LILITH

Suri and Quinn were proud and passionate about the sales rate, meanwhile, the Francois sisters were leading a successful business at the car wash and puppies shower in the parking lot of the amusement park.

With all those recreation and fun, not to mention the other entertainments around the theme park, like those standing on their hands and sucking liquor through pipes to access every mind and blow them up or those playing volleyball in our clothing brand, and even Clarke who tried to apologize for a couple of time, I still couldn't find excitement around anything.

This whole idea was for Ava. I wanted to do something memorable for her before I leave here and we only get to see each other for holidays, which are limited on a twelve months calendar.

Ava might have only lived with us for two years, but she was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I still do not understand myself for wanting only her but at least I know that she lit up sparks in me that I never felt before. To say I am going to miss her is an understatement. I know this year would be weird when I leave, which is why I have to keep trying before summer ends. I will show her I could make her happy, and I can be her comfort. Who knows in the little time that's left, I could change her mind? And next year we could be going to the same school and living in the same house near campus? Anything she wants.

There are a lot of customers when one of Ava's annoying friends races over to me. Tori, or Victoria or whatever, she was panicking, panting like she ran a thousand miles.
"I need your help."

My eyes automatically rolled, I proceeded toward some group of people deciding on our t-shirts.

She followed.

"I am serious." She complained.

I halt and face her. We both know there is no way she will ever trick me. She is the only one among the three girls that is fond of teasing people and knows correctly how to throw comebacks like a champ, I will give her credit for that.

"Look I do not have time to play dolls with you."

"This is not a joke. Ava and Evie are in trouble."

"Oh really? I am not a fool, darling. I've played that game a long time ago." I do know every desperate attempt of fighting back, as it has been clear Ava's little bodyguards hadn't been very happy with me all this while.

She blows out a breath, looking at both sides of the canopy like she was being chased.

"You think I am kidding?" Her temper struggled to remain furled.

"What did they do now?" I shake my head derisively.

"They are gonna get hurt. You have to believe me." She was agitated and fidgety. It was awkward.

Don't make me regret this.

"Where are they?"

"I will take you." She offered and my eyes thinned skeptically. "We are wasting time here."

I don't really trust her, it would be better to have backups.

"Suri, Quinn, come with me." I signal at the two girls trying leather jackets on, enjoying the event as I should.

Seeing Quincy was here, I talked him into handling things while we are away. He had been helping for no reason anyway.

"Uhmm... I could..." He stammered when I reached over to him by the exit.

A conning smile and a peck on his cheeks were enough to have him nodding already.

"Great. We would be back before you know it." I winked at him and he smiled adorably.

He's not so bad, he's always agreeable.

"Where are we going?" Quinn moaned as soon as we were exposed to the heatwave out here.

"Do you have to whine about everything?" Tori criticize.

"I swear to God if this is some hideous game you're playing, I would make you swallow bricks and shit them out." I threaten the girl who rolled her eyes at me and increase speed towards the elevator when we were in the lobby.

But all changed when we got on the fifteenth floor, in a quiet hall before a door and Tori said, "Arlen Garrett and some boys have them."

Arlen? That's nonsense.
Why would Arlen have them? Yes, last year he used to like Ava, but...

Shit.

Then it registered in my head that it could have something to do with his fight with Leigh that's all over the internet.

Confused, I shove the door. When it opened, the scene I saw was the most disturbing image I have never thought I will witnesses, provided to someone close to me. Some I care about. Someone that's kind of my responsibility.

What the fuck?

"Ava?" I gasped at first, and Arlen immediately stopped trying to force himself on her.

The scene has a lot of complications and disorganized incidents at the same time. Like why is Tyron getting his ass kicked? Isn't he on the same team?

But none matter, my legs carried me toward my sister, who was helplessly laying on the floor, half naked and bleeding from the head. I didn't even care to process the reason or how she ended up a victim of such violence. I pull out my shirt over my head and covered her exposed body.

She was trembling. I held her close, and she burst into sobs, clasping my arms like I am the only one she could trust.

That's when it all dawned on me, Evie was been restrained. Tyron was probably dominated because he was willing to help Ava. And Ava, he was going to rape her.

Oh, fuck.

I've never felt this fury. I release her and rose to my feet.

"You ASSHOLE." With every strength I felt at the moment, I shoved Arlen. It was forceful. He stumbled back. His jaw tightened. He was nothing like the brother figure I used to see him as.

How dare he?

"I will call the cops. I will end you. I ruin your fucking family. My father will make sure of it."

"Lilith." He tried to reach for me. I yanked away and shoved him again. I could feel the tears stinging my eyes. I don't know if it was the betrayal or the pain of failing Ava, for I know damn well this horror would stick with her for the rest of her life if she isn't strong enough to handle it, and I know the kind of damaged such torment is capable of. I could only sympathize with her.

Arlen was retreating to the wall while I was prying.

"What have you done Arlen? What the fuck?"

"They were going through my stuff." He fumbled.

I scoffed, and the tears left my eyes at the words that came to my lips next.
"You were going to rape her."

