I made it to the first period on time and slid into my regular seat. I still feel embarrassed under the gazes of people who might have been talking about me.

Asher hasn't arrived yet, and all I am hoping for mentally is for him to come over and accompany me. I never thought that friendship would play such a significant role in my life until now, relying on a boy I only met a few weeks ago.

It's strange, I know.

"Someone woke up early."

I smiled at the familiar tone. I don't have to lift my head to know it's Asher, my only friend.

I believe I mentioned Caden successfully isolating me from everyone while growing up.

"You can imagine," I huffed.

He props his head in his hand and looks at me with concern. "What happened?" he asked.

"Just the usual Caden problem," I exhaustedly replied.

"I'm so sorry, Maddie."

"It's not your fault. I mainly blame destiny. If only I had seen all of this coming before my mom married his father, I would've rebelled against the wedding upfront. But who knew cute boys could be devils?"

I always thought the same, wishing that everything currently happening in my life was just one crazy nightmare. Hoping that a pinch could wake me up, but unfortunately, this world isn't some magical Disney universe.

"It will be okay," he assured me just as Caden's overpowering cologne invaded our conversation. Caden approached and lowered himself into the seat beside me, without uttering a single kind or simple word.

Whatever.

I was suspicious, so I asked Asher to check behind me in case Caden had another sign placed on my back with more humiliating messages, just like the one from a few weeks ago.

"Hey, babe," some girl purred at Caden.

"Move."

When the word registered in my head, I shifted my eyes and met the golden blonde-haired girl wearing a dress that seemed more suited for a stripper. She sassily chewed gum while her deep blue eyes held expectation.

"You mean me?"

"Who does it look like I'm talking to?" she scornfully responded.

"I'm already seated, and I don't want to switch."

"Yeah, I don't care... Now dismiss yourself." She waved her fingers in the air with a touch of witchcraft.

I almost cringed.

"Ashley, be a good girl and find yourself another seat," Caden remarked when no one thought he was paying attention.

"Can't she just find somewhere else? I did your homework; I can take your notes," she offered, her forehead wrinkled.

Wow! This is so sad.

"Do you know her name's Avery, not Ashley?" Asher chuckled in a whisper.

"I noticed," I murmured.

It's not the first time Caden has done this thing where he mixes up names without apologizing.

"She's an economics major and head of the school student council."

"Who would've thought girls like her weren't immune to my stepbrother syndrome?"

"I think girls like her are the first victims," Asher chastised.

He's right, girls like Avery are superficial. All they care about is fame and money, and they would do anything to get it, even if it means doing a freshman's psychology homework. It's pathetic.

Then it occurred to me.

"Wait, why is she here then? I'm sure economics has nothing to do with psychology," I whispered to Asher.

"You can tell," he said, biting back a smile and nodding towards Caden.

"Caden."

Finally, Avery gave up trying and shot me a warning glare before walking out of the lecture room after my discourteous stepbrother ignored her existence, absorbed in his mobile phone instead.

The next two classes went by in the same manner. Caden didn't say a word to me, making sure to avoid any questions or even looking my way.

The waitress came to my table with the frozen yogurt I had ordered.

I used the time to eat and work on Professor Ian's homework when a blue-eyed boy in leather pants slid into the extra seat across from me, interrupting me. "Madison Thaddeus?"

"Who wants to know?" I reluctantly asked.

"Oh, everyone knows," his tone was rather mischievous.

"Wow, didn't know I was that famous."

I kept my eyes on my laptop, mentally wishing him away. I don't need any company right now.

"We're in California, anything is possible."

"Except I don't have any bestselling records or movies."

"You're pretty, that's enough." I sensed him leaning forward, and my eyes reluctantly dragged up to meet him.

"Okay?"

"My name's Gabriel," he grinned, trying so hard to make an impression.

I froze in my position. It's awkward not knowing what to say or do. He knows my name, so what could I offer?

"Can I?" He jerked his head towards my hand.

Before I could understand his intention, he had my hand in his, and his lips were pressed against my knuckles.

Okay. Presumptuous.

"And who's this?" The bark was tougher than any bite.

Of course, it was my obsessed keeper, always making sure I remain isolated in this crowded world where everyone is trying to find their significant other.

I turned to Gabriel and mustered a polite smile. "Please excuse me."

"Of course, take all the time you need." He nodded and sank back into the chair, avoiding Caden's scrutiny.

"She's taking forever. Don't wait, or you'll dry in the process."

Huffing at his ignorance, I grabbed Caden by the arm and pulled him away from the prying eyes that had already turned toward us.

"What's wrong with you?" he scolded me the moment I released him in some secluded corner.

"What's wrong with me?" I let out an exasperated laugh and looked sideways, ensuring we were alone. "What the hell is wrong with you? I'm not the one sabotaging your chances of success."

"Success? You call that success? Letting some jerk eye-fuck you and seduce you with fake sweet words isn't success, Mad. It's dumbness," he grumbled in my face.

