ʚĭɞ

I WAS PUTTING ON MY SHOES WHEN Wesley walks into the room, his own bag swung across his shoulder. I glance at him wondering why he was here, I could see his eyes flickering around the room before staring at me with a blank stare. I do the same as he did and then turned back to him, though, I raised my eyebrow at him, I was curious to know what he was doing here.

I fought the urge to roll my eyes when I watched his eyes run over my clothes, all I wore was my long sleeved black turtle neck, a white t-shirt that had an alien wearing sunglasses over it; I had on black floor length jeans on, the tops were tucked in, and it was finished off with a black belt and my high top converse.

I sigh, "do you need something?" I questioned as I grabbed my backpack and shoved my stuff from last night inside, I wrapped my headphones around my neck and then my phone.

"I was told to check on you, to see if you were ready yet." He grumbles, he had a displeased look upon his normally frowning face.

"Well, as you can see, I'm fine. Besides, you didn't have to come and check, you never do." Scoffing, I rolled my eyes, I had a change of heart, I didn't trust anyone in this no good family, and Primrose; I didn't know what to think of her, she seemed like a suspicious person when she said she knew my mother. I would give these brothers the treatment they give me, I didn't care anymore.

My cold eyes stare into Wesley's ones, "I came to check on you because my mum asked. She said you haven't came out of this room since and Dylan had said you and dad had a few words with one another."

"I don't see why you should care." I state as I looked through my Spotify list, "I don't need anyone in this family's help, especially not your mums. So, go ahead and tell her that she's not my mum, I don't need her." I went to walk passed him but he held me to a stop, his hold made me let out a whimper, it hurt, most likely turn into a bruise later.

"Don't speak to me that way," he glares down at me, "she's only trying to help, she's the only one who actually wants you here, she doesn't have to take care of you, but she is." He gets close to my face, I could feel my anger and annoyance disappearing into one of fear. "Now, stop being a brat and go get your friends, don't forget a coat." He storms off passed me, I wouldn't be wearing a coat, I wouldn't listen to someone like him, but since when did he care?

I rushed down the steps, forgetting to take my meds as I rush out the door and into Marlene's car, the redhead drives off, I could see, Arlo glance at Marlene while I turn and look out the trunk window to see Wesley and Carson staring after the car.

I grumble to myself in the backseat, I chat with Arlo and Marlene, I changed the subject whenever they brought up that I didn't speak to them last night and then I pulled out my small fidget toy to stim, but look out the window and hum to myself.

"So....everything okay?" Arlo questions while I gave a smile and nodded my head, "Jayden. You don't have to lie, I can see you stimming in the backseat."

The car was silent for a moment, I was contemplating before I finally said, "got into an argument with my dad. He's trying to get me to replace my mum with their mum, and Wesley..he seemed different for some reason; that was until I snapped at him." I shrug, "I'm telling you, the whole family is suspicious, their mum knew my mum!"

"Is it possible that maybe you know the family from when you were little?" Marlene asks, "like could you have known Primrose or something?"

"No, I don't remember having friends, I was the loner, the bullied, you guys are my only friends that I've ever had." I express, I nibble on my nail.

"You consider us as friends?" Marlene smiles at me, they looked bright as they asked.

I chuckle, "of course I do. You know my secrets, you got my walls down, you slightly earned my trust." I shrug before looking up shyly at the both of them, "that's what friends do, right?"

"Yeh, it is, bud." Arlo winks as he turns around, the atmosphere in the car changed and eventually I brightened up and the three of us got talking, got a McDonald's like always and got our things before we pulled up and into the school.

We got to school, this scene was different, I was on Arlo's back as he gave me a piggyback, I love piggybacks always loved them, I smiled and laughed at Marlene as they were racing Arlo into the school building. I got off of his back when we entered, we didn't want a teacher to give us into bother, but we each walked to our lockers which was very close to one another's and as I put some things away, I went to go over to their lockers when a cheerleader, with brown hair and brown eyes, gave me a look before giving a smile.

I was confused, perhaps, she was smiling at someone who was next to me at the time and I happened to be in their way. I just shrugged it off and went to my friends as we each went to class.

my step-brothers don't do love

Art class was a pain, we had new desks, and we were made to sit in a group of four. It was another girl, Marlene, Wesley and I. The four of us had been silent the entire time, until Marlene had asked Wesley a question; "so, what's crawled up your ass and died?" They question my step-brother who gave them a cold glare, I shiver, I prayed for Marlene's survival.

