Once we entered the building, I scanned the area for the direction to the principal's office to inform them of our arrival at the school and to get our class schedules. Billy was dragging his feet silently beside me as we made our way to the counter. I could hear Billy grumbling repeatedly.

I was just as unenthusiastic as he was about being in this crappy town and school. But instead of wallowing in it all day like him, I preferred to console myself that each day spent here was one day closer to finishing everything and becoming a free and independent woman, without anyone, especially Billy, having to account for me.

"Good morning." I coughed to get the secretary's attention, a woman around 50 who seemed reluctant to work. But she ignored me.

"You're so insignificant that even a mere secretary ignores you." Billy laughed, leaning against a column as he put a cigarette in his mouth to light.

"Maybe if you hit on her, she'll pay attention to us. You know, since you usually like them like that, well into middle age." I replied jokingly, taking the cigarette from his mouth. "I'll take this as compensation for this morning's trouble." I winked at him.

"No way. Get your own cigarettes, redhead." he grumbled, trying to take it back, but I hid it in my cleavage.

"If you want it, you'll have to get it." I smirked, victorious.

"I wouldn't touch that even if I were dead." he replied with a disgusted look.

"Exactly." I laughed, leaning my elbows on the counter and resting my head in my hands.

"Smoking is prohibited on school grounds, miss..."

I turned my head to see that it was the secretary speaking to me.

"Mayfield." I replied. "I'm glad to see you've finally decided to do the job you're paid for. Congratulations!" I responded sarcastically, straightening my back.

"Miss Mayfield?" I nodded in acknowledgment of her statement. "I haven't seen you around here before, so I suppose it's your first day. Do you think this is the way to start at a new school, talking to an adult with such condescension?"

"True, right?" Billy replied before clicking his tongue in disapproval. "I just don't know how to get my little sister to behave like a young lady her age. She's a lost cause." He sighed, draping an arm over my shoulders and pulling me closer. "Luckily, I'm here to set her on the right path."
He winked at the woman and she blushed instantly. I rolled my eyes.

Do all women really become so stupid with just a simple gesture from this idiot? I don't get it.

"You should learn your brother's manners, sweetheart." She reprimanded me and I smiled, complaining. "Give me your enrollment papers and I'll give you your schedules and classrooms."She said, looking serious but giving Billy a flirtatious smile.

"I might not go to bed with her, she's really out of my league if you're interested in knowing. I don't go to bed with everyone, you already know. You are one of the unlucky ones who will never be able to test me." he said quietly once the woman turned away.

"You mean fortunate." I turned my head to look at him over my sunglasses. "And stop saying those things, as little as you like, we are siblings. If anyone hears you say that, they'll send you to a psychologist. Although look..." I smiled while chewing my gum."...keep saying those things to me, maybe they'll lock you up, and I'll lose sight of you for good."

"Whatever you say." I love it when he answers like that, because I know he's speechless. "but back to the point..."

"Don't you get tired of showing off?" I snorted, narrowing my eyes trying to get him to let go, but he squeezed me against his chest.

"No matter how much it hurts you, maybe everyone looks at you, and as the good little bitch you are, I know you love that." he said, getting too close to my face, and I already had my fist ready to hit him in the nose. "But I know how to make a woman die for me on the first try and do whatever I want. They all end up giving in." he whispered gravely in my ear.

I could feel his breath brushing my neck and his lips on my earlobe.

"Get lost, blondie." I muttered, pushing him away to create some distance. "You're a jerk. I hope someone brings you down a peg someday..." I slapped him. "And don't you ever call me a little bitch again, do you hear me?"

"I made you nervous, redhead. Your cheeks are redder than a tomato." he laughed mockingly while rubbing his cheek where I had just slapped him, clearly in pain but refusing to admit it.

"Here you go. Your first class starts in an hour."the secretary interrupted, handing us our schedules. "You won't get lost, you have all your subjects together." she said, handing me the paper but diverting her gaze to Billy. "Have a good day." she added, smiling at him like a fool, and Billy winked at her.

