always seems more energized throughout the day. It’s as if she’s replenished his depleted energy, or filled my father’s empty soul after my mom left.”

“Hey, listen. You know, from what you’ve said, that you’re only thinking about your father. Did you know there are a lot of people who will be involved with your decision?” She wanted to make sure. “Including me!”

The boy’s mouth clamped shut. Perhaps his brain was struggling to come up with an answer.

It seemed that fate had always put them in opposite places. Even at this moment, she didn’t care if her opinion conflicted with this boy again. Because even during high school, they never agreed. Unpleasant conflicts always fill the middle space between them.

In fact, only this boy can give vibrations to her heart. Only he could make the butterflies in Alexa’s stomach fly. Or that she felt excited about going to school, even though her body wasn’t feeling well.

“Alexa, why are you leaving suddenly?” That voice broke the tense atmosphere between her and Alexa. Then when Rylee realized there was a boy standing not far from her sister, she said, “Oh, you’re here too?”

The boy nodded in reply to Rylee’s question. Rylee’s presence loosened Alexa’s shoulders that had tensed up without her realizing.

“Rylee, let’s go!” called her without looking at the boy who was still frozen, as if his feet were planted on the streets of Soho.

“Ok, Alexa!”

She had turned her body around and left him with light steps. Although, tons of weight hung on her back.

Before Rylee did the same, the man had thrown a small nod to her, signaling his departure to follow Alexa.

The man was still standing there. Looking at their backs that were sinking into the sea of people. The pleasant spring air was suddenly stuffy and suffocating. Could time turn back?

As he looked at the girl who was moving away from him in the crowd of Soho, regret filled his mind. He should have thought about her decision, shouldn’t he? But it was already done. The decision had been made, the decision regarding her parents’ marriage.