The Stepbrother (UPDATED)

🔪Chapter 8: Creeping (UPDATED)

There are also some photos of a woman - that must be Steven's mother.

She's lovely. But she looks sad. I can tell from her eyes. She's smiling, only a little bit, but her eyes look sad.

Toby is in the other guest room since he's used to sleeping all by himself.

For a guest room, it's quite big. Grandma Abigail told me that it used to be her room when she was a little girl.

Floral wallpaper and some of her porcelain dolls are displayed on the shelf, she even keeps her vanity. 

I let out a yawn and I get on the bed.

As soon as my back makes contact with the soft mattress, I can feel myself falling into bliss.

___

How long have I been sleeping?

All I can see right now is darkness.

"Aurora."

I can hear a voice.

"Aurora."

"Aurora."

I open my eyes and the first thing I see was Steven.

"Steven? What time is it?"

"It's almost 4 in the afternoon," Steven said. "Grandma said that she prepared some tea. It's just Grandma's usual tea time. Come on."

He held out his hand and I hesitated.

"Come on, up you go."

He grabs my hand, places his hand on my back, and pulls me up.

"Alright, let's go., we'll be in the dining room."

Steven lets go of my hand before leaving the room.

I let out a yawn and stretched.

I get off the bed and walk out of the room, and head downstairs.

I walk into the dining room and I spotted everyone there. 

"Hello Aurora, take a seat. " Grandma Abigail spoke, gesturing me to sit at the empty chair between Toby and Steven.

I take a seat and Grandma Abigail pours some tea into the teacup. 

"I hope you like tea." Grandma Abigail said.

"I do, thank you," I said.

"Also, I was about to make sandwiches for you guys but you might have some type of allergy. Are any of you allergic to peanuts or strawberries?"

"I'm okay but Toby is allergic to peanuts. Strawberries are fine." I replied.

"Okay, I'll take note of that. Now that we're all here, I want to let you guys know that your Grandfather and I are gonna have a gathering here tomorrow night, and we would like to introduce you, Aurora and Toby, to some of our friends. And if you will ever get bored, you can excuse yourselves and go to your rooms. Will that be okay?" Grandma Abigail explained.

"Yeah, that sounds fun," I said.

"We don't throw these kinds of gatherings all the time though. Aurora, how about I take you shopping tomorrow?" Grandma Abigail suggested. "It will be like a grandmother and granddaughter bonding time while maybe Grandpa could spend time with Steven and Toby. I'll let you pick anything you want, just name it."

"That's nice of you Grandma Abigail and I would like that," I responded.

"All right, it's settled then. And please call me Grandma."

She smiled and I smile back.

___

It's night time and I'm currently reading a book.

I grab my glass of water and finish it.

I should probably head downstairs, wash it, and go to sleep.

Putting my slippers on, with the glass in one hand and I open the door, heading down the stairs.

I tried to go down the stairs without making any noise.

Finally, I made it down and head towards the kitchen.

"Hello?" A voice spoke and I gasped. "Aurora?"

I turn on the lights and it was only Steven.

"Oh, it's only you Steven," I said, patting my chest before walking towards the sink.

"Can't sleep?" Steven asked.

"I'm going to bed after this," I responded as I clean up the cup. "And you?"

"Couldn't sleep. I'm not used to sleeping here. We rarely visit my grandparents." He said.

"I see." I put the cup on the dish rack and I'm going back to the guest room.

"Wait. Stay for a bit, Ro." Steven said.

I stopped and I look at him.

"Won't we get in trouble?" I asked.

"As long as we'll get back to our rooms before they come out of theirs." He responded.

"All right," I said as I slowly pull the chair before sitting down.

"Steven, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"I'm just wondering... why are you under grade retention?"

"Ah. I guess you could say that... I don't really like school. Even when I was little but I got through with that. High school... kinda sucks. But I already have two strikes. One more then I'm done for. I'm taking it a little bit seriously this time. Well, trying that is." He explained.

"I see," I said. "How does your Dad feel about that?"

"Hmm, well, to be honest, he was frustrated about it but he's a busy man and he said as long as I pass and not fail this time, it's enough for him." He said. "Can I tell you something?"

I nodded.

He leans forward. "You know, my Dad said that ever since he met your Mom and they dated for quite some time, he changed. He started caring about being a family and all that. It was a bit strange for me."

"Strange? Strange like how?" I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders. "It's complicated. Well, I guess that's enough for the night."

"Let's call it a night and head upstairs." He whispered.

I nodded once more. "Okay."

I got up from the chair and started walking. I turn around but Steven is still sitting there.

"Aren't you coming?" I asked.

"Go ahead. I'll catch up." He said.

"Okay, good night then."

"Night." He replied.

Then I head back upstairs as quietly as I can.

Edited on: 09/20/2021

Updated on: 02/11/2023