Chapter 68

***Chrissy***

~
I can remember very clearly, Dayle carried me to my room. The specters of what we shared last night still linger in my head—I don't understand why it is impossible to forget him. I take a deep breath staring into the large mirror in front of me...
I don't know how to compress the way I feel, is it love or lust or obsession or everything combined?
My phone alerts me of a text message. It's Dayle.
*I'm starving, come round to save a soul?😳*
That's right. I've been thinking a lot ever since if he hadn't accepted me last night—there wouldn't be calm around.
I strut out of my room taking along my backpack.

*
“Good morning, ma'am! Bright as always!” Brenda says to me with a smile and I return the gesture.
“Thanks a lot, Brenda,” I sit directly opposite where Dayle is seated. He's silent except that he's munching his meal. He's staring at me now and then, his signature is the only expression that I can comprehend. “Morning. Dayle.” I say to him. Brenda leaves.
“You are pretty!” He compliments and my face turns rosy. “Are you sure about starting your day? At school? You could take a rest—I’ll figure it out. It's no big deal!”
“Sweet but no, I'm bored around here. You're not going to be home anyway...” I start eating
“We could miss today then—”
“That's thanks but no on my end!” I smile back at him.
“Alright, nerd! I wonder how you do it but it's perfect for you! You're super intelligent!” he adds and I flush instantly. We finish eating as we walk side by side to the car prepared for us. Dom starts in our way and Dayle seems pissed off at that.
“Dayle c’mon, calm down alright?!” I nudge his arm to keep his composure and not get wild. It's not advisable and besides I hate that they are not on good talking terms.
“Morning Mr. Dom,” I start but Dayle furthers to enter the car. I know that he doesn't want to face Dom any time soon but then I don't understand what is the cause of their feud if it's one.
“Morning, little girl! Did you sleep well? Do you like your room’s decor? Is it good enough?” he asks
“They are perfect! Thanks a lot!”
“Okay!” he rubs his hands swiftly against each other and continues. “For some confidential reasons, Bobby and the chauffeur will be driving you both to school, there's a need for security. I hope you understand why and bear with us in good fate?! Extend the news to your brother, he'd listen to you!” he says and I nod. Seriously, why are we being protected like that? What's going on? What has suddenly happened?
“Okay, I'll do just that.”
“Great. Your parents would explain better once they arrive later on!” he adds. I hear Dayle requesting the driver to let him drive instead. I walk over to the car—Dom inclusive.
“Dayle, I'll explain. Just let him, please!” I tell him calmly. He doesn't have intentions to back down but he backs down regardless.
“Dayle, it's for your safety! There's a little problem that needs to undergo investigation and so we have to protect you both at all costs.” Dom deliberates further but Dayle enters and slams the car door to hear less from Dom. Dom is pissed, he exchanges a few words with Bobby. The chauffeur opens the door for me before Bobby joins in and then we drive away.
Dayle is not speaking, he is pissed off. He's constantly ruffling his hair with his fingers from time to time. I place a hand on his thigh as he slowly veers to face me.
“Calm down! He means well—”
“Don’t get... Involved,” he warns me
“I know. I'm not trying to meddle, I'm just...” I lean towards and whisper to him. “You look hot when you get restless! Hot. As. Fuck.”
I move away and he smiles at me, it's a proud smile, it's far better than his frown.
“Stop trying to turn me on, it's working!” he taps my thigh lightly before taking off his hand. I stir up a conversation about the forthcoming examination. I asked him about the University that he's aiming at and he says that whatever I decide is what he’ll decide. I laugh it off, he has to be kidding my ass.

*
My phone starts buzzing due to the notifications on Insta and the blog. I see posts that I'm being tagged along like:
<Welcome back, ChrissHT... What did we miss??😜>
<No wonder @Sexgod has been smiling? How could a brother be SOO effing CARING?! I crave that treatment🥹>
<Are you going to be @ Amber’s party? I hear that it's an X? What about us??😔>
<Am I the only one seeing this? ChrissHT is too hot🔥>
...
If I keep reading through, I'd lose my mind even when I try so hard to recollect it. We are in the cafeteria but sitting next to Ken and Ellen, as always, Molly is leeching on Dayle. She's been all over since 8 o'clock. Holy fuck! I'm not jealous but it sucks, the way she caresses him, she kisses him every two minutes even if he doesn't want to. Inlokm away and let them have their ‘couple time’.
I start drafting a thank you post for my fans, they've been supportive throughout yesterday and today. It's crazy.

