Chapter 6: Girl Talk

Sophia's POV:

I hated thunderstorms. Always had, and always would. Usually, I slept with my mother whenever there was one, but now that she was married, I couldn't sleep between her and her new husband.

In times like those, I wished I had a Daddy. Someone who would hug me and keep me safe. I went to bed, dreading the night to come. Every time the thunder sounded, I would scream. I tried to cover my mouth so I wouldn't wake up my new brothers.

I even left the light on since I hated the dark too. Around midnight, I heard a knock but knew I was imagining it. No one would come to my room at night. I closed my eyes and tried not to imagine the serial killer coming to end me when I heard my name being called, and I screamed, scared.

It wasn't a serial killer. It was my brother, Victor. How embarrassing was it to have my new stepbrother find out how much of a scaredy-cat I was.

Instead, Victor made me move so he could sleep next to me. I had Mr. Sparkle in my arms. He'd be scared to sleep alone too. I tried to keep him hidden, but Victor pulled him up into my arms and told me to sleep.

I had never slept next to a guy before. The only time I actually hugged a guy was when I said good night to my new stepbrothers. I loved how they were all buffer than me and could hide the whole of me in their bear hugs.

But sleeping next to Victor felt different. I felt safe and very little next to him. I felt my thumb move up to my mouth, and I began to suck on it, a habit of mine while in Little space.

I fell asleep with Victor there, keeping me safe from the thunder. I didn't know how weird it would be to make your stepbrother sleep next to you while you sucked on your thumb and hugged your teddy until I woke in the morning.

He was simply smiling down at me while I blushed as red as a tomato. I removed my thumb from my mouth right away, embarrassed as hell now.

"Good morning, princess," he said, still smiling. Was he making fun of me?

"Huh…morning, Victor," I said, not knowing what to do now.

"Come on. Get up, or we'll be late for school," he said before leaving the room and leaving me to get ready.

I ran out of bed and got dressed so fast, it was a new record. I needed to speak with my mom right away.

I ran up toward her room, only to hear the voice of my other stepbrother scolding me.

"Don't run on the stairs, Sophia," came Alvin's voice.

I slowed down, not wanting another remark. His scolding and yesterday's events made me want to be my Little self even more.

I knocked on the door before going in, not wanting to see anything I shouldn't. I heard the words, "Come in," and ran in. Mom was still in bed. I jumped on top of the bed and hugged her.

"Shh. What's wrong, baby girl?" she asked, moving my hair out of my face.

I didn't know I was crying until she wiped my tears away. Why was I crying? I was just confused and had to let it out.

"Now, tell Mama what's wrong," she said in a voice she knew I couldn't say no to.

"Last night, there was thunder," I told her, and her face softened. She knew I hated it.

"I'm sorry, baby. I left you alone," she said in a sad voice.

"I wasn't alone. Uh…Victor slept next to me last night," I said, blushing.

"Ah, I see…" Mom said.

"Mom, I…it's…ah," I said, lost for words.

"Shh, it's okay. You're a big girl now and all," she said, smiling.

Why was she so okay with that? And what the hell? Eww.

"Mom, he's my brother," I said, disgusted—or at least faking it. Just a little bit.

"Stepbrother," she corrected me with a wink.

"Aren't you supposed to tell me no?" I asked in disbelief at what I had just heard.

She just laughed and shrugged. She knew something I didn't. And I knew from experience she wouldn't tell me until she was ready.

I was going to demand more answers when the door to their bathroom opened, and my stepdad stepped out in just his pajama bottoms. His chest was on full display, and I saw the different tattoos he had there.

But the one that interested me the most was the name of my mother right over his heart.

Anna was written in black ink. It was readable from even far away. I didn't know if that was cute or too much.

"Like what you see, little girl?" Fred asked, and I looked away, embarrassed.

"I never saw so many tattoos. Mom never allowed me to have any," I said in a whining voice.

"Well then, when you are old enough, I'll take you to get one," he said with a laugh.

That was enough embarrassment for one day for me. I skipped out of their room and into the kitchen. We had our breakfast, and Victor offered me another ride on his motorcycle. It was too fun to say no.

When we made it to the school, I saw my new friend Niti in the parking lot. She saw who I was riding with and had the biggest smile on her face.

"So, you and Victor?" she asked the second we moved away from the guys.

"He's my brother," I said in disbelief.

"Stepbrother," Niti replied, saying the same thing my mother said this morning.

"I can't fall in love with my stepbrother," I said, trying to get away from the topic.

"Sure you can. At least he won't have to climb to your window at night," she said, laughing.

I looked at her in disbelief before I broke into laughter, too. Well, she was right. All he had to do was walk through the door.