I was lazily lying on my stomach on our living room couch on a Saturday evening, with no idea what the cooks on the TV screen were actually doing, since the Advil I took a few minutes ago hadn't started working to resolve my intense stomachache.

"You look utterly miserable. What's wrong?"

Did I forget to mention Caden's home?
Well, yes, he is, and surprisingly, he hasn't brought any damn engine around.

But, of course, he would take advantage of my lowest moment in life and make fun of me.

After the first time we ever tolerated each other, the silent war continued the next day. Caden made sure of it when he added some bleach or whatever to my multicolored dresses in the laundry room, turning them into some weird-looking materials. I didn't even confront him about that. I know he's trying to prove something. Maybe he regrets the nice time we had, maybe it hurt his ego.

You can never know what's going on in Caden's head, though. The guy is a good actor.

I was hoping for some alone time this weekend, like Caden was supposed to be in his room or somewhere else that doesn't involve poking me every thirty seconds.

Rolling my eyes, I mockingly reply, "I'm sure it's your least concern right now."

"What? I'm trying to be generous, stepsister." The arrogance in his tone couldn't be avoided; it makes me want to scream in his face.

"Well, hold your generosity to yourself. Nothing good comes from your heart of stone," I snapped.

"Ouch! I must say, I'm hurt. I thought you were supposed to confide in me." I could sense his footsteps around the area, but my eyes remained fixed on the TV show.

"Confide in you?" I snort, finding it utterly amusing. "You must think too highly of yourself." My eyes involuntarily roll before they find his stupidly good-looking face. "Can you please let me be?" I hiss.

"Hello, mad lady." He waves his free hand ridiculously while slipping into his boots. "You don't have to sweat to get me out; I already have errands to run." He reluctantly shrugs his broad shoulders and begins twisting the doorknob.

"Finally, one of your girlfriends is going to the promised Italian restaurant." I use sarcasm, throwing it in his face.

Sadly, he always feeds the same proverb to those pathetic fangirls of his after taking what he wants. But it's even sadder how they always believe his old-fashioned lie.

"I must say, I'm so honored you could finally see my gentleman side. But I'm sorry, I have to break your heart, Mad. I'm too precious for a date with just anyone."

Asshole. I knew it.

"Yes, I'm sure no one wants a damn machine," I mumble to myself and shut my eyes, hoping I could find peace as soon as the door opens and closes. Unfortunately, he heard my silent words because he faces me wearing a smirk on his face.

Good God.

"You have no idea how much money people spend on sex toys these days, do you?" Okay, that got my eyes popping out. "Of course not, you're still a virgin and sexually illiterate." Wow, that's harsh. It gets my eyes widening with even more terror.

Son of a bitch.

"To get a real active dick with a perfect body like mine and a face as flawless as mine as well is a blessing to your species, Mad. Therefore, humans like you would do anything to get me to fuck them," he finishes, the idiotic grin of self-satisfaction on those beautiful lips, oozing nothing but sarcasm and smugness.

God, how can a person be so much like Caden?

"I'm out. Make sure dinner is ready before I come back, unless your catamenia's flowing, then stay away from my kitchen. I can't imagine having blood around the cooking area," he adds when I don't reply to his usual cruelty.

"You're insane. For your information, I am not going to make you dinner," I object, biting my inner cheek from the disturbing pain of my cramps.

"Ahem... catamenia means blood discharge from your species' uterus, in case you don't know," he smirks fiendishly.

Hoping to appear less embarrassed, I exclaim, "I know what it means, Caden. You're so disgusting."

"So it's positive. You're going through catamenia, that's why you've posed that way and have all the moody attitude. Don't worry, stepsister. I'm so excited you're finally experiencing puberty after eighteen years of childhood. I shall mark today up," he crows with joy as if he should worry about my personal life.

Okay, to make it clear, I've experienced puberty since before our parents got married. Caden only enjoys taunting me about being a child when we're both the same age. Ironic, I know.

