Chapter 5: Bring It On, Walker
CHAPTER 5: Bring It On, Walker
I groaned as I got out of History. It was the subject I liked the least, and it didn't help that the teacher was extremely boring. She just kept drawling on and on about some event I'm positive wouldn't even help me in the future.
Entering the room where my French class was being held, I immediately scowled at the sight of both Aiden and Zach. I looked upon the ceiling, asking 'why me?' to nobody in particular. I scanned the class for any vacant seats and with my luck, it just had to be the desk in front of them. I grudgingly stalked towards the unoccupied seat, ungracefully plopping down and tossing my bag carelessly on the floor.
The teacher began the class by announcing that we would be learning french as a trio for the whole semester. As soon as she finished, the class buzzed with chatters and cheers, already excited to pick who they were going to be with.
Much to their anticipation, the next words that tumbled out of Ms. Bianca's mouth ruined their plans. "I will be choosing who you guys will be with," her voice boomed, silencing everyone.
She began listing off the names, and I closed my eyes, silently praying that I wouldn't be with the two devils.
"Nylin Miller, Zach Walker, and Aiden Miller."
I banged my head on the table over and over. Literally. I earned concerned glances from the students but I didn't mind them. It instantly dawned on me that I was already fluent in French, meaning I wouldn't need their help. I mentally cheered and did a happy dance.
However, it didn't last long when she announced, "You have to help each other because, at the end of the semester, all three of you will earn the same grades." I couldn't help but glare holes at the side of her head for the entire duration of the class.
The bell rang, and I've never been so happy to hear that sound. Feeling giddy, I rush to the locker rooms, eager to get to my gym class. I quickly changed into some workout shorts and a tank top with a sports bra underneath.
I was one of the firsts to arrive, so I had to sit on the bench and be bored out of my mind. It didn't take long before the students filled the gym and the coach began talking.
"This year, we will be learning mixed martial arts intertwined with some boxing. Zach, the captain of the boxing team, will be helping me out in teaching the class," he announces, asking Zach to join him in front of everyone.
Murmurs started again, talking about how Zach was the best and how he was so hot. You could also hear the whines of the girls and the cheers of the guys. I, however, groaned for the umpteenth time. I just couldn't get rid of him, could I?
"Does anyone here know how to do martial arts?" the coach asks. No one raises their hand except me. Coach looked impressed while a stunned expression-filled Zach's handsome face.
"Can you and Zach please show the class how it's done?" the coach requested, pointing at me.
I nodded, standing up when Zach spoke up. "I'm not fighting a girl."
I snorted, deciding to show Zach some sass. I jut my hip to the side and placed my hand on it. "Don't tell me that you're afraid to be beaten by a girl, Zachy," I said in a sickly sweet tone, taunting him.
A lot of "ooh" and "burn" was heard from the class as I stood there smirking. I raised an eyebrow at his lack of response.
Knowing that he couldn't refuse because of that big ego of his, "Fine. Get ready to lose, Miller," he growled at me challengingly
We faced off in the center of the gym. "Bring it on, Walker. Let's see what you got. I'm not afraid of you."
It's been a minute and neither of us has started advancing. Deciding that Zach will be too chicken to go first, I sent out a fake jab to his right side. Idiotically, he fell for it, and leaned towards his left, not expecting the left hook I sent to his head. This caused him to stumble a bit and raise his arms to his face. I sent a kick to his left calf, and he fell, taken by surprise.
I looked at him, amused. He definitely underestimated me. Zach decided to swipe his leg underneath mine, but I caught on to what he was doing and jumped. He sent a jab on my side midway, causing me to crouch. After a bit more sparring, I got bored and sent a roundhouse kick (perfectly, might I add), impressing the coach and leaving Zach groaning on the floor.
The whole class was silent as they saw me single-handedly beat their MMA/Boxing captain. The bell rang, signaling the end of the class, and I was surprised. I didn't know we boxed for almost the whole class.
I looked at the coach as he called my name. "Nice job, Miller." he nodded at me. "Class, you guys should take a hint from her and learn how to defend yourselves well. We will dive into the specifics tomorrow. Dismissed."
I was just about to leave when I saw Zach still laying on the ground, groaning. I went towards him, wanting to do one last thing.
I knelt down to him and whispered, "I told you I wasn't the girl you once knew." I didn't bother to stay and wait for his response. Hell, I didn't even stay long enough to see his reaction.
After changing my clothes, I rushed home, not wanting to find out how lenient Laura was going to be with me. I'd prefer to avoid any unnecessary conversations with either of my parents. I already had enough going on today.
Lauren confronted me as soon as I entered the door. "I didn't appreciate you walking out on us earlier this morning. It was disrespectful. You didn't even let me explain the rules properly, so we're going to discuss it right now in the living room," she stated without any room for arguments.
I couldn't help but stare at her with disbelief. Is she for real? I rolled my eyes, knowing that I have no other choice but to comply. I headed towards the living room and sat on one of the single couches.
Laura came a few minutes after, a tray on her hands filled with cookies and two glasses of juice. "Here," she offered. "They're chocolate chip cookies and orange juice."
I stared at the tray she was holding out. "Did you poison it?" I bluntly asked, glaring at the juice.
Laura scoffed. "As if I would do that in my own home. I don't need to poison you to get you out of my life. Just take the juice and cookies."