"Here." I said curtly, slamming the schedule sheet against his chest.

"Great, not only do I have to put up with you at home, now I have to endure you in all my classes." he growled.

"It's as amusing for me as it is for you, William." I retorted, stashing my sheet in my backpack and pulling out the cigarette from my cleavage. "So, in this hour before class, stay away from me."

"You won't survive without me by your side. You know that." he smirked, leaning an arm against the wall.

"Precisely what keeps me alive are the small moments I'm away from you." I said, placing the cigarette between my lips. "Goodbye, blondie." I added, flipping him off before turning to leave the building. He simply sighed while laughing ironically.

As I walked down the hallway towards the outside, I noticed many girls watching me and whispering to each other, only to then turn their heads to look in the opposite direction, probably at Billy, trying to figure out the connection between us. I was convinced they'd find out before the first class, the secretary seemed like a gossip and would surely spill our details if any of them asked.

Once outside, I wandered around until I found a patch of grass a bit away from the main building. I lay down there to smoke the cigarette and listen to some music on my Walkman before class. That cigarette tasted like glory because I had snatched it from my dear stepbrother, and he hated sharing his cigarettes with me.

Unfortunately, an hour doesn't provide much time. It flew by, and with only ten minutes left before class started, I decided to head back inside. I still had to find the classroom, so I was actually running a bit tight on time.

I wandered around the interior of the school until I spotted a girl with wavy brown hair and blue eyes. Her outfit made her look like a know-it-all, so I decided to ask her.

"Hey, excuse me." I said, giving her a light tap on the shoulder since she was facing away from me, putting things in her locker. "Do you know where the senior math classroom is?"

"Hi. Sure, second floor, third classroom on the right." She smiled, but not before giving me a slightly puzzled look.

"Thanks." I replied and was about to walk away.

"Wait, wait." she called out, stopping me. "You're the new girl, right? Madeleine?"

"Maddie." I corrected. "Yeah, I'm the new one." I smiled reluctantly.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Nancy Wheeler." She extended her hand, and I had no choice but to shake it.

"Likewise."

"Where's the most beautiful girl in the school?" A brown-haired guy with a perfect, lush mane appeared out of nowhere, grabbing her by the waist.

"You scared me." she smiled, a bit foolishly.

"I missed you." He kissed her on the lips with tremendous sweetness.

"It's only been half an hour, silly." she said, blushing. I was definitely going to vomit from all this mushiness.

"Well, see you around. Nice meeting you." I interrupted. Either that, or they were going to start making out in front of me, and I had no desire to throw up so early in the morning.

"Wait, you can go with him, he has the same class as you." Wheeler stopped me again. "Steve, this is Maddie. Is it Hargrove?" she asked, a bit uncertain.

"I'd rather die than have the same last name as that idiot."I responded, rolling my eyes.

"Mayfield. Maddie Mayfield." I corrected, looking at this Steve guy over my sunglasses.

Honestly, for someone who seemed as prim as Wheeler at first glance, it couldn't be denied that her boyfriend was quite a catch.

"Steve Harrington, nice to meet you." He smiled and shook my hand. "Were you the one who arrived at full speed in that blue Camaro?" he asked, sounding a bit surprised.

"Actually, the idiot Billy was driving." I crossed my arms over my chest and sighed. "One day he's going to run someone over."

"Are you really siblings?" Steve's surprise grew even more.

"Didn't you hear me before, Harrington?" I replied, irritated. "I'd rather die. We're step-siblings, unfortunately for both of us. Long story." I huffed.

"I have to go to class, Steve." Nancy claimed her boyfriend's attention. "See you later." She gave him a goodbye kiss. "See you around, Maddie." She smiled, and I just waved her off.

"Shall we go to class?"

"What choice do I have?" I rolled my eyes. "Let's go."

