My Jealous Stepbrother

The clouds in the sky swirled in dark hues, foreshadowing an impending storm. I felt an urgency to hurry home before the rain fully unleashed. I said goodbye to Zack, thanking him sincerely for his comforting company. Just as I was about to turn to leave, he surprised me with a soft kiss on my cheek. My heart skipped a beat. I couldn't help but smile, grateful for his affectionate gesture.

"Take care of yourself, Sam," he said with an intense look. "I'm here if you need anything."

I could only nod. Then, with determination, I stepped onto the path that would take me home. The first drops of rain began to fall, gently hitting my hair and wetting my face. I quickened my pace, feeling how the wind played with my clothes and the raindrops became more intense. The atmosphere became gloomier and the storm raged, enveloping me. I walked quickly, seeking refuge in the warmth and safety of my house.

Drenched and filled with tumultuous thoughts, I finally arrived home.

As I searched my purse for my keys, my heart sank in my chest as I realized that I had left it and my phone on the dresser in my room. The morning rush had made me completely forget to pick them up.

A sense of despair began to fully take hold of me.

With the rain now coming in sideways and soaking me more and more, I started banging on the front door loudly, desperately hoping someone would hear me. I didn't know if Ryan was home, but I prayed that he was. I secretly longed for his presence, willing to endure anything so that I wouldn't have to endure the cold drops falling from the sky.

My patience was fading fast as I kept knocking on the door with no answer. The cold crept into my bones, and my body shivered involuntarily. A sneeze escaped my lips, and a sense of frustration came over me. Dad used to keep a spare key hidden outside until he got paranoid about it. The one window I might have been able to jiggle open was too high to climb to without a ladder.

"Ryan, are you in there? Open up!" I cried, my voice lost amidst the roar of the storm. My hopes were beginning to fade, and the thought of not getting in was becoming more and more real.

However, just as I was about to give up, the door swung open, revealing Ryan standing in front of me, a look of surprise on his face. "Sam, what are you doing out here in this rain?" he asked, mockery evident in his voice.

A whirlwind of emotions washed over me at that moment. On the one hand, I felt relief to see him and be safe from the storm. But there was also a mixture of annoyance, why did I think he would let me pass so easily? "I forgot my keys and my phone on the dresser," I told him, trying to control my trembling voice.

Ryan looked me up and down with a look that made me uncomfortable. A shiver ran down my spine as his mocking words filled the air. "Wow, the wet look is great on you," he said with a sarcastic tone, reveling in my soggy, disheveled appearance. I knew I looked awful, with my hair soaked and my makeup running in the rain. I hadn't anticipated that I would need waterproof makeup, and now I was exposed and vulnerable in front of him.

My anger began to burn inside me, and my trembling voice was filled with determination, possibly it was because of all the things I had had to endure these past few days. "Let me pass, Ryan. Step aside before I take you away myself," I replied, unable to hide my anger and the coldness that enveloped me.

Ryan seemed surprised by my response, but finally stepped aside, making way for me. I walked past him without looking at him, determined to get away from his presence and find solace in my room.

As I moved down the hallway, footsteps echoed in my mind, mingling with the darkness that seemed to envelop me.

Suddenly, everything went completely black around me.

***

I opened my eyes slowly, trying to adjust to the dim light that illuminated the room I was in. It had only been a few seconds but I didn't recognize the place, and the feeling of bewilderment intensified. My mind filled with questions as I tried to remember how I had gotten there.

Then, a voice whispered my name, like a distant echo fading into the air. A shiver ran down my spine, and my heart began to pound.

"Sam," whispered the voice again, closer this time. I turned in the direction of the sound and found a blurry figure on the other side of the bed holding my hand. I couldn't make out his features, but something in his tone sounded familiar. Was it Ryan's voice?

"Ryan?" I asked in a shaky voice, full of hope and doubt at the same time. He was in my room how had I arrived without realizing it?

The blurry figure nodded softly, and gradually his features became clearer. It was Ryan, but his face showed concern and weariness.

"Samantha, you're back," Ryan whispered, gently squeezing my hand between his. "I found you passed out in the hallway. I was so scared, I thought something serious had happened to you."

Confusion mingled with relief inside me. I didn't remember fainting, only the anger and darkness around me. "How did I get here? What happened?" I asked, struggling to stay calm and understand what had happened.

He sighed, letting go of my hand and running a hand through his hair. "After you walked away from me in the hallway, I followed you and found you passed out. I don't know exactly what happened, but I brought you to your room and took care of you. You were out for a long time."

A long time?

"How long?" I asked, it only seemed like seconds to me.

"An hour," he said with concern.

My confusion was mixed with a strange sense of gratitude. Despite our arguments and the tension between us, Ryan had been there for me when I needed him most. "Thank you," I said, my voice full of sincerity.

The sound of raindrops hitting the window made my mind remind me that it was happening, I was alone with Ryan in my room.

He stared at me, his blue eyes full of tenderness. "Samantha, despite everything, you are important to me. I can't stand to see you hurt or in danger."

Only a moment ago I was angry and freezing for him for his typical teasing and now I felt warm at his words. Wait... warm?

But just a moment ago I was soaked from the rain. I looked down, expecting to find the bed wet... but it was completely dry. I lifted the sheet and realized I didn't have the clothes I had left the house in; instead I had my favorite pajamas. Who had changed me?!