"No... I'm not! I just... I meant... I'm not your savant," I stutter, embarrassingly burying my face in the couch.

"You know you can lie all you like, but I can see right through you, Mad," he chuckles and finally opens the goddamn door.

"And you're?" Caden's voice is filled with confusion. But I intend to avoid him, so I stay silent.

"Hello?"

Asher?

I shoot up, dropping my barefoot onto the rug and scurrying down to the entrance door before my dearest stepbrother kicks him out.

"Hey, Asher?" I end up asking. Well, I should because it's almost six, and I know he has a job at some café, which should be busy given the time on a Saturday evening.

"I know you're not expecting me, but I thought maybe we could study together. Look, I grabbed some sushi," Asher quips.

He looks smart and young in his graphical red shirt and brown cargo shorts.

"What? You invited someone?" It takes me a moment to remember Caden's still beside me. He remains impassive as he awaits my response.

Well, I didn't invite Asher, and in my current situation, I would prefer to be alone so I could roll myself on the bare floor until I shrug away the recurring menstrual cramps. But I can't give Caden the satisfaction he wants. I know Caden, and I know he's been looking for a way to humiliate Asher and anyone I consider friends with. "Yes," I say.

"Why didn't I know about this?" There's not a hint of humor on his facial expression.

Oh, daddy!

"Because it's my house, and I can have people come over," I huff.

Caden narrows his eyes at me; they're surprisingly flaring. I should be amused since his exasperation doesn't scare me. "Maybe I haven't made myself clear enough: you don't bring strangers into my house."

"Asher is not a stranger; he's my friend... you sit in the same row with him every weekday. Ring any bells?" Holding Caden's gaze, I shake my head innocently, knowing he can see the fireworks of joy in my eyes as the satisfying feeling of irritating him courses through every pore of my body.

"Maybe I should come back sometime," Asher suggested hesitantly, his eyes shifting between my stepbrother and me.

Caden kept his boiling eyes on me as he directed his words to the timid boy beside us. "Maybe you shouldn't show your face here again if you don't have a death wish."

"What is wrong with you?" I scolded Caden.

"Maddie, I would..."

"You're staying..." I cut off his staring challenge and clutched onto Asher's forearm, dragging him into the apartment.

"Are you sure it's okay?" He whispered. "I can always come back at the right time."

"There's no right time when it comes to Caden. He should accept the reality of our situation. This is also my house, and I wouldn't have my guests bullied by him," I rasped, ignoring the stinging pain in my stomach. "Please, have a seat. I'll get us some orange juice." I forced a miserable smile and headed for the kitchen area, avoiding the two flaming eyes studying me from the still-open entrance door.

"Did you finish your homework?" Asher asked from the living room.

"What homework? I thought we already submitted Professor Graham's project?" I asked confusedly while serving fresh juice from the fridge for Asher and myself.

"Oh yes, I remember you did." Asher giggled uncomfortably. This was because my stubborn stepbrother decided to forfeit whatever errand he was supposed to run and positioned himself right next to Asher on the couch, bringing out a black leather hardcover journal.

I'm convinced he's designed to make my life a living hell.

"What do you mean I did? It's not like you haven't," I laughed slightly as I approached him, handing him a half-full cup.

Knowing Asher, there's no way he would deliberately abandon his homework.

Caden took advantage of the moment and snatched the other cup meant for me.

"Thank you," he nonchalantly uttered, as if he hadn't ambushed my cup of juice.

Asshole.

"Thank you..." Asher beamed. "He extended the submission date, so I decided to wait until the due time," he explained.

"That's smart." I smiled and grabbed a box of sushi before seating myself on the opposite armchair filled with throw pillows.

"Quite boring if you ask me." Caden couldn't resist poking his nose into our business.

Please, God, let today end without me wanting to strangle my stepbrother.