"No... What no." He retorted, dissembling confusion when it was written everywhere, even for a dumb person to see.

"Of course, you fucking pervert." I snapped, slapping his chest until he caught my arms and revealed the darkness I'd never known lived in him.

"Why do you care?" He exclaimed in my face. "Is not like she's your real sister."

"You're still talking?" I jerked out of his hold. Shockingly imagining how he could be so unbelievably stupid. "You are not ashamed of yourself?" I sneered, wiping away my tears when I look back at Quinn and Suri, holding out their phones, probably recording everything. They always knew the right thing to do. They knew he can not do anything on camera, it was our safety.

My eyes in passing had noticed that Ava's friends were cleaning her with a towel and that she was now fully wearing my shirt, but she was still sitting on the floor, as she had lost a moderate amount of blood. She shouldn't be rushed to her feet.

"Turn off the camera." Tyron panicked, his face flushed with anger. I back away a step, retaining the upper hand.

"Oh no. That's proof, baby."

His breathing was erratic, his eyes dark.
"You want proof? I will give you a proof." He snatched a phone from the bed, sliding into videos, and then handed it over to me. "Watch." He boldly instructed.

I do not like his confidence and his smugness. My fingers were twitching when I collected the device and my eyes landed on a video on the screen.

Mmm...
Let's just say Ava and Leigh are the evilest hypocrites of all time.

My knees weakened, and my heart puzzles out as my entire inside powdered into bitterness.

Arlen's betrayal hurts, but this? Nothing could be compared to it.

"Your innocent new sister had been screwing your brother. I guess you're left behind. Probably the reason why he is being an asshole to you." Arlen sputtered while my eyes remain glued to my brother romantically cradling our stepsister's face.

Of course, I had been a fool. The fucking signs had been in front of me but I listened to Ava lied and talked about what was black and white when
she's full of shit herself.

The room was quiet, too quiet it crawled on my skin and prickle goosebumps.

When I swallowed the large lump in my throat, my eyes meet a smug Arlen.

"So?" The walls were closing in, but I forced myself to stand my ground.

Arlen blinked at my casual response.

The thing is, there was no way I can sell out my family out here. It wasn't me. Dad didn't raise us to turn our backs on each other in the worst times like this. So I won't start here.

"So? So?" Arlen exhaled ridiculously, swallowing roughly when I tossed back his phone. "Can't you see the damage it could do to your family? Your newlyweds parents? Even Leigh's career... Mostly Leigh's career?" He repeated.

Now he was the one losing it at my nonchalance and relaxed reaction. Dad was right, calmness is the best way to win a nasty war.

"She could be shipped back to her bloody country." He waved over to my plaster saint step-sister who is a damn devil. I want to dig my nails into her neck and squeezed the life out of her.

I didn't do that though, instead, I folded my arms around my chest when Tyron came behind me. My fists were firm, I felt my nails tearing the skin of my palms.

"You will not upload that." Tyron straightforwardly tells Arlen.

"Oh, I will... Ass eater." Arlen's smirked at his friends before his eyes came back to me. "You see Lilith, you're like a little sister to me. So of course, you're not in this circle of my plan. I have made sure of it. I won't hurt you as your brother had done. As they both did." He beckons at Ava again.

I couldn't look at her, and the more I stood there, listening to Arlen, it was cracking my bleeding heart.

"You deserve better. You are always looking out for everyone in the family, and where does it get you?" He taunted. "You're always left behind. It's time you grow a backbone and stand back and watch God do the work of you."

"This isn't God doing. This is all you." Ava's friend angrily spat from behind me.

Arlen only chuckled like a villain and stopped abruptly when he brought back his concentration on me.

"Lilith, think about it." His fingers reached my face and Tyron shoved him back.

"You would not dare."

"Oh Tyron, why are you still here?" Arlen rolled his eyes like he was exhausted.

He was never this idiotic.

I cleared my throat and rearranged my composure next to Tyron.

"I do not know what this war between you are Leigh is..." I didn't finish when Arlen interjected, "Her... It's all her." He claimed.

My lip shrugged in disagreement. He could be a monster, but I was a predator.

"No Arlen... It's just everything that Leigh has and you lacked." I smirked. My voice was a composure, bullying whisper. "The looks, the grade, the girl, the siblings, the love, the family, the dignity, the guts, and the balls. Are you that desperate?" I feign a pout.

His face was red, he could explode into a tomato paste.

"Fucking bitch." He lashed out.

There he is. He doesn't care about me. He's just a selfish bitch.

My eyes rolled casually and I shrug my shoulders, mumbling "Whatever." Before dropping my eyes to my manicured nails. My fingers carefully swept across each nail.

"Your dad is in Tokyo, right? I am just wondering what he would think if he found out about the whoring of your mom." I calmly asked while I concentrate on my nails. When quiet settled again in the room, I rose my head and look around the confined space.

"You know the other day at your house, while you were tailing my sister, there is a man on your mom's bed?" I let the cat out of the bag and Tyron almost choked.

"What?"

