Tasting 111

111–I Am Done With My Stepbrother

Nora:

“Can you, for once, not be the center of attention, Nora?” he yelled, making me stumble as I tried to

get up in a hurry.

“And you think I’m a crazy person who just loves to argue and fight?” I yelled back once it hit me

hard that this was his party, and it was my first time there. Instead of looking out for me or telling his

friends to leave me alone, he disappeared on me. Only to reappear and yell at me.

“I’m sure you love arguments,” he said, rolling his eyes.

“Mister! That girl you sleep with was trying to sell me to those men I hit,” I screamed and watched

him narrow his eyes at me. “I did what I had to do when they put their hands on me,” I continued to

yell and even shoved him this time, pushing him back. But he stood firm like a brick wall.

“What girl?” he frowned, “and who tried to buy you?” The minute he asked me that question, I

recalled the little tease from him in the car, and my jaw dropped.

He noticed the widening of my eyes, and his frown deepened.

“What?” he asked in confusion.

“Did you know your girl would try to sell me tonight? Is that why you brought me here?” I couldn’t

even ask that question in a normal tone. My heart was pounding as the thoughts raced through my

mind.

“What the fuck, Nora? What are you on about?” he yelled, and I

111- Am Done With My Stepbrother

hushed him by placing a finger on my lips.

“You don’t raise your voice at me anymore. How dare you, Silas! I knew you hated me, but to go to

that extent…” It made sense in my head why he would bring me here and then not even worry

about what happened to me.

“You went into that room because you already made a deal with those men that they could sleep

with me, and you’d get whatever drugs you wanted,” I was so angry that my brain believed

whatever thoughts came to mind.

His eyes widened, then he clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes at

1. me.

“Enough! You think I would pimp my stepsister to some goons for drugs? You think I can’t afford

drugs?” He grabbed my arms and shook me, making me wince in pain.

“Let me go!” I kicked his knee, but it did no damage. He stood in front of me with his hands on my

arms, shaking me angrily.

“I have no idea what accusations you are making. What girl? I haven’t slept with any girl for drugs or

whatever you claim I’ve done,” he yelled. But I didn’t stop protesting, so he had to let me go.

Once I stepped back from him, I wiped my cheeks with my hoodie’s sleeves and stomped my foot.

“Nora!” he called out, trying to change his tone and come closer to talk

to me.

“Don’t say my name,” I warned him, grunting angrily.

“You got it all wrong. I have no clue who lied to you and what they

111-4 Am Done With My Stepbrother

said, but I didn’t do that,” he said in a calm tone.

Of course, he was calm. After putting me through this trauma, maybe I would believe he was

innocent, but the fact that he accused me of wanting attention when I was visibly shaken up upset

me.

“Tell me, who tried to sell you?” he hunched over to lower his head and look me in the eye, as I

wasn’t raising my head either.

“There will be no need for it,” I raised my head to meet his eyes. “I really thought someday we would

come around, but I didn’t know you harbored so much hatred for me,” I said and watched him shake

his head.

“I messed up. I should have been more careful and protective, but I didn’t do what you are accusing

me of,” he repeated. But I guess all the things from the past and how he had treated me rushed to

my mind, and I could no longer look him in the eye and talk with him.

“You know what!” I took a deep breath and straightened my back. He narrowed his eyes at me,

attentively listening to what I had to say.

“I will never bother you again,” I stated confidently and determinedly.

“What is that supposed to mean?” he placed his hands on his waist and questioned.

“You will not be bothered by my existence again. I will stay away from you as if you don’t exist for

me, and you will continue living your life like you used to before you got me as your stepsister,” I

declared and watched him roll his eyes.

“That’s a bit dramatic. You wanted to say all that so that I can beg you to pay me attention and

argue with me,” he shook his head in disbelief, once again making up his own scenarios and

believing them.

111-4 Am Done With My Stepbrother

“This time, I will stay put,” I said.

“Nora! Stop being dramatic. We have argued in the past, and those were the worst arguments,” he

started, but I cut him off to explain why it was important that we stay away from each other.

“You’re ruining my peace, and I am ruining yours. I think it’s better if we don’t exist for each other,” I

repeated. He finally raised an eyebrow and nodded his head.

“Sure! I would very much like that. Thank you for making my life

easier by quitting it,” he shrugged, clearly showing it didn’t bother him. that he had hurt me so much

that I had finally made up my mind to stop fighting with him.

“Goodbye!” I said and turned around to leave when I heard his chuckle.

“You’ll need me to drop you home,” that cocky tone gave me goosebumps.

“No, you’re wrong. I can walk home, and if any trouble arises, I will call the guards,” I said as I

started to walk away, making my way back home on foot.