Hating, Hurting: A Stepbrother Bully Story

I muttered under my breath. So far, I hadn’t found anything wonderful about being the Isaac family’s newest addition.

Chapter 5
Ella
“Ella. Elle. It’s getting late, time to wake up.”
My mom’s soft voice penetrated the thick fog of slumber. I shook my head, feeling my sore muscles protest at having to abandon the restful sleep I was getting. I guess I should have stretched more before tryouts yesterday. Or not abandon exercise completely after the move. It wasn’t that I was normally a couch potato. I just wasn’t used to the cold weather yet. Gray Lake was exactly like its name, I found. Days were often sullen with overcast skies, and a sharp chill more often than not permeated the air. If I still had the overactive imagination I had had as a child, I would’ve said the town of fifteen thousand was the perfect setup for a murder mystery. Thankfully, I had grown out of that.
I swung my legs out of the plush queen bed and trudged towards my en suite bathroom. After enjoying a semi-rushed hot shower, I quickly put on the school uniform and an extra-thick pair of black tights and tucked a dark blue sweater into my messenger bag. My hair wasn’t behaving today, so I decided to put it up in a messy bun for now.
My breath caught the moment I remembered I was in Gray Lake and didn’t have my own car. I should really sort that out soon. Feeling significantly heavier on my feet, I opened my bedroom door and peeked out. The hallway was clear. I fingered my bag strap as contemplated skipping breakfast, then half-ran down the stairs when I decided I was too hungry to survive that. The kitchen was empty too, save for some cheesy burritos on the table that made my mouth water. I loved mealtimes – Susan made the best dishes that never failed to excite me. Where was she, anyway?
After taking a double helping, I washed it down with a mug of sweet coffee and looked out the window. I felt my heart sink. The Range Rover was gone, and so was my mom’s Camry. Now how was I supposed to get to school? It looked super-cold outside, with gray clouds overhead and a stiff breeze making the trees sway. At least it’s not raining, I thought with a sigh. I hadn’t yet seen a bus stop in the vicinity of the house. The front gates were about a five-minute walk from where I was, and it would probably rain before I even found myself a bus.
I heard footsteps enter the kitchen and whirled around, heart thudding. Marcus entered, appearing sharp in a crisp suit, deep in thought. He smiled when he saw me. “Still here? Have you had your breakfast yet?”
I nodded. I watched him pour himself some coffee, savoring it with his eyes closed. After a few minutes he smiled at me again, this time looking energized. “I’m every bit as caffeine-driven as I used to be in college. My brain doesn’t work before that first mug. That was delicious.”
He frowned as he took me in. “Did the twins leave you behind?”
They must have.
“Um, I didn’t ask them for a ride this morning.”
“That goes without saying. You guys are headed in the same direction.” He fished in his pocket and produced a set of keys. “There. That’s a spare for Cole’s car.”
My eyes must have popped out of their sockets. “The Audi?”
He looked up from the newspaper he had begun to read. “Yes?”
I swallowed. Would Cole have my head if I drove his car? “Uh, maybe I should ask him first...”
Marcus waved his hand dismissively. “No need. I’m paying for it, so it’s my car, technically.” He tossed me the keys. “Come back before dinner. Your mom and I would like to discuss the wedding preparations.”
I nodded, hyperaware of the buzzing in my ears. My hands shook as I drove the Audi TTS all the way to school, trying to find the perfect balance between crawling at a snail’s pace so I wouldn’t wreck Cole’s car but fast enough so I wouldn’t piss off anyone driving behind me. It was the most luxurious car I had ever driven, which didn’t help with my nerves. A delicious spice-and-mint scent mingled with the expensive aroma of leather, further adding to my apprehension. Cole’s gonna kill me.
I carefully eased the Audi into an empty spot a few rows away from where I saw Hans’ Range Rover parked. Unfortunately, a couple of people were still lounging between the rows of expensive cars. Please let them not be there. Please, oh God of all things holy.
A sharp rap on the car window startled me. I turned to find an expressionless twin. Cole or Hans? Did it matter? According to the hammering organ in my chest, it mattered very much. I could feel my face heat up.
I rolled down the window carefully, just a narrow space so that I could hear him but not enough that he could reach out and throttle me.
“Uh, yes?”
“What do you think you’re doing?”
Cole then?
“Um, I’m going to class?”
Now his perfect eyebrows arched and his mouth twisted into an angry sneer.
“Are you really that dumb? Do I need to ask you again?”
When I didn’t answer, my brain blanking out from my fear, he let out a frustrated breath and gritted out, “Get. Out. Of. My. Car.”
I hurried to grab my stuff from the passenger seat and opened the car door quickly. Too quickly, it seemed, when I heard a howl of pain coming from Cole, who was glaring at me as he rubbed his stomach. Despite the ringing in my ears, my brain managed an Aha! Serves you right! I hid my pleased grin and put the keys onto the car hood and half-ran in my effort to disappear.
“Not so fast.”
His face crowding me, so close that I could see the golden flecks in his dark irises, he placed his hand on my throat, gradually tightening his