"You will say anything," Arlen grumbled, his chest rising and falling.

I shrugged my lips at his denial. I don't care if he believes it or not. As I said earlier, I could be a devil too.
"It makes me wonder if it's genetic. The perversion." I mocked.

"You are lying."

I dug out my phone from my shorts and play the embarrassing video on the highest volume.
"Oh, I kind of record it because Mrs. Garrett would make a good porn star. I could share it online..." I stopped and chortled at the moans of the poor woman I had caught that night while I was inebriated.

"Lilith, turn it off." He was begging. His eyes widen, and the white around his pupils is now a shade of red. His shoulders tensed.

I didn't turn it off. I kept inflicting pain on him with the sexual noise of his mother.

"I wonder what could happen to your sad little family. First, immediate divorce. Dad in Tokyo would be flirting with some woman who has kids that could replace you. And mom getting engaged to Mr. chef good fuck. Yes, the man fucking her is the man who works close by your house in the good fries and hamburger place you used to take us." I strolled back to my two friends, while Tori and Evie helped Ava up.

"Oops, where does that leave you, Arlen?" I mocked, clicking my tongue against the roof of my mouth. "Let me try to design the table for you in case you can't see where you would probably end up. You see you would drop to the middle class in a week while some happy family moves into your house. Possibly my dad could buy it, but we wouldn't move in, you know it's too tiny for us. But we will consider renting out. Anyways, back to your fate, love. In a month you'll come to be the lowest class plague. Oh, and we will surely sue you for rape." I sassily pointed out. "You are going to jail."

"I didn't rape her." He swallowed, coming off humiliated.

"Oh okay. Then attempted rape and murder, she's bleeding." I looked in her direction, she wouldn't look at me, though.

Which is great. At least she knew she was a shameful slut.

"You will not publicize that video. You find a way to have this whole thing stay in this room between you, me, and these people. No one will ever know." I sternly put a deal to the broken man across the room. "As you can see you have a lot to lose than the Boyce family."

I think that was all. It was enough. I had gotten to him.

We left the tensioned room with Ava in Tyron's arms. The girls are all matching the same mood. Broken and quiet, including festive Quinn and Suri who usually find delight in any awkward moment.

When we reached the parking lot, Tyron offered to drive us home but there was Quinn's car that she drove here with.

"It's okay, we can get home ourselves." I politely reject and he hugs me, now that Ava is standing in between her two friends.

"I am so sorry you had to go through this all." He sadly said.

"Is not your fault."

"Leigh would hate me still." He muttered and a knot tightened in my stomach at the mention of my brother's name.

I looked away, seeking air to breathe but my eyes fell over to Ava.

It feels like I was drowning in gravity.

"We will get a cab and be right behind you," Evie told her and she nods, her head in Evie's hands before they both embraced her.

"I am sorry, Ava." Tori worriedly kissed her face before she got into the backside of Quinn's car.

She was quiet all through the time. I wonder if it was what she had just experienced or if it was the truth that is now out to a certain number of people.

While I circled to get into the other side of the car, I heard Tyron offering to drive Evie and Tori.

As we began to move, I drilled my AirPods into my hearing and mom's voice came up. It started helping at first, but that next minute, I couldn't help processing everything from the beginning.

How Leigh refused to come home for a whole year. Why he leave in the first place at the beginning of summer. How they were always together these days. She was why he fight Arlen in the first place in their senior year. I was just dumb.

I felt a slight pat on my thigh. It was Suri. I took off one AirPod.

"You need to call Claire or Allison and let them know we left." Suri reminded me from the passenger seat.

I glance over to Ava. Her head is against the window, her eyes closed, her fingers laced together and trembling. She has this kind of beauty that was always notable and too radiant to ignore. I want to wish for her horror to stalk her and never end. For it to haunt her, day and night. To be the punishment she deserves for hurting me. But I want to tell her it's going to be okay too. And it sucks.

"Lilith?" Suri called again.

I divert my eyes away from my stepsister and nod at the rare mirror, bringing out my phone to call Quincy to let him know Claire and Allison would close the sales, but it was then I notice four missed calls from dad.

Had Arlen dared to link out the video? Had dad seen it already? Was it something else?

Swallowing, I called his phone back.

"Hey?"

"Why are you all not picking up my calls, you scared the shit out of me. I was about to follow your GPS. It's moving too fast by the way." He rushed from the receiver.

Normally, I would laugh at the sound of dad cussing but today, my mind had too much to digest. Nothing was funny or making sense either.

"You are tracking me?"

"Not only you, sweetheart. I can see Ava's there, can you hand over the phone to her?" He demanded.

I shoved her knee with my shoes. She flinched, her swollen eyes barely opening.

Out of all the boys out there, she chooses my brother.
Yesterday he might have hit me, but today when we get home, I am going to strangle him. He would rather die than the hell I would bring to him. He would ship himself way back to New Jersey before he knows it.

"You are on speaker, dad," I warned the man and toss the phone to the traitor next to me without a warning, while I watch her try to retrieve it in her shaky hands.