"I saw your first project. You aced it," I ignored him and continued the conversation with a nervous Asher, who barely sipped his drink.

I don't blame him; Caden might be cocky, but he's effortlessly intimidating with his body and the way boys make sure to stay out of his way.

"Talking about the project, my uncle works at a counseling community center a few blocks from here. He mentioned they're hiring sophomore to senior students for volunteer positions, but he was willing to offer me a paid internship. I turned him down because I have some work to finish in the garage, and with my shifts at the café, I just don't have much time."

I was already smiling before Asher finished his statement. I know what you're thinking, but of course, I need a job. I might have a grand sum of money in my account, but it's for my car. You might be thinking I have parents who frequently deposit funds into my account, but I believe college is all about the experience. I want to start with a job. And we are talking about a reputable organization here.

"I don't know if you're interested, but the pay he promised me is quite generous. I know you don't need money. Look at your apartment. But if you do, I can talk to him so you can have my spot instead," he added softly, waving around the elegant place.

"That is sweet, Asher. A job is what I need right now." I cheered.

"What? Really?"

"Of course. Most of my savings are for my car. I need to earn my money and some training along the way. My Dad will be proud. I love to work," I explained further, excited because I didn't see this coming. I had thought about applying for a job, but all I had in mind were small shops around campus to fill my free time, not a counseling center, especially since securing internships at places like that is clearly competitive eveb for seniors. But the skills I'll acquire and the boost it will give to my resume are a good thing. I'd do it even without any bonuses, let alone the fact that there are bonuses, and it's all thanks to Asher.

"Of course you do," scoffed Caden, sarcastically chuckling.

"Shut up, Caden," I scolded him for the hundredth time today.

"What did I say wrong? I kept my mouth shut about your...you know..." he trailed off.

"Don't you have somewhere else to be?" I panicked, interrupting his statement with a scowl on my face.

He can't go talking about my monthly period around Asher.

We're not there yet. Give us at least a semester, we might even end up as roommates. There's no way I'm letting myself be stuck with Caden all the way into sophomore year. For now, I'll entertain the idea that I'm trying. When I eventually go to Dad to complain and ask for my own place to protect myself from Caden, he'll see that I made an effort to compromise. But honestly, expecting Caden to comply is just beyond unrealistic.

"Nah," he smirked. "I'm exactly where I should be," he added, pretending to be interested in whatever was on his phone screen.

Asshole.

Asher and I continued to converse and enjoy our sushi while Caden kept his attention on his phone screen. I felt relaxed and happy chatting with Asher about school and other interesting stuff.

As Mom would say, good things don't last forever.

"Nice place you've got," Caden had to go and invite some guy called Paxton Archer. They've been hanging around school for a while now.

Even as a freshman, Caden was already making friends and acquaintances with juniors and seniors all over the university.

"It would have been if I were alone," he commented when his friend grabbed Asher's sushi box and offered an insincere apology.

Of course, I left out the fact that Paxton is also an asshole. That's why he's friends with my stepbrother.

He might have the look of a GQ magazine cover model, just like the owner of the Center Yorker Kaiser Chandler, an extra-luxurious skyscraper situated ten minutes away from here. But Paxton is one of those prideful jerks who always think they can get away with anything. Yes, just like Kaiser Chandler-prideful, bold, always angry despite the wealth and power he's been blessed with. You know the popular type, attracting every eye he comes across, even though he's taken by some ice queen-a blonde with brains, slender with perfect legs, the high school cheerleader type, walking around in stilettos, driving various German cars, and wearing Italian brands.

"What's wrong with you? You can't just steal someone's food, you know," I spat irritably at Caden's guest.

"That's your stepsister?" Paxton reluctantly jerked his head at me and continued. "She's got the juice, too bad she's a victim of downtown infection."

Wow.

My jaw dropped at his boldness. Caden claims I keep my friends away from this apartment, but this is the kind of company he invites into my home?

