The Treehouse

Chapter Three

"Meet who?" A voice asks, sending shivers down my spine.

"W-Who is-" Before I could finish, my bedroom door shuts. Damn myself for not turning on the lights!

I squinted and tried to look around the room. Please don't tell me Father snuck into my room to abuse me...

"Why do you seem so scared?" The voice asks, the light turning on. I sighed in relief to see my sister near the door.

"Nothing," I reassured her, plopping on my bed.

"So, who's the special person?" She asks, a wide smirk on her face.

Oh damn... What if she'll tell Mom??

"It's-"

"Crystal!" A voice calls out to my sister, making me sigh in relief.

"I'm coming, Mom!" She replies, opening the door, "Bye, Puppy!"

A's POV

I sit on the large white sofa in the living room and smile at my phone. Finally, someone who's relatable to. Though I'm just a person who nobody notices.

I sigh deeply and placed my phone on the coffee table.

"Mistress," one of the maids called out, "Your evening tea is ready."

"Thank you," I gave a small smile as I took the cup from the tray.

She bowed and exited the living room into the kitchen. This isn't the reason why I hate living here, though.

"Darling," another voice called out. Here we go...

"Where's your sister-"

"Stepsister," I interrupted the tall man who was my father.

"You have to get used to it," his voice echoed the living room as I brought my gaze to my feet.

"All she wants is money," I mumble to myself before seeing my stepmother walk in from upstairs.

"Honey, are you doing alright?" She asks Father, walking down the stairs and ruffling my hair a bit.

Oh god, I swear. I don't like her.

"I don't think the mistress isn't here yet," one of the other maids announced, holding four gold towels.

"I think I'll go get some fresh air, Father," I removed my stepmother's hand slowly from my shoulder length hair.

"Are you sure? It's 7 in the evening," he gave a worried look and glanced at the woman next to me.

I nodded with a fake smile and ran up to my room to get changed. After changing into a blue shirt and jeans, I ran downstairs to the front door.

"Be careful, Mistress," my favorite maid, Jasmine, opened the large wooden door.

I thanked her and departed. I walked out of the gates and faced the bright white mansion. I don't have trouble staying out during the night since the house is near the school.

I sigh and started walking the opposite way, to the treehouse. I held my phone and reread my messages with R. Will I be able to meet him, though? What if she steals him?

I pouted and looked up from my phone. Through the window of my treehouse, I see a shadow. I slowly walked closer under the tree and held in a smile.

"When does she go here?" I hear a male voice. After asking, he let out a small sigh and I hear him lay on the bed.

"One day," I whispered, "We'll meet, just not today."

I bit my bottom lip and slightly walked back and forth from where I was standing. Wait, I'm risking it! Should I just go up there and face him, or do I wait until the right time? Oh no, what if I look weird and he doesn't want to see me? What if-

A black limousine stops in front of me. The window is rolled down by the driver. My driver. I lightly stomp my foot and got into the back seat.

"Tonight was supposed to be the right time," I whispered to myself as I stare out the window. Stupid rich people problems.

____________________

The next morning, I was awoken by knocking on my door. I groan and took my phone from the bedside table next to the light purple lamp. I turned it on, seeing that R messaged.

7:34 am

R: Hey, A. I was wondering if we could meet up today at the school's rooftop. Is that okay with you?

I smile and replied with, "Sure, that's fine."

I glanced at my phone and a few seconds later, I brought my pillow to my face then started to scream into it. What did I just do?! Oh my- What if I mess everything up?! What if he hates girls like me?! Why am I overthinking this?!

I then got up from bed and ran into the bathroom to take a quick shower. After fixing myself up, I ran downstairs into the kitchen to meet my family in the dining room. I greeted them with the usual "Good morning"'s and began to eat.

"I think we should go now," my sister suggested, hiding a smirk. What?

My father nodded and soon, the two of us were in front of the school. I sighed as I watched the car drive away and my stepsister happily showing off to other students.

"Why does she have to be my sister?!" I ask to no one in particular.

"Who?" A different voice asks. I turn around to see a male student with dark brown hair staring at me. Who's he?

"No one," I answer, walking away from him. I feel like I should know him...

____________________

After going to class and taking multiple tests, it was finally time to meet my treehouse partner. I nervously sigh and feel my pulse start to quicken. I walked up the stairs to the rooftop when I suddenly hear voices before I opened the doors.

I slightly open the door, peeking out from the small space. There, I see the brown haired boy I just met... And my sister.

"Leave me alone, Natalie," the boy said, putting his hands into his pockets.

"You shouldn't treat your soon-to-be girlfriend like that," Natalie, my stepsister, announced as she looked at the door where I was.

"Go away, I have someone to meet here," the boy spoke, as other girls surrounded him.

Coincidence? I mean, a lot of people go to the rooftop, so I don't think I'll be able to find him here. I sigh again and decided to just eat outside at the field. As I was walking through the hallways, conversations were heard from a lot of students.

"Hey, bestie!" My best friend called out.

"Hi," I reply, still walking.

"Alright, so who's been going in your secret house?" She asked, curiosity filling her face.

"A treehouse isn't a secret house," I mentally face palmed and we both walked out under one of the trees.

"Even if you don't tell me, I already know."

"Wait, if you know who, then tell me!" I hope she isn't fooling around! And I hope that he isn't out of my league.

She smiled and opened her mouth, "It's-"