<Hi everyone, I'm so thankful for your heartfelt messages, I'm overly strong and back to school! And yes, I'll be at the party—I wish that I could see y'all there but nothing’s bad, we'll hang out @allhemsvillegirlies.❤️😍🙏>

I hit the post with a picture of my friends and me, also tagging them along. Phew!
I heave a sigh of relief.
“You wanted to talk Ken, what was it?” I ask Ken sipping from my juice while he wipes his mouth with the serviette.
“Yes! It's about HIM.” he snaps
“Who's HIM?” I ask with a doubtful stare
I see Max standing by the table, he's here for Ellen. She throws herself around him as they share a swift kiss! How deliriously cute. (I air quote in my head)
“Hey. Chriss. I'm glad you're back! How strong are you right now?” Max asks with a half smile
“202% strong. Evidently!” I tell him with a faint smile and he nods an okay.
“See you at my soccer game on Sunday! Will you make it?” he asks again and I nod a yes. “Great! Okay!” he turns to Ellen. “Let's go, babe!” they stroll out of the cafeteria arm in arm.
“Really? Are you still mad at Max? The guy is fucking sorry for forever!” Ken attacks me while I roll my eyes. I'm not mad at him anymore, I'm just trying to be a better version of myself around him but what is the point? I don't even feel a thing for him anymore. Not one.
“Fuck no, I'm not mad at him. I'm completely over him, not even an ounce of affection. He's now a BROTHER to me!” I slurp on the juice while Ken cracks up.
“Now you brother zoned him? What happened to friend zones? You, my girl, are a dangerous one! I like that!” he teases and we laugh it off. “Do you know what I've noticed about Dayle?”
Fuck, I thought that he'd never bring that up.
“What did you observe?”
“The way he looks at you? He looks at you too much... Not in a brotherly way—”
“Fuck, Ken, where did you get that illusion from? Stop thinking shit!” I tell him off. “Do you think that I'd have something to do with my stepbrother?” I ask but deep down I know that I'm lying. I've had countless things to do with him.
“Fuck, It's an observation! I'm not the only one noticing it, students are beginning to talk—rumors have it!”
“Rumors have it, that's not valid!” I snap defensively
“I know honey, you're not idiotic to fuck your stepbrother!” he says offhandedly, before sipping his drink. That statement hit me hard, I can't even respond to that but I'm doing the opposite of what he thinks. No one will understand.
“He's fucking you with his eyes... Look, I'm fucking confused about this guy! Be honest with me, has he ever... touched you inappropriately?” Ken asks splitting his gazes between Dayle and me.
“Ken drop it, you're not making any sense!”
“He's typing...” Ken says gaping in Dayle’s direction. Suddenly, my phone vibrates. Ken hears it since it has been on the table. Fuck. I'm officially fucked up. “Did he just text you?” Ken turns to me finally. I grab my phone before Ken does which makes him more suspicious. My eyes land on the text. It's from Dayle. Another text enters but I read Dayle’s first.
*Wanna go somewhere?*
“Let me take a look!” Ken demands
“Nope! It's private!” I move away
“Prove it!” Ken demands. I enter Egan’s text instead after deleting Dayle’s. I clear all the history of our conversation instantly.
*Meet me in Class, wanna show you something!*
I read aloud for Ken to hear.
“It's Egan, my boyfriend!” I hand him my phone and he skims through it before giving it back to me. Fuck. That was close.
“Okay! But that can not be a coincidence. When he typed, you received a notification before Egan’s text entered. I can fucking swear that Dayle sent you a text. Chrissy you're not being honest!” he tells me with a firm tone.
“Ken stop concluding shit! What evidence do you have and what sort of thought is that? How could you think that Dayle is hitting on me when we are simply siblings now?” I ask him, I'm picturing Dayle kissing me right now. I'm not being honest, that is a reminder.
“It was the way he was looking at you that's why! I'm a guy and I can tell when a guy likes a girl—he’s doing the same thing, Chriss. I'm not saying you're involved but I'm saying that Dayle likes you. I see it every fucking time!” he tells me with so much emphasis. “I wouldn't say a thing like this if I have never seen shit! I'm looking out for you—you know Dayle—he can get out of control most times!”
My heart starts fidgeting.
“Ken—”
“Swear to me that he's never hit on you! Fucking swear!” Ken demands with a serious look on his face.
“Dayle is a nice guy, he's not what you think!”
I storm out without saying an additional word to him. This is twisted. I bump into someone, it's Dayle. I get startled and thankful at the same time. If it were Egan then I'd be lost for words to explain why I'm startled. I didn't even realize that Dayle had left the cafeteria.
“What did he say to you?”