My Jealous Stepbrother

"A-ah, yeah. I mean, he told me he was going to help Emily with her homework, but she usually struggles with subjects involving numbers, so I guess it was hard for him," I replied, so hurriedly trying to hold back the words that threatened to come out of my mouth that I ended up stammering. I knew I should be quiet, but the words seemed to flow like water, and my nervousness increased with every second.

I watched as Ryan's face contracted with each word he spoke, and a sense of discomfort and tension washed over me. Faced with his piercing gaze, I found myself at a loss for words, not knowing how to answer his direct questions. "When did you talk to him?" asked Ryan in a more serious and cautious tone of voice.

"Well, I...it was...uhm..." I stammered, unable to come up with a coherent answer. I didn't understand how Ryan had come to that conclusion so quickly, and I felt trapped.

"You met with him, not Emily," he said, stating the facts. "I'll take your silence as an answer," Ryan said firmly.

"So what if I did? That's right, I didn't meet with Emily," I replied firmly. "I met with Zack."

A tense silence took over the room, and I felt the weight of awkwardness in the air. It was clear that Ryan was angry and perhaps even worried at the mention of Zack. Thoughts raced through my mind as I searched for a way to ease the tension between us.

Deep down I hoped that the apparent rivalry between them was only a figment of my imagination. I tried to keep my composure and continued talking, trying to deflect attention away from the subject.

"Anyway, changing the subject, how have you been dealing with your own chores lately? If you need help with anything, I'd be happy to pitch in," I suggested, hoping that the change in focus would help smooth the atmosphere and rebuild the trust that seemed to have been shaken.

It was clear that Ryan wasn't going to play along. His anger was palpable, emanating from him in almost tangible waves. "You can never see him or meet with him again," he declared with determination. I was stunned at his words, but quickly summoned the courage to stand up to him. I was not going to allow Ryan to dictate my life on a whim.

I stood up from my chair abruptly, causing it to fall backwards with a clatter that echoed throughout the room. "Excuse me? You don't get to decide that," I replied in a firm voice. "You have no authority over me. Besides, I don't understand why you're so mad at Zack, he's a good kid." My words seemed to provoke him even more.

"I'm in charge of you for the next few days, and I say you are strictly forbidden to address a single word to him during that time," he stated in a strained, authoritative voice.

I felt a surge of indignation and rebellion coursing through my body. I couldn't let Ryan get away with this. "You don't know him," I said frustrated, seeking to get my point across to him.

"I do know him, that's why I forbid you!" retorted Ryan, making it clear that he wasn't willing to budge on his stance.

"You can't do that, you're not my father!" I exclaimed, raising my voice. Ryan was crossing a dangerous line, trying to control my life in an unacceptable way. However, his response took my breath away.

"It's true, I'm not. But I'm sure if I call your father and tell him that his darling little daughter went to meet a boy while she was supposedly still sick, risking her own health, he won't be amused," he said coldly, making it clear that he was willing to use any means necessary to impose his will.

His words echoed in my ears, adding to my frustration and anger. I was sick of so much overprotection and feeling limited in every step I took. I couldn't allow Ryan to control me like that.

"Great! What's next, a 24 hour bodyguard? I just have a simple flu, I'm not going to die. I'm not a child!" I responded indignantly, making clear my frustration and rejection of his oppressive attitude.

The room was filled with a heavy silence as our gazes met in mid-confrontation. It was clear that I had reached a critical point.

"Well, you're acting like one!" said Ryan, trying to justify his overprotectiveness.

"You only know how to deprive me of my freedom and put buts in everything I do. All their overprotection is ridiculous," I responded bitterly, letting out my pent-up frustration.

"You don't know how much we sacrificed! I had to miss an important game just so I could take care of you! It could have been the most important one in my entire career," Ryan exclaimed, his voice full of resentment.

"I never asked you to do that!" I retorted, feeling the anger wash over me "Don't you think I'm old enough to make up my own mind?"

"You didn't have to! But all you care about is yourself - or poor Sam!"

After the heated exchange with Ryan, I stormed out of his room, slamming the door.

"He's acting like an idiot!" I felt a mixture of anger and frustration at the way he was treating me. When I got to my room, I vented my anger by throwing everything on my desk. Why was he always treating me like I was a dumb child? My phone kept ringing, displaying multiple messages from an unknown number.

-Having fun with your stepbrother? Funny things happen with this weather, don't they?

-Poor Sam, her ex-boyfriend cheated on her with her friend and now she can't seem to get over it. It's pretty pitiful, are you trying to replace one nail with another?

-You better stop ignoring me, I'm warning you. You won't be able to get rid of me that fast.

I felt a knot in my stomach as I read the spiteful messages.

It seemed like everyone thought I couldn't take care of myself, but they were so wrong. Maybe I should show them what I was capable of.