Chapter 3 — Family

Sophia's POV:

I wouldn't be going to school until tomorrow, so that meant I had a full day to get used to everything and everyone.

I met the mysterious Kyle during breakfast. He was sixteen like me. He was cute and funny, and he welcomed me with a big twirl, making me giggle, but Victor snatched me out of his hands, saying he might drop me.

They hardly knew me for a few hours, and they were already being possessive and worried about me.

Maybe having brothers wouldn't be so bad. They gave me a house tour. The boys all had a room of their own beside mine. My mother and stepfather's room was on the second floor.

They had an entertainment room, or a man cave, to be exact. It had a bar, pool table, a plasma TV, and PlayStation set up.

The backyard of the house was enormous and blended in with the forest.

"Just don't go to the forest alone, little sis," Alvin warned me.

I noticed that Alvin might be the oldest because they all listened to him. But they also listened to Victor—even Alvin did what Victor asked, question-free.

I never had any siblings, and so I didn't really understand their dynamics. They had steak for dinner while Mom, who knew I didn't do big chunks of meat, made chicken nuggets for me. It was that, or she'd have to cut the steak for me. I didn't need my mom to cut my food in front of my new stepfather and brothers.

I was kind of embarrassed, eating something different from the rest of them, but it was still better than the other option.

"You don't like steak?" Kyle asked in disbelief.

I just shrugged, avoiding an answer. I ate my dinner in silence while they talked about school and whatnot.

After dinner, I was excused from helping with cleaning and sent to bed so I could rest for tomorrow.

I headed to my room and changed into my own pajamas. I hugged my teddy Mr. Sparkle close and went to sleep.

I was about to sleep when there was a knock on the door. I went to open the door and saw Sammy.

"Uh…just came to say goodnight to my new sister," he said with a blush. He looked adorable, and he was the only little brother I'd ever get, so why not? I gave Sam a hug and a kiss.

I was about to go back to my room when Kyle passed by. He too got a kiss and hug.

"Ohh, do I get to kiss my new sister too?" Adam asked with a smirk while Victor just stood there, smiling at us.

I gave the twins their share of kisses and hugs. And, well, since I'd already hugged everyone, I ran toward Alvin's bedroom. He was surprised to see me and even more shocked when I gave him a hug.

"Apparently, we all get hugs and kisses before bed from now on," Victor said from behind me.

His words made me blush. I just escaped back to my room and went to bed. I slept easily and only woke up to my alarm the next morning.

Now that it was the morning of starting my new school, I realized it would be hard whether I had my new brothers with me or not.

I did my morning routine and then went to pick out my clothes. First impressions were important. I didn't really know what to wear and spent several minutes just searching through my wardrobe.

I decided on my high-waisted jeans with a pink T-shirt and my tennis shoes. I let my white hair down and did my very quick makeup routine: mascara and lip gloss.

I got my backpack and moved to the kitchen. My brothers were all there, having breakfast. My stomach was in too much torment to accept any food, so I just moved my food around, waiting till it was time to go.

"Sophia, eat, baby." Victor was the one to notice I hadn't eaten anything.

"Hmm," I replied, still not feeling like I couldn't eat.

Victor got up and got me a glass of orange juice. Well, at least, I thought I could drink that.

"I'm taking Sophia with me. Adam can drive you two," Victor said before picking my backpack up and offering me a hand.

We went to the garage, and I saw a variety of cars and trucks. Victor skipped them all and went toward a shiny silver motorcycle.

"Ever been on one?" he asked, and I shook my head no.

"All you have to do is hold onto me," he said before getting a helmet. He placed it over my head. It was a little big, and he had to adjust the straps. "I'll need to get you a smaller helmet," he mumbled to himself.

He got on first and then helped me get up behind him, I placed my arms on his sides, but he took both my hands and made me hug him even closer.

He turned the bike on and took off slowly first before adding some speed. I hugged him even closer.

"You scared of the speed?" he asked, slowing down.

"A little," I confessed.

He drove the rest of the way at a slower pace for me. Once we made it to school, he parked his motorcycle and got down.

He helped me onto my feet and took the helmet off. He even fixed my hair for me.

He was looking at me weirdly with a look full of love and care. I just shrugged it off and let him take me toward the office.

"Good morning, Victor," the lady said.

"Good morning. I'm here to get my sister's schedule," he said, and I was grateful. I didn't like talking to strangers.

"Name, sugar?" she asked me, and I mumbled, "Sophia," but it wasn't loud enough.

"Her name is Sophia Nightshade," Victor said, giving me the same last name as theirs instead of my mother's.

She handed him the schedule, and he thanked her before walking us out of the office.