We pulled up to the rickety old house, and despite the sea of melancholy that had engulfed me lately, I felt a twinge of excitement. The house was neither new nor luxurious, but it was more than I had anticipated.

We had moved from California, where we lived in a two-bedroom apartment in the worst part of town. Walking to work each day had become a constant nightmare. While I was thankful for the move, I couldn't help but expect the worst.

I've been living with my mother and her husband for three years now, and saying I hate it is an understatement. I was raised by my amazing grandmother for most of my life until she passed away a few years ago. My mother, who insists I call her Lauren as if I'm some stranger she found on the street, was the only relative left to take me in.

Lauren and I have a non-existent relationship: she pretends I don't exist, and I stay out of her way. The real issue is her husband, Darren, who drinks far too much and becomes a complete asshole when he does. I keep my distance from him when he's been hitting the bottle too hard.

We moved to Georgia because Lauren got a job offer. Darren can hardly hold a job, so Lauren pays most of the bills. Typically, I work part-time and use my earnings to buy the necessities Lauren refuses to provide.

The new house was much bigger than I had expected, with chipped white paint and a crooked porch jutting out from the front. The only thing I looked forward to in this cross-country move was finally having my own bedroom. In California, my "bedroom" was the unused dining room blocked off by a curtain, as Darren insisted he needed the second bedroom as an office.

I climbed out of the car, stretched, and slung my backpack over my shoulder as I walked to the front porch. I could hear Lauren and Darren already arguing, but I had learned to tune them out successfully. The front porch creaked under my feet, but I didn't mind. Darren only ever stepped outside to run to the liquor store, so I would have plenty of time to myself on the porch.

Lauren opened the front door, and I followed her inside behind Darren. Without wasting any time, I headed upstairs to my bedroom.

"The smallest room, Sophia. Don't forget it," Lauren reminded me, not that I could.

I was instantly grateful to find a bathroom close to my bedroom. I smiled when I peeked into Lauren and Darren’s room and saw they had their own connected bathroom, which meant Darren would leave me alone for a change. He had a habit of pushing boundaries when he was drunk, but he was easy to escape when intoxicated.

I walked into my bedroom and surveyed the peeling paint on the walls. Once I found a job, I could make this room more presentable. I had saved up a small fund since I was old enough to work. While I was a straight-A student, I needed a backup plan in case I didn't get a scholarship. Escaping this place the moment I turned eighteen was always on my mind.

I dropped my backpack on the floor and looked around. The room was small but had a working door and four walls. A rickety queen-sized bed sat against the far wall, along with a dusty oak dresser. I ran downstairs and grabbed my large suitcase from the trunk of Lauren’s car, struggling under its weight. Lauren and Darren were still arguing, giving me plenty of time to wrestle my suitcase to the top of the stairs.

Everything I needed fit comfortably in my suitcase. I didn't have many clothes, but I had grown used to that sad fact.

I stuffed my clothes into the dusty dresser, pulling out an outfit for school tomorrow. Lauren had wasted no time enrolling me at the local public school, anything to get me out of the house and out of Darren’s thinning hair. I stuffed my debit card in my back pocket and ran downstairs. Lauren had her back turned, bickering at Darren as he set up the small TV in the living room.

"Where do you think you're going?" Lauren snapped, turning to face me as I opened the front door. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. She never cared where I went before.

"I'm gonna find something for dinner," I shrugged. I had stopped eating dinners with Lauren and Darren long ago. Since the court made Lauren my legal guardian until I turned eighteen, I refused to give her any of the money I worked for, supporting myself to the best of my ability.

"Get me a six-pack while you're out," Darren snapped, his beady eyes narrowing at the TV. I gritted my teeth. "I'm seventeen," I retorted, turning on my heel and walking out the front door, ignoring Darren’s mumbling.

I stepped onto the main road, sighing. I had no idea where I was going. After a moment, I decided to go right, hoping to find a gas station for a bag of chips and a bottle of water.

After walking for about fifteen minutes, I sighed with relief when a small corner store came into view. That was one thing I'd miss about California. There, you could walk in any direction and find a gas station or grocery store.