"Well, make yourself at home, but be careful with your words and actions," Caden defended me, at least.

"Dude, what?" Paxton asked, confused.

"What's your problem? We're here to watch basketball, and that's all you should be doing," Caden scolded his friend, Paxton.

"Whatever," Paxton miserably stabbed a chopstick into the sushi before shaking his head at Asher. "I hate chopsticks."

"Aisha, it's time to leave. It's almost Mad's curfew," Caden decided to mind his own business.

Aisha seriously?

"Excuse you? And that's a feminine name," I threw at Caden in disbelief.

"I don't care. It's time to sleep," he wore a do-not-try-my-patience look on his face. I wanted to punch the smirk off his gorgeous face.

"You must be insane if you think you can bring some God-knows-what into my house," I motioned to the junior studying me with curious eyes, "and think you can kick out my guest. No, you're delusional." I folded my arms rebelliously.

"Ooo, I'm going to stop you right there, darling. I'm no boy. I could show you if you have any doubts," Paxton retorted, suddenly amused.

Caden cursed and turned to his perverted friend. "Paxton, you don't want me to warn you again."

"My bad," Paxton lifted his hands in surrender and went back to attacking the sushi.

Asher looked pale, sitting between these two jerks from Stanford.

If not for my pride, I would gladly set him free from this horror, hell, myself even.

"Mad, you're going to your bedroom now, unless you want it the hard way," Caden's eyes widened and were filled with dark fury, as if he was on the verge of exploding.

"I'm not going anywhere, and neither is he," I jutted my head at my frozen friend.

"Alexander, I'm sure you don't want any bad blood with me, do you?"

Fucking asshole.

"His name is Asher, you asshole," I grumbled, feeling anger rising in my veins.

"Well, Asher, you better go when you still can walk," Caden threatened, scaring Asher to shoot upright and Paxton to chuckle sardonically.

"Asher, let's go," I led the way.

"Madison..." Asher began, fear evident in his posture.

"Where do you think you're going?" Caden snarled at us.

"To my room," I retorted.

"I don't think I've made myself clear," he lunged for Asher, grasping his index finger and twisting it in an unbelievable direction.

I could hear Asher's shaky breaths. He looked pained.

No, this isn't happening, not again. Caden isn't brutally attacking someone who wants to be my friend.

"Stop, Caden, seriously, stop," I yelled, going crazy at the way he was handling Asher's finger.

And for once, I was angry at Asher for not being the rebellious type. I wished he could punch Caden's nose.

I couldn't tolerate my stepbrother's behavior any longer. He had done this, and worse, to everyone who came closer to me since we were little. It's disturbing and so low of him.

"You're going to your room and staying there like the good girl you are," he bit out each word, his eyes commanding, while he bent Asher's finger further, threatening to break my naive friend.

My panicked eyes watched Asher sweating, wincing in pain from the grip of my idiotic stepbrother.

"You're hurting him," I screamed.

"I could do that to the rest of his fingers," he smiled devilishly, adding more pressure to Asher's left hand entirely.

"Caden, leave him alone."

"I doubt he could make use of these fingers," he taunted, amused.

"Fine, I'll go. Just let him be," I rushed my words and swallowed down the tears after surrendering.

"Cool," he released Asher as if nothing happened.

I could barely look at Caden when he smiled neutrally and led Asher towards the door. "I'll walk you out," he even said.

"I hate you," I sputtered.

I could barely hide the fuming on my face when the door closed.

"Good," he had his regular satisfying smirk fixed on. "Now go to your room and sleep."

I attempted to restrain my anger, but it overwhelmed me. In that moment, I even longed for greater strength, wishing I could have physically struck Caden with my own hands.

However, I chose a different course of action. I swiftly maneuvered past him before he could grasp my intent, rushing through the door and fleeing the apartment.

Fresh air was what I desperately needed.