He was silent, he looked like he'd swallowed a lemon, the blonde haired girl across from me, shared an awkward glance with me, I just quickly look away.

"I mean- you always look like someone's lit a fire under your chair or something. You give my boy Jayden here a hard time and I don't appreciate that, he's my best friend and I won't allow you and your dickhead brothers to bully him." Marlene says pointing their finger in Wesley's direction, I look at the redhead awestruck, nobodies ever stuck up for me before, I felt honoured....best friend.

"That is none of your business, freak. Don't talk about my brothers when you don't even know them at all, you're just taking words from Jayden's complaints, there's two sides to one story." Wesley says as he runs his charcoal over his paper.

Marlene scoffs, "here that Jay? Two sides to one story, two sides, a reason for bullying? What bullshit we're listening too, huh Jay?" The redhead just grins, "I feel bad, you're stuck with a weird fucking family."

Wesley stopped everything he was doing, he glanced at me, I probably looked lost as the conversation had went from bullying to family issues very quickly. It was Wesley's turn to scoff as he stared down the redhead, "if we're bringing up issues I guess we can bring up that fact your mother has been in and out of jail due to substance abuse, didn't she also try to kill your brother who was taken from your care? Let's not forget your stepdad-" I cut Wesley off.

"That's enough." I glare at Wesley, "your problem is with me, not with Marlene. They are right about one thing, it's bullshit when theirs two sides to bullying, I haven't even done anything, Wesley." It felt weird saying his name out loud, we both stare intently at one another, "you hate me, I don't like you, now we can move on, but never drag something of Marlene's passed ever again when they were only trying to defend me."

I glance at the redhead who raises their hand, they'd asked the teacher if they could leave, Wesley had really struck a nerve, I could see that. I watched as Marlene grabbed their things and left the classroom.

"Are you happy now?" I ask my step-brother, "why do you always have to ruin a mood, honestly; that's something you and your brothers have in common." I mutter as the bell rings, I rushed out and tried to find Marlene but they'd left, and so had Arlo who gave me a text that the redhead wasn't feeling well and he'd went with them.

I groan out loud in annoyance and went to grab my bag, I was tired, mentally and physically, had Wesley just ruined my friendships? My heart ached and my overthinking had washed over me as did the pricks of tears that appeared on my waterline, I jumped when I felt a warm-large hand on my shoulder. "Hey, cutie."

Parker.

"Hey..." I mutter as I shut my locker after grabbing my things, "need something?" I look at him, he looks down at me, he looked concerned.

"You okay? I can come back later?" He was about to go, I didn't want to be alone right now.

"No, I'm alright, I'm good..what's up?" I ask.

He looks unsure but licked his bottom lip and nodded anyways, "can you come to my house after school? I need help with those math equations quickly, due to the test coming up in October."

"Your house...?" I mutter, I looked nervous, his house?

"Yeah, I'll take you there, I'll meet you here at four, okay?" He says giving me a wink, I could only stare, and stammer, I was lost for words but either way I nodded my head dumbfounded as he walked away from my view.

His house..... I'd be going to Parker Santiago's house! Oh fuck.

I went to all my classes distracted, my thoughts were a jumbled mess, I was thinking about Marlene and then Parker, I just sat quietly in the back hoping no teacher would see me not paying attention.

Again, the bell had went and it was time to leave, still not word came from Marlene and Arlo, I grabbed my things from my locker and met up with Parker who took me out to his car, he had a black jeep, it looked nice. He opened the door for me which was very nice of him, I thanked him and sat inside, I grabbed the seatbelt and fastened it. I had a look out the window, I let my eyes wander to the empty car space where Marlene had parked the car earlier this morning. I tried not to think about it and continued to just focus on the fact I was in the car of a popular jock who needed help with his maths.

• • •

Authors Note

Guess who's back with another chapter! This chapter was a whirlwind of emotions, I do hope you guys enjoyed! If you'd like me to put up another character chart I can certainly do that, again if you're confused by his actions; he's autistic. I've noticed a lot of comments questioning his behaviour and characteristics!

I know there hasn't been a lot of age regression but there will be, it's kinda slow burn! Also, yes to answer all the dms I'm probably gonna make Parker his caregiver and his boyfriend, their dynamic will be seen more in later chapters!

Slow updates! But the chapters will keep coming! Please don't ask for me to update I'm very busy with being an 18 year old living her life! Thanks for being very patient and understanding!

Also please go check out my new book 'loving her' it would mean a lot to me if you went and commented on it or even gave it some love and support! Thanks again, guys!

vote, comment & follow!
thanks for reading!
<3