I went to get the glass when I retraced my hand, sat back, and placed them firmly on my lap. "No, thank you," I declined as politely as I could. "I'm not that hungry, and I already had lunch at school," I lied. I was hungry. Very hungry, but I was used to it. This is nothing new. I was not eating anything she offers without anybody else present. Although it may not seem like it, I treasured my life, thank you very much.
"Suit yourself," she shrugged, taking a sip from one of the glasses.
"What is it that you wanted to do again?" I asked, not wanting to take any crap. I was tired and I didn't want to hear any more of what she had to say, but here I am.
She pursed her lips. "As I've mentioned earlier, you can stay here if you'd follow the list of rules I gave to you."
She was clearly going to say more but I cut her off. "I know. I'm sorry to inform you that I haven't had the time to read it yet because if you didn't know, I was busy attending this place you call school."
She pretends not to hear my sarcastic remark. "You are not allowed to drink, go to parties, and go out in the middle of the night. No drugs too. You'll also be having a curfew. You are to be home by 11 pm. If you are even a second later without our permission or notifying us, you can say goodbye to your home."
I raised an eyebrow at her. "Bold of you to assume that I would call this place home. This is just a place for me to sleep in, kind of like a dorm. A home is a place that I can call mine, a place where I feel loved and welcome. This definitely isn't it. Don't worry, though. All that aside, I'll still follow those rules of yours. Not because I want to, but because I have to." With that said, I got up from the couch and headed upstairs to my room, not wanting to prolong the conversation we were having.
I locked the door, and my facade fell. They don't trust me. I scoffed at myself. Of course, they don't. What did I expect? A warm welcome? I already felt bad about lashing out at Ashdan this morning, but honestly, what can I do? No matter how much I try to deny it, it hurts to know that they don't care about me anymore. They treat me like a dangerous stranger.
I was shaken out of my thoughts when my phone rang. It was an unknown number, so I picked up, thinking about how unwise it would be if I didn't.
(caller- bold; nylin-italicized)
"Hello, Nylin. How are you, love? Did you miss me?"
I recognized that voice anywhere. It was the voice that caused my torments, my nightmares, my despair. The voice I despised ever since I left this household.
"To what do I owe you this wonderful surprise, Jonathan?" I greeted sarcastically.
"Darling, do not piss me off." his voice held a warning. "You know as well as I do that my name is Joe. Come back already, hon. Your mother and I miss you so much, and I know you feel the same way. Do you want to talk to her?" he offered. "I could give her the phone right now if you want me to. We miss you so much, baby."
"What do you mean you're with her? How? Are you in jail too? Have they caught you selling your, ah, 'candies'?" I mock, laughing.
"Oh, I'm sorry to disappoint." his voice is colder now. "Your mom is out. I paid her bail, which was pretty big. Add the lawyer fees to that and well, the price isn't nice. Now, not only do I own your mother but you as well. Her hearing is in two weeks, by the way."
"What?" I murmured to myself. This cannot be happening to me. "I will never be yours, Joe. Not now, not ever. I won't be the slut my mother is."
Empty chuckles are heard over the phone. "Are you sure, baby girl? You already are one, even if you say that you aren't. Plus, you wouldn't want to see your family hurt, do you? Aiden, I think is the name of your twin and that little boy, Luke."
My entire body stiffened. My hands went cold and rigid. "Don't you dare touch them," I hissed. "I swear that if you do, I'll go to the police and tell them all about you. I'm sure that they would love to hear all about your schemes." I threatened.
"Oh, honey. Do you really think that would scare me? You, a pathetic little girl? You know that I have the money to pay them off. Besides, you don't even have proof against me. If you don't want me to hurt Aiden and Luke, you better come home. Come to me and pay your debts. You have a week."
I sucked in a sharp breath as he ended the call. I dropped my phone and tears cascaded down my face. I only just got my brother back. I can't let them get hurt. I promised myself that I wouldn't do anything to get them in danger. Once again, my happiness was stripped away from me by none other than Joe, that asshole. I was tempted to scream, unleash my anger, but I couldn't.
I knew that coming here was a bad idea, but I was so selfish. I was so insistent in convincing myself that I was free that I neglected to consider Joe's true nature. Now, look at what I've done. I've placed all of their lives at risk. Ashdan, Aiden, and my sweet little brother Luke. I didn't need a week to be able to decide. The moment my brothers' names escaped Joe's mouth, I knew. I knew that I would rather die than ever see them hurt.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, willing the tears to stop. I might as well distance myself from them as early as now. I'll make the most of whatever time I have with them left, until the very last second. There is no way I'm going back to that devil until I really have to. Going back there would be like signing my death warrant. In a way, I was. It wasn't like I had a choice, I told myself. It was either me or them, and their lives are way more valuable than mine would ever be.
The last thing that I could hope for was that Aiden and Luke would learn to understand the reason I was doing this. Everything I'm doing is for them and no one else. No matter what happens, I wish they know that I will always love them. I would do anything for either one of them, including Ashdan. This is one of the things I was willing to sacrifice for their safety. No one can ever dare say that I don't love them. Questioning my love for them was like questioning the existence of humanity. Stupid.
The sad part is, I know that what I hoped for would never come true. Aiden and Luke will never understand the reasons I was leaving because I couldn't tell them in the first place. Telling them about Joe would put their lives in even more danger. So once again, I had to be the antagonist in their story. The sister who came back acting like a bitch but giving them hope, only to have her crush them. Then again, they could just not care about my near disappearance. After all, I had no clue if they even wanted me back in their lives in the first place.
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