Inside the poorly lit corner store, I greeted the cashier, a girl not much older than me. I grabbed a bag of chips, a couple of bottles of water, and a granola bar, then walked to the register.

"Hi, do you know where Waltzlake High School is?" I asked as I swiped my debit card. The girl, with jet-black hair streaked with green, nodded. "Just follow this road until you reach the traffic light and turn left. You won't miss it."

"Thanks," I smiled, taking my receipt.

"New around here?" she asked, smirking.

"That obvious?" I chuckled.

The girl nodded. "Town's pretty small. Most people live further out in the woods."

"Why not just live in town?" I asked, furrowing my brows.

"People around here like their privacy," she shrugged.

I left the corner store feeling confused and wary. Her words didn’t give me much hope for school tomorrow. If this town was as small as she implied, I wouldn't go unnoticed. With only one more year left of high school, my goal was to escape Lauren and Darren the moment I turned eighteen.

I woke up to the sound of my old alarm clock. It was six in the morning, leaving me plenty of time to get ready and walk to school. Lauren would already be at work, and Darren typically slept in until 11 a.m. or later. I crept out of my bedroom and into the bathroom, making as little noise as possible. Darren was an absolute nightmare if you woke him up.

I combed my long chocolate brown hair, noting how different it was from Lauren family's light blonde hair. My heterochromia made me stand out even more, with one eye an incredibly light blue and the other a deep chocolate brown. My grandma rarely spoke of my father, but when she did, she mentioned he had the same condition. I suspected this was why Lauren, my own mother, didn't like me. Something bad had happened between her and my father, resulting in him leaving us.

Every month, Grandma received a mysterious check written out for me, but since moving in with Lauren, she used them for herself and Darren. I looked in the mirror and frowned, feeling like a walking abnormality. At my old school, I had friends, but there were always bullies who mocked my condition. It took a long time to accept and find beauty in my uniqueness.

I slipped on a simple outfit—skinny jeans, a white tank top, and a black jacket—to blend in. Grabbing a granola bar, I left the house and walked to school, following the girl's instructions. By the time I arrived, the parking lot was nearly full. Students hopped out of their cars, heading to the front doors, conversations filling the air.

I merged into the crowd, trying to blend in, and made my first stop at the office, easily identifiable by a large sign hanging from the ceiling. A plump woman in a purple sweater greeted me with a smile. "Are you new here?"

I nodded and gave her a small smile. "Sophia Drake."

"Beautiful name," she said, rifling through papers. "Here you are, Ms. Sophia."

"Thank you," I replied, taking the papers and turning to leave. As I looked down at my class schedule, I slammed into someone.

It felt like hitting a brick wall, but the strong smell of cologne indicated otherwise. I landed on the floor with a thud, and the hallway quickly quieted. Looking up, I saw two very large, very angry twins. They looked like they belonged on a magazine cover rather than at a high school.

The twins had jet-black hair, strong jawlines, and extremely dark eyes. Both were muscular with an athletic build. One had his hair shaved on the sides and back, but long on top, while the other had messy hair down to the top of his ears. Each was drop-dead gorgeous in his own way. A tall blonde clung to one twin's arm, sneering at me.

"What the hell is wrong with her eyes?" the blonde sneered, looking down on me like I was trash.

I barely glanced at her, my eyes flickering between the twins. They glanced at each other, seeming to have a silent conversation.

"It's a condition," I replied without warning, stifling the urge to roll my eyes.

"Fucking freak," the blonde spat. "Watch where you're going next time."

With those words, the twins and the blonde walked away. The twins hadn't said a word to me, and I wasn't sure if that was good or bad. Their cold eyes gave me the sinking feeling they might be my new bullies. Staying to myself was already proving to be a nightmare.

I picked myself up and found my locker, scanning the hallways for any sign of the twins. Some part of me wanted to see them again. After sternly reminding myself to blend in, I headed to my first class, grateful it didn't include the twins or the mean blonde girl. The teacher pointed me to a seat in the back next to a girl with large glasses and curly red hair.

