One Night With My Stepbrother Mate

My feet tapped incessantly against the floor as I tried not to choke on the scent of antiseptic coming from the janitor's closet that was cracked open at the other side of the hallway.

My gaze flitted to the classroom door and I resisted the urge to go peep inside where was he?

I don't know how long I stood there but I felt a hand clamp down on my shoulder and I jerked, almost dropping my phone in my startled state. “Jesus!” I exclaimed, whirling around to see Elowen Mirelle standing there, her face set in a grin. “Don't do that!” I almost snapped at her, clutching my chest while I swatted her hand away with a nervous chuckle.

She looked over my shoulder and sighed. “Will you stop following him around during school? You're beginning to make this a whole lot obvious.” She rolled her eyes at me as she hooked her hand around mine and pulled me forward against my protests.

“No Elowen, wait. We're supposed to grab coffee after school so I was just waiting for him ” I quickly said, trying to pull my hand away from hers but her grip was firm.

“Absolutely not.” She shook her head at me, giving me a small smile as she led me to the general hallway where the notice board was. “You can talk to your boyfriend later after school but right now…” She paused and went behind me as she pushed me forward, her hands coming up to cover my eyes.

“What the hell are you doing?” I said, making no effort to remove her hands even as I blindly navigated forward.

She didn't say a word but after a few seconds, she led me to a stop and moved her hands away. “Ta-da!” She grinned, unable to keep happiness out of her voice.

My gaze darted around the mess of papers that had been attached to the board and I frowned, wondering what she was talking about when I suddenly froze oh God.

Holy fuck.

The notice read: Performers for the annual rally prep for rugby and right there among the few cheerleaders selected was my name. I made it. Oh jeez, I was going to dance in front of the whole school! My dream had come true! If this worked out how I wanted it to, it would help boost my popularity, I would be able to get into Professor Hilda Laurent's class and… and

The bell rang, jerking me out of my thoughts just as class doors began to open and students started to fill the hallway with their voices as they all maneuvered their way home.

I still stood there starstruck, looking at the list like maybe if I looked away, it would change then

“Hmph, picking a charity student is way below the school's league.” A very familiar voice sneered behind me and I could feel Elowen shrink beside me.

Slowly, I turned around to see Aurelia Duvain lead cheerleader who clearly didn't want me in the team under the pretense that I was a liability to the team, but everyone secretly knew that she was scared of me taking her position. Not like they would ever let a nobody like me take it though.

Her friends flanked her and I could feel the condescending gazes they gave me, their lips turned downwards in a scowl as they glared openly at me.

“Congratulations on making the list.” I forced a smile while trying not to choke on my words. I was scared of her. No terrified. She could ruin my life if she wanted to. That was the power she held at this school.