"You don't get to lecture me about who I hang out with. Why don't you practice what you preach? But you, yourself, aren't any better. So you have no right to label people who genuinely want to know me. This is college, and I'm going to have the best experience, whether you like it or not. And you're not going to get in my way." I defiantly stared into his enraged eyes.

He took a step back with a frown etched on his face before his usual smirk took over.

"What do you think of yourself? You think you're pretty? That every guy around school wants you? That you'll find true love, finish school together, get married on the coast, and have tiny princes and princesses? Wake up, Mad. Yes, this is college in a messed-up world. It's no fairytale."

His words stung deeper than anything he had said in a while. He often uses my physical appearance to make me feel small, but this? I don't know why it hurts more than before. "I never asked for a fairytale."

"Well, congratulations, because I'm your family, and I'm the only person who would tell you the bitter truth. You're not attractive. You have nothing interesting to offer anyone. Look around you as a reminder of the billions of beautiful women you couldn't compete with. If anyone tells you that you're something different, they're only after what's between your legs, and I assure you they'll disregard you like shit the moment your pathetic self gives in. Is that what you call a college experience?"

"You're... you're so cruel," I murmured, tears blurring my vision.

"The truth hurts like a bitch, Mad. It's the reality of the world we live in." He took a couple of steps back to the table and grabbed my belongings. I didn't make any effort to fight him. I stood weak in my position until he returned and said, "Now you're going home."

We drove back to the apartment in silence after he told me that one of his friends would take care of getting my bike home. I wasn't surprised since almost everyone around here would do anything for my beloved stepbrother.

I was the first to get out of the vehicle as soon as it was parked in the lot.

I dragged myself to the lobby, hoping he would drive away and leave me alone. But that doesn't apply to the relationship or whatever it is that we have between us. Caden is like glue to me, and nothing more. He's just the most painful part of my destiny, if such a thing exists.

As I collapsed onto the couch, exhausted and crushed, which had witnessed Caden with different girls far too often, I tried to suppress my anger. I'm in no position to respond to the disgust welling up inside me after what happened at school. I won't survive if I do. I just need some peace and quiet. But quiet wasn't on my side because Caden walked in, his eyes fixated on me.

"When I applied to Stanford, I wanted to be far away from you. I wanted a new life, a new place that didn't involve you. I wanted to study my preferred major, but just like that, you decided to ruin all those plans I had. Why?"

"Consider yourself lucky." His insolent attitude is something he never cared to tone down when addressing me. He throws insults with every intention of hurting me.

"Is this how it's going to be? You making my life miserable? And for what?" My voice barely carried due to my confusion.

"If that's what it takes." He sauntered into the laundry room, grabbed a clean jacket from the pile, and shrugged into it as he came out.

"Someday I'm going to leave you. Someday I'll be far away from you, somewhere you can't possibly come near. And then all the power you think you have over me will be useless."

"And how fast do you think you can run? Supposing I give you a head start?" He brushed his hair with his fingers, his eyes hooded, appearing pensive.

"Whatever it takes to get away from you."

He stared thoughtfully at me for a full minute before scoffing and turning for the door.
"I'm out."

He must be kidding.

"You can't just bring me back home and make me miss an important class while you get to go back for it," I exasperatedly called after him.

He can't take everything away from me, including my education.

"What are you doing?" he asked when I headed down the hallway toward the elevator.

"I'm going back to school," I announced.

"You don't have your bicycle. No backpack, nothing."

"I'm getting in your car."

"I'm not going back to school, Mad."

"You're lying," I exclaimed, turning around to face him.

"Fuck, Mad. I owe you no explanation. Believe it or not, I'm not going back to school." He yelled.

"Then where the fuck are you going?" I charged toward him until there was barely any space left between us.

Instantly, an amused expression replaced the scowl on his face as he leaned closer, and I could feel his breath on my cheeks.

"What's this now? Keeping an eye on my whereabouts?"

It was just a question, but it took me over a minute to answer. I stood there, only staring into his blinking hazel eyes.

"Is it too much to ask? You practically kidnapped me from school." My voice was soft and small, not how I wanted it to sound.

I'm grateful that the moment was interrupted by the man who lives next door. Caden had to pull away from whatever that was.

Did I mention there are two apartments on our floor?

Well, there are, and Mitch lives next door.

"Hello, kids. Back from school already?" Mitch asked, and we both murmured, "Yes."

Mitch is at least three hundred pounds, and he's always seen with food in his hands. His facial hair is trimmed in the style of Ice Cube.

Mitch is rarely around due to his work schedule. Mom mentioned that he works for a company in Los Angeles. I wonder why he still pays rent if he doesn't come around often.

Caden and I watched the man our parents entrusted us to as he entered the elevator and waved goodbye.

"Just go to your room and play with pencils or something," Caden hissed and took the staircase instead.

So he must think very little of me.