Chapter 03 Fight

~Amara~

"You're joking, right? That is not funny, Amara. You better try another joke."Luke said and I couldn't believe that he thought I was joking about it. How could I joke about something so serious?

"You think it's a joke? Let's go so that you can see it for yourself."I grabbed Luke's hand but he pulled it from mine.

"No! You need to stay away from him Amara. I don't like Nicholas even a little bit, he's not a nice guy to be around. We all know about his bad reputation on campus."Luke said and I couldn't help but frown at his words.

I know that Nicholas is a badboy but…how will I avoid him?.

"How do you expect me to avoid him and we're going to live under the same roof Luke? He's my step-brother now and that only means that I should try my best to get along with him."I reasoned out but Luke shook his head in denial.

"I know he's your step-brother but…you need to stay cautious around him, Amara. You're a good person and I don't want you to be intoxicated by his behaviour. I don't want to lose my best friend."Luke told me and I saw worry in his grey eyes.

How was I supposed to explain to Luke that I already liked Nicholas even before he became my step-brother? That's why I never told anyone about it.

I tried to find a reason to hate Nicholas but…I never found one. The more I wanted to hate him was the more I wanted to get close to him and know him better. I heaved a deep sigh when the thoughts clouded my mind then turned my head to look at Luke and smiled at him.

"I will try my best, I will try."I told Luke and he relaxed when he heard my words.His eyes changed subtly from worry to gentleness.

"If he ever tries to hurt you in any way, just tell me and I will deal with him!"Luke said through gritted teeth and I smiled at his words. He's so protective just like always.

I laid my head on Luke's shoulder like I have always done and he wrapped his strong arm around my shoulders and I felt protected. Luke is like a big bro to me. We're both seventeen but he's two weeks older than me.

I bid Luke goodnight after sitting on the rock for a couple of minutes while watching the moon in the sky. Luke looked so worried and walked me to our mansion. He reminded me to stay away from Nicholas and I assured him that I would try my best.

_______

I woke up to the annoying noises of the alarm and prepared for campus. When I was done with everything in my room, I decided to go to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee.

"Amara, we are going to be late for classes if you don't hurry up! Did you forget that today we have morning classes?"Luke asked me and I turned around to look at him, holding a cup of coffee in my hands.

"Good morning."I teased him and he snorted at my words, "Coffee?"I asked and he nodded to my words and I prepared coffee for him too using coffee maker.

"Where is Nicholas?"Luke asked me, "Still sleeping."I shrugged my shoulders and sipped on the coffee.

"It now makes sense why he's always late for classes."Luke reasoned out and I didn't say anything about it.

Luke and I walked out of the mansion when we were done drinking coffee and the car pulled off immediately. Luke's dad, Beta Michael, was the one who drove us to campus and came to pick us up when we were done with our classes.

Since we were taking different subjects, Luke went to history class while I went to Geography classes. Kissing, touching and gossiping was the mood in the air when I entered the class.

Students groaned when the geography teacher walked in class. I looked around the classroom and realised that Nicholas had not arrived, for a split second, I felt guilty for not waking him up.

The classes began and I couldn't help but look at the door, expecting Nicholas to materialise. Fifteen minutes passed by but he didn't show up, everyone knew that he had bad habits of missing classes so no one cared, only I cared.

Another five minutes passed by and the door clicked open and there he was, his jet-black hair was a mess like it has always been and I couldn't help but wonder why he didn't comb the hair.

Three upper buttons of his shirt were unbuttoned and his shirt untucked.Mrs. Pamela didn't bother to look at him because she was used to him coming late. So it was not a surprise.

"Damn it! He still looks hot even if his hair is a mess."A girl giggled behind me, admiring Nicholas.

Nico looked around the class and there was no empty chair apart from the one that was beside me,at the front raw. With a frown on his face, he walked towards me lazily and sat down.

"Why didn't you wake me up?"He grumbled and I couldn't help but look at Nico and raise my brow at him.

"How was I supposed to wake you up when you're not talking to me?"I answered him back and he snorted in return, attracting Mrs.Pamela's attention.

"Nicholas Adams! I won't allow you to distract my class after coming late. Leave Amara alone, if you don't like to study, don't think that everyone wants to be like you."Mrs. Pamela told Nico and he fisted his hands tightly under the locker.

I know Mrs Pamela was watching me closely because my father asked her to do it. So, I gave her a polite smile to show that I was sorry.

Students heaved a sigh of relief when geography was over. Nicholas on the other hand slept the whole lesson, I tried to wake him up but he groaned every time I tried and asked me to leave him all alone.

"My mother asked me to bring you this."Nicholas placed the packed sandwich on the top of my locker and walked away.

"Nico…"I tried to call him but he never looked back at me. I looked around the room and noticed that Sandra was laughing at me because Nicholas had ignored me and it made me feel an heartache.

Nicholas walked to Sandra and she hugged him so tightly and he hugged her back. Sandra looked at me mockingly and I looked away because I couldn't stand the sight of watching Nico hold another girl in his arms.

Why was Nicholas ignoring me? I only wanted to tell him "Thank you"for bringing me sandwiches which Patricia had prepared for me.

I walked out of the hall, my eyes welling up. I'm only trying to be a good Step-sister to Nicholas but…it seems like I'm not good enough.

"Amara?"Luke tried to call me but I didn't answer him.I kept on walking and tears that I was trying hard to hold finally flowed.

I just wanted to be away from everyone, away from Nicholas and away from campus. However, I couldn't walk far enough because Luke ran to me and held my hand.

Taking a deep breath, I wiped tears from my eyes and turned around to look at Luke and he frowned when he realised that I was crying.

"What's wrong?"He asked and worry flashed in his grey eyes.

"It's Nicholas."I said, my voice low and hurtful, "Damn it! What has he done to you? I'm going to teach him a lesson."Luke cursed,his hands clenching into a tight fist and veins popped on his forehead.

I knew what that reaction meant…

"Luke,wait!"I tried to call but he had already walked some distance from me. His strides were long and I couldn't run in heels.

"Luke…"I called, walking faster to catch him but he pretended as though he didn't hear me.

My heart pounded wildly against my ribcage when I realised that he was a few steps away from Nicholas who was busy talking to Sandra and laughing happily.

"What have you done to her?"Luke grabbed Nicholas by the collar.Nicholas frowned in confusion, before he could wrap his head around what was going on, Luke punched him so hard on the cheeks.

"No!"A scream escaped my lips