I followed Steve through the hallways and up the stairs to find our classroom. As we walked, he explained the workings of the school and the extracurricular activities I could join. As we approached our classroom, I noticed Steve tensed up slightly when he saw a redheaded, freckled guy talking to my idiotic brother.

"Is something wrong?" I asked, confused.

"No, nothing. That guy talking to Billy—Tommy..." he looked at me. "...He's not trustworthy, not a good person."

"Figures, since he's the first one to approach Billy after his 'grand entrance.' He looks like a bully, just like him." I looked at Tommy and then at Steve. "But it seems like you know this firsthand. Did he bully you too?"

"No. Actually..." He scratched the back of his neck, looking embarrassed. "Actually, I used to be like them."

"You? A bully?" I couldn't help it, a small laugh escaped me, catching Billy's attention.

"I don't know why you're so surprised." Steve frowned and put his hands on his hips.

"I don't know. I mean, obviously, I just met you and don't know anything about you. But I know a lot about bad boys and bad girls. Many would probably put me in that second group." I smiled. "You don't look like a bully, not at all." I shook my head. "You look more like a sweetheart." I playfully pushed his hair off his forehead.

"Uh... thanks?" He raised an eyebrow. "We should go to class, the teacher is coming." He coughed nervously.

I followed him into the classroom. Sure, he had a girlfriend, and I wasn't going to do anything with him, but he was so attractive that I couldn't resist that innocent touch. I enjoy making guys with such angelic faces nervous. As soon as we entered the room, the teacher motioned for Billy and me to stand in front of the chalkboard, facing all our classmates.

Was she really going to make us do this crap? Like we were in kindergarten, for God's sake.

"Good morning, class. Today, two new students are starting, and I hope you help them get up to speed." She smiled, and everyone looked at us attentively, as if they hadn't done so the moment we arrived at school. "The siblings Billy Hargrove and Madeleine Mayfield."

"Step-siblings." Billy said curtly before winking at a brunette girl in the class.

"Ah..." The teacher replied, somewhat embarrassed.

"Maddie." I corrected her as-well.

"Excuse me?" She looked at me somewhat puzzled.

"Maddie." I repeated. "No one calls me Madeleine."

"How can that be? You love being called that in bed." Billy said without a hint of embarrassment, and several laughs were heard in the classroom.

"Shut up, idiot." I turned to face him. "Do you want me to start talking about what you like in bed? Or the type of girls you go for?" I poked him in the chest with my index finger.

"Ooooooh..." Several students murmured.

"ENOUGH! Everyone be quiet!" The teacher intervened between us. "Sit down, separately." She said. "I will pretend nothing happened, but next time, you'll go to the principal's office, understood?"

We didn't even respond, we went straight to find a seat. I saw Steve's hand raise, signaling that there was a chair next to him. I knew that might get the guy into trouble, and I felt sorry because he really seemed nice. But the idea of annoying Billy seemed even better, so I sat next to him.

Steve helped me during the class so I wouldn't lose track. The truth is, I still found it impossible that this guy could be a bully, he had an angelic smile and seemed like a really nice person. So nice that maybe I shouldn't have sat next to him, now I'd only cause him problems with Billy the gorilla. I knew this because, besides knowing Billy perfectly, I could see how he didn't take his eyes off any of the movements Steve and I made during class.

The class ended, and we had a few minutes of break before heading to the next classroom. Steve showed me where it was before leaving, telling me we'd meet there, I figured he was going to find Nancy for his usual flirting session. I, on the other hand, went to the nearest bathroom to touch up my hair and makeup. Just as I was leaving, Billy ambushed me and cornered me against the wall, gripping my wrists tightly.

"Damn it, Billy." I looked him in the eyes, he seemed really angry. "Let me go right now, idiot."

"Don't play dumb." He pressed his chest against mine so I couldn't escape. "What did I say about the flies?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." I played innocent.

"Stop acting stupid. Do you think I didn't see what you were doing with Harrington?" He laughed almost cynically.