She gave me a small smile. "I'm Kat."

"I'm Sophia," I replied, returning her smile.

"Awesome name," Kat nodded as she doodled on a piece of paper.

"My father picked it out," I shrugged.

"My dad wanted to name me Brady," Kat said with a horrified look, making me giggle.

"Your eyes look awesome, by the way," she complimented.

"Thanks," I smiled. Compliments on my eye condition were rare.

"My childhood friend had the same thing, but only in one eye," Kat grinned.

I spent most of the class talking to Kat and subtly asking about the twins. "Oh, the twins," Kat blushed, scowling at her paper. "Kieran and Ethan."

"Which one is which?" I asked, their names fitting their bad-boy personas perfectly.

"I always get them mixed up, but I'm pretty sure the longer-haired one is Ethan and the other is Kieran."

"Oh, okay," I nodded. Despite my resolve, I couldn't get the twins out of my head. Their cold stares made me feel strange, yet I continued thinking about them.

"I wouldn't mess with them if I were you," Kat warned. "They sleep around, a lot."

"Wasn't planning on it," I shook my head, promising myself not to get involved with them. They seemed into glamorous, model-type girls, the complete opposite of me. I stuck to myself and was often clumsy.

Kat and I made plans for the weekend while making small talk. She worked at a local restaurant and even offered to get me a job as a waitress.

Kat told me she'd give me a ride after school tomorrow for an interview at the restaurant. "It's not fancy or anything, but it's the fanciest we have in this town," she shrugged. "You get decent tips if you know how to be flirty."

I chuckled nervously. "I have no idea how to be flirty."

"Don't worry, you'll learn. It comes with the job," Kat reassured me.

I was definitely worried about working as a waitress. My clumsiness seemed to increase with my nervousness, and the last thing anyone wanted was a waitress spilling drinks all over them.

My day seemed to be turning around when I walked into my next class and saw Kat sitting in the back. We continued our conversation.

"The people here really aren't all bad," Kat smiled. "You'll survive as long as you avoid Jessy and her friends."

"Jessy?" I asked, frowning.

"The blonde girl who hangs around the twins," Tori replied, helping me put a name to the face. Jessy was the supermodel-like girl who called me a freak. Great start.

"I think I already blew that one," I frowned.

"Just completely avoid the twins from now on," Kat advised. "She's with Kieran at the moment and she's super possessive."

I was more than happy to take Kat’s advice, but my luck ran out in my next class, which had both twins. They sat alone at a large square table, and my heart nearly fell out of my chest when the teacher told me to join them. Walking to the back, I tripped over someone's table leg but managed to catch myself, ignoring the snickers from other students.

With my face burning and my stomach doing flips, I sank down at the twins' table, avoiding eye contact until I could calm my thundering heart. I could feel their eyes on me, and I let out a shaky sigh before turning to meet their gaze. Sitting this close to them was both a blessing and a curse. It was a blessing because I had a much better look at them—Kieran was slightly more muscular, but their faces were nearly identical with full eyebrows, long eyelashes, and plump lips.

"Oh look, Kieran," Ethan smirked, his voice tinged with amusement. "It's the little girl with the strange eyes."

Ethan's voice was deep and rough around the edges, causing my voice to catch in my throat. Kieran's lips turned up in a smirk as his cold eyes roamed over me. "This is the girl Jessy was talking about?"

"She's the one who didn't watch where she was going," Ethan smirked at his brother.

They were talking about me as if I weren't there, and I sat silently, trying not to gape at them. Their attractiveness was undeniable, but their attitudes were infuriating. I regretted my instant attraction to the twins.

"I hadn't noticed," Kieran sneered, and I held back the urge to flinch. Despite Darren's frequent drunken berating, the twins' words bothered me more.

"Oh look, Kieran," Ethan smirked again. "The little doll is trying to ignore us."

My heart jumped at the nickname, unsure if it was an insult or a compliment. The way they looked at me scared and enticed me simultaneously.

