Hating, Hurting: A Stepbrother Bully Story

grip so that he was cutting my airway off. I felt a surge of panic as I watched his pupils dilate a fraction as my oxygen supply started to deplete. “Don’t you ever, ever touch what’s mine again.”
He squeezed painfully to emphasize his words before pushing me away, and I fell to the ground, my legs collapsing beneath me.
Next to him, Hans appeared, looking at me briefly before placing a hand on Cole’s arm, placating him. My heart dropped when he turned away without a second glance. What did I get myself into? Who are these people?
A couple of guys and girls snickered as they went past me. I got up, dusted off my skirt and picked up my bag and some scattered books off the ground. Someone helped gather my things and I looked up to see Sarah standing there, a bright red apple in one hand and my books in the other.
“Forget about them,” she said quietly. “They’ll find fresh meat soon.”
I didn’t answer. I wasn’t sure I believed her. She helped me carry my books and we walked quietly together towards the granite building, the skies threatening to blanket us with heavy rain. After handing over my books, she left me at my locker after a squeeze on my shoulder and headed towards her own class.
The day dragged on, and soon it was lunch. I was happy to find Sarah again by my locker, because I couldn’t see myself skipping lunch just because I had nowhere to sit. As we walked down the hallway, I heard a few whistles. Hank walked towards me, flanked by a few guys I didn’t recognize. One of them tugged on my bun, letting my long hair loose. “There, looking less like an uptight virgin and more like the cheerleader we saw yesterday.”
Sarah shoved him away from me hard and gave him the middle finger. “Get lost, you bozo. Leave her alone.”
My heart thudding in my chest, I hoped Hank remembered the threat Cole had leveled at him yesterday. He eyed me up and down like a piece of meat, a sneer cutting across his face, but passed by me and said nothing. I let go of the breath I was holding.
“Some guys can be so revolting,” Sarah said, her lips curled in disgust.
I nodded in agreement. “Hank seems to have quite a few henchmen.” I fished out a hair tie from my bag and hurriedly put my hair up in a loose ponytail, remembering how unruly it was today. I had yet to figure out what to do with my hair in this weather.
The cafeteria was a din of constant chatter and raucous laughter. We weaved our way through the web of tables occupied with the usual groups – the popular kids, the geeks, and the nondescript - and stopped at an unoccupied corner table with trays of half-eaten food on them.
Setting her backpack down, Sarah tilted her chin at the line of people queuing up for food. “You go ahead. I’ll wait here.” She rummaged through her backpack and fished out an apple.
I waited in line and finally managed to grab two cartons of yogurt and some lasagna, and as I headed back to our table I caught sight of an Isaac twin sitting on a bench, surrounded by other aesthetically pleasing people like him. Cole, maybe? But he saw me looking and waved me towards them. Hans.
My gut clenched remembering how the twins had so far made no move to acknowledge my existence in school save for when Cole decided I needed to be put in my place. I lifted my chin and took a deep breath, hoping I wouldn’t regret my decision. Walking to their table briskly, I saw the moment Cole noticed me heading towards them, his jaw tightening and eyes steeling themselves, whereas they appeared bored just before.
“Guys, this is Ella. Ella – Jeremy, Hunter, Sean.” Jeremy was the guy who had attempted to be friendly before, dark-haired and muscular, although leaner than the twins. He gave me a solemn smile, probably remembering my stupid moves in the hallway with Hank.
Hunter had unruly blond hair and a single ear piercing, and looked at me thoughtfully. “She’s your new sister? Damn. I don’t mind hitting that.” It earned him a loud smack on his head from Cole, whose fierce eyes looked back at me loathingly. I quickly looked away, unable to hold his gaze. Sean - who sported the sexy nerd look, with his black hair short on the sides and falling onto his forehead on top, glasses magnifying his intense dark eyes - merely shook his head and continued munching on his burger. I decided I had had enough and gave a small wave and smile before turning to leave the table.
I passed by the cheerleaders’ table and found one of them I recognized from the tryouts giving me a genuine smile. Tasha, I think her name was. I smiled back. Next to her, Monica was examining her nails, pretending she hadn’t noticed me. “Hi, Ella.” Another girl waved. I waved back, wondering if I had made the team. The results were supposed to be out any day now.
Joining Sarah, who by then was polishing off the last of her meager lunch, I plopped down and hurried to assuage my rumbling stomach. The lasagna tasted a bit more like canned tomatoes and less meat and cheese, but was otherwise okay. Sarah tossed me a can of cold coffee and watched my eyes gleam with delight. “Thought you might enjoy that.” I tossed her a carton of yogurt in return.
“Hey guys!”
I watched as Jules sauntered over to the table, camera in hand. “Anything new?”
She smiled slowly. It seemed she took delight in being the first to know things at school. “You made the team.”
My eyebrows must have shot to my forehead in wonder as I looked up at her standing there.
“Bulletin board, just now,” she explained. I guess that explains why they’re being friendly.
My heart leaped,