"I see you've already learned his name." I moved my mouth close to his to whisper against his lips, without touching them. "Jealous? I thought he wasn't your type." I laughed, and he let go of one of my wrists to grip the back of my neck.

"Don't mess with me, redhead." He murmured in a deep, throaty voice from anger. "I don't want to see you near that guy again, do you understand?"

"You're not the one to tell me what I should or shouldn't do. Do you understand that?" I confronted him.

"Listen, girl..."

"Let her go, Hargrove." Steve's voice interrupted the conversation.

"Well, well. It looks like your knight in shining armor has come to save you." He laughed, still not releasing my wrist but moving his hand from my neck.

"You're hurting her, let her go." Steve repeated, his voice firm.

"Or what? Are you going to beat me up?" Billy retorted, now directing his dark gaze at Steve.

"If necessary, yes." Steve crossed his arms over his chest. "Let her go."

"Harrington, right?" Billy finally released me and threateningly approached Steve.

"Hasn't anyone taught you that you shouldn't hit women?" Steve puffed out his chest and faced him.

"First, if I were hitting her, believe me, you'd notice." Billy also stepped closer with his chest puffed out and grabbed Steve by the collar. "Second, what I do or don't do with my sister is none of your business, understood, pretty boy?"

"Billy, stop." I intervened, making Billy release Steve.

"Get out of the way, redhead." Billy growled without taking his eyes off Steve.

"Stop it, I'm telling you." I stood in front of him and pushed him in the chest to make him back off. "I don't give a damn who you fight with or who you don't. But it's your first day at school, and if I were you, I wouldn't start a fight here if you want to survive at home." I stared him straight in the eyes. "If you want to put on your tough guy act, at least wait until after class if you don't want to piss off Neil."

"I don't want to see you near him, got it?" He pointed his finger at my face.

"Get lost, Billy." I turned around, but he grabbed my wrist again to pull me closer.

"I said, do you understand me clearly?" He tightened his grip on my wrist near his face.

"Yes, Billy. But get lost." I replied.

I finally managed to get him to let go and head to the classroom. In the years we've been living together, he had never hurt me, he just threatened me by holding my wrists, sometimes even my neck. But he had never squeezed hard enough to actually harm me. This time, though, he had hurt me, and I didn't understand what had crossed his wires.

"Are you okay?" Steve's concerned voice brought me back to reality.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I said seriously.

"Helping you?" He looked confused.

"Don't do that again." I looked at him sternly.

"A thank you would've been nice, you know?" He replied somewhat annoyed.

"I can take care of myself. Thanks." I smiled ironically while rubbing my wrists.

"Maddie..." He approached me to take my hands and look at my wrists. "Are you sure you're okay? It doesn't look like this is the first time this has happened." He looked at me with concern.

"I've told you, I can take care of myself. He didn't hurt me, I'm fine." I pulled my wrists away from his hands roughly.

"I just wanted to help. I know what guys like him are capable of..." He added, somewhat saddened.

"You've known me for just a few hours. Why would you do that?" I said, somewhat annoyed. "I've always taken care of myself, I've never needed anyone."

"Sometimes it's not bad to have a friend who cares about you, you know?" He raised an eyebrow. "Just saying, if you need anything, let me know."

Damn. How could someone be so persistent?

"Just stay away from Billy." I looked him straight in the eyes. "And don't get close to me either. You and I are not friends, Harrington." I spat out without remorse.

"Fine." He responded, somewhat annoyed, raising his hands and looking away. "As you wish. See you later." He left without insisting further.

I'm a woman with character, but I'm not made of stone, it felt pretty bad to treat Steve like that after he had been so kind to me. It probably wouldn't hurt to have a good friend for once, and Steve seemed like the type who could be one. But the problem wasn't him, it was me and my shitty attitude. And not to mention the beating Billy would give him if he found out Steve and I were seeing each other or if he told him my problems. The best thing was to keep him away from me and look for "friends" like me, with few scruples and too much character.