"Ignoring us will only make it worse for you, sweetheart," Kieran said, his dark eyes burning into mine.

My heart continued to race at the names they called me. This was a game I didn't understand—borderline bullying, yet the names sounded affectionate. I scolded myself for thinking they might like me. Why would two god-like twins be interested in someone like me?

Ignoring them only made it worse. Throughout the class, they continued to make comments, pushing my buttons. I wasn't sure if they wanted a response or an outburst, but I gave them neither. They made me do all the work for a week-long project by myself.

The next class was no better, featuring Ethan, Kat, Jessy, and her friends. Sitting by Kat the entire time was a small comfort, but Ethan continued to smirk and pester me. Jessy's hatred for me was clear, and the more attention Ethan gave me, the angrier she got.

Somehow, I managed to get through the rest of the school day, which consisted of five extremely long classes. Unfortunately, I had both twins in two of them. Gym class, always my least favorite, was even worse with the twins' hot gazes making my uncoordination more pronounced. Luckily, I could sit out until they found me a uniform, but knowing I would start gym on Monday tied my stomach in knots.

A week passed in a blur. Darren was as bad as ever, but I avoided confrontations and his handsy behavior. The twins continued to torment me, both upsetting and confusing me. Jessy and her friends escalated from glares and snickers to mean comments.

On the bright side, Kat and I became closer once I got hired at the same restaurant where she worked, a little Italian place in town. I also made a new friend, Lilian, an athletic girl with sandy blonde hair and large blue eyes.

My first weekend in Georgia began, mostly filled with work. I needed to make up for the money I spent on school supplies and food. Despite everything, I wasn't sure if things were looking up or simply settling down.

"And you're sure you don't mind?" I asked, my voice tinged with embarrassment as I glanced at Kat.

Kat scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Of course not. We work the same shifts anyway. I’ll just have to come in thirty minutes early," she said with a shrug.

When Kat found out I planned to walk half an hour to and from work, she insisted on giving me a ride every day. I wasn't used to people offering help, so her gesture made me feel a bit guilty.

"Let me at least give you gas money every week," I said, fidgeting with the tight uniform we had to wear.

It was my first day of work, a Sunday, and while Saturday was spent finishing the project Ethan and Kieran refused to do, today was slow. Fortunately, the people in this town tipped well, and I only managed to spill things on myself rather than on anyone else. Our uniform was a black t-shirt with the restaurant's logo and tight black slacks, which hid most of my clumsy spills.

Kat and I stepped back inside the restaurant after our thirty-minute break. As I peeked out from the kitchen doors, I noticed more people coming in. It was around 5p.m., and my shift ended in two hours. I was counting the minutes until I could collapse into bed.

My heart sank when Kieran and Ethan walked in with Jessy and another beautiful girl. A sharp pain radiated through me at the sight of them with the two girls, but I shoved it down. Now wasn't the time for my conflicting feelings. They were seated in my section, and I audibly groaned.

Kieran and Ethan looked even more attractive outside of school. Kieran wore a black sweater rolled up to his elbows, dark jeans, and black boots. Ethan wore almost the same thing, but with a leather jacket. I caught myself gawking and quickly stopped. The last thing I needed was to fall into their game.

"What's wrong?" Kat asked, peeking out the door.

"Kieran and Ethan, of course," I sighed.

"I don't know what you did to get on their radar, but I feel for you," Kat said, shaking her head with a sad chuckle.

"I didn't do anything. I ran into them once by mistake, and they decided to make my life hell," I grimaced.

"I'd tell you to go to the principal, but they seem to have everyone wrapped around their fingers," Kat frowned.

I sighed, deciding not to complain further. They wanted a reaction, and I refused to give them one. All I needed was to hold out until I turned eighteen next February and could leave this town.

"Do you want me to wait on them?" Kat asked.

I shook my head. "No, they'll never let me live it down."

I took a deep breath and approached their table with a fake smile, focusing on the girls. Jessy sat next to Kieran, while Ethan had a beautiful raven-haired girl by his side.

"Hi, I'm Sophia, and I'll be your server today," I said, ignoring Jessy's sneer. "Can I get you anything to drink this evening?"

"Sophia. What kind of name is that?" the raven-haired girl snickered, causing Jessy to laugh.

I kept my smile in place. "I'll take water," Jessy sighed. "But I'll need something stronger if I have to look at your freaky eyes for too long."

Having one brown eye and one blue eye made it difficult to find a color that suited me perfectly, but I couldn't fathom what was so 'freaky' about it.

I glanced at Kieran and Ethan, who smirked. They ordered sodas while the girls ordered water. I practically ran from the table to get their drinks.

In the kitchen, Kat and Tyler stopped me. "How's it going with the twins?" Kat asked, frowning.

"Always pleasant," I replied sarcastically.

"Who's always pleasant?" Tyler asked, draping an arm over my shoulder. I stiffened, uncomfortable with his lack of personal space.

Kat huffed, "Why do you have to put your grubby hands all over everyone?"

Tyler smirked, tightening his arm around me. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Kat."

"Vermin," Kat muttered, shaking her head.

Jessy really had it out for me, and I grabbed their drinks, trying to steady my breath as I approached their table. I nearly cheered when I made it without spilling anything.

As I set Kieran's drink down, his hand flicked forward, spilling it. His smirk made my blood boil. "I apologize for that. I'll clean it right up and get you another," I said politely, mopping up the soda.

"Don't be shy, sweetheart. You made the mess," Kieran smirked.

I leaned across the table, my heart pounding, as I cleaned up. Kieran's cologne was intoxicating, earthy with a hint of sweetness.

"Why do you smell like cologne?" Kieran demanded, his eyes flicking to Ethan.

"I don't see why that matters," I murmured, rushing back to the kitchen for a replacement drink.

"You alright, Sophia?" Tyler asked.

"Yeah, Tyler. I'm fine," I huffed, grabbing another drink.

Placing the new drink in front of Kieran, I forced a smile. "Is everyone ready to order?"

Kieran and Ethan looked pissed, and Jessy's nasal laugh echoed from across the dining room. They directed insults my way, but I grinned through it all.

Finally, they got up to leave, and I grabbed the check, retreating to clock out for the day. My eyes widened as I looked at the check. Their bill was almost $70, and they left me a $60 tip. The note at the bottom of the receipt sent butterflies and nausea rushing through me:

"See you soon, doll.

E&K"

I clocked out of work after making a decent amount from tips alone. It would definitely help replenish what I had spent on clothes and necessities. While I was happy to be free from work, going home was another situation entirely.

When Kat dropped me off, Lauren was still at work for another hour. That left me alone with Darren. The moment I walked through the front door, I knew he was completely drunk. He sat in the recliner, watching a fuzzy football match on TV, his face contorted in anger.

"Where the fuck have you been?" he spat, struggling to lift himself off the recliner.

"Working, Darren," I repeated for the hundredth time, trying not to roll my eyes, knowing it would only anger him more. I turned to head upstairs, hoping to escape his drunken tirade, but something he said made me stop.

"Working?" he scoffed, wobbling as he stood. "You were out whoring around like your fucking mother."

This time, I did roll my eyes. If he wasn't drunk all the time, he'd remember that Lauren made me pay for everything myself. I didn't have time to "whore around" when I was busy supporting myself and going to high school.

"Lauren isn't my mother," I snapped, turning to walk up the stairs. His hand wrapped around my wrist and yanked me back. I didn't fall, but I stumbled a few steps.

"Get off me, Darren," I mumbled, my body tensing in fear. The few times he had gotten this close weren't pretty. Darren was always handsy when he was drunk, whether it be abusive or sexual.

"Fucking whore," he spat, his alcohol-tinged breath invading my nose. He yanked me closer, and I nearly gagged at the sight of his sweat-stained shirt. My entire body felt cold with fear. He was much too close for comfort.

I grimaced at the disgusting smell of stale beer and body odor. His grip tightened around my wrist, and I gritted my teeth against the pain.

"I said get off!" I screeched, bringing my knee up between his legs. Darren let out a hiss of pain, releasing my wrist. I could hear his drunken yelling as I ran to my bedroom and slammed the door behind me. I fumbled with the lock through the tears that had sprung up in my eyes.

Once the door was locked, I flopped down on my bed and let a few tears trail down my face. Some days were harder than others, but it would all be worth it when I left this place. Over the years, I had lost hope that Lauren would treat me like her own daughter and instead looked forward to escaping the moment I turned 18.

I stayed on the bed for hours, not daring to move until I heard the front door open and Lauren come inside. Only then did I pull myself off the bed and trudge into the shower. The steaming water hid my tears as they fell freely.

Living with Darren required constant vigilance, always being on guard around him. It was exhausting and left me in a perpetual state of paranoia. I hopped out of the shower feeling completely drained and fell into bed.

Morning came much too quickly. After a few hours of restless sleep, I woke up and changed for school. I put on one of the outfits I had recently bought—a pair of skinny jeans and an off-shoulder long-sleeve shirt. I grimaced at the handprint bruise on my skin and yanked my sleeve down over it.

As usual, my first and second classes of the day were with Kat. We chatted while working on our assignments. My next class, however, was the one I worried about. Kieran's comment about cologne at the restaurant had me confused, but I let it slip from my mind shortly after. Apparently, the twins had not.

Kieran and Ethan both looked irresistible, their hair tousled in that perfect, messy way. Kieran wore a dark blue button-down shirt, while Ethan sported a simple black t-shirt. They sat at our usual table, only this time Ethan was across from Kieran. I grimaced, realizing I'd have to sit next to one of them. Kieran seemed more serious and sometimes scarier, so I plopped down beside Ethan.

Ethan smirked at Kieran, as if he had won a bet. I averted my eyes from the sinfully attractive twins and pretended to be interested in the teacher.

"Did the little doll finish our group project?" Ethan teased, his hot breath curling around my ear. A shudder wracked through my body, and Ethan snickered. I clamped my lips shut and ignored him. Of course, I finished the project. I couldn't let the troublesome twins ruin my grade.

When I didn't answer, Ethan's fingers danced over my shoulder and tickled my collarbone. I sucked in a sharp breath at the tingles that bubbled against my skin under his touch.

"Stop," I hissed, keeping my gaze on the teacher.

I could hear a weird rumbling sound coming from Ethan, and the urge to look became overwhelming. My eyes flickered over to him, noticing a strange glint in his dark orbs.

I couldn't understand these insanely gorgeous twins. First, they chose me to pick on. Second, they wanted a reaction from me. Third, when they finally got a reaction, they seemed pissed.

"Why don't you make me stop, doll?" Ethan grinned, his thick fingers running along my exposed collarbone.

Just then, the teacher walked around, collecting the group projects. Ethan's wandering hand retreated, and I rifled through my binder to find our project. After handing it to the teacher, I nearly jumped from my seat as a large hand grasped my thigh.

Ethan smirked down at me, and I felt my body stiffen. "Where's that feisty little attitude, doll?" he whispered, his voice gruff and too close to my ear.

I bit my cheek, determined not to feed into their nonsense. Whether they got off on acting this way or not, I wasn't planning on encouraging it.

And that's how I spent the rest of the class—sucking in sharp breaths as Ethan's hand traveled where it shouldn't. At one point, he tugged playfully on a strand of my hair. I turned my head to hide the aggressive blush on my cheeks.

I quickly noticed that Kieran was the quiet one. His eyes were glued to me the entire class. When he wasn't staring at me, he was glaring at his brother. I swore I could see jealousy burning in his eyes. It was a shame they wanted to take turns tormenting me.

My next class included Ethan, Kat, and Jessy. It was a love-hate situation. Sitting next to Kat kept Ethan from tormenting me, but Jessy and her friends constantly threw insults my way. For someone who acted invincible, her words hurt a lot.

I had been dreading gym class all day. We were split between volleyball and basketball for the next month or so. Sports were always challenging for me, and as funny as it sounds, the ball always seemed attracted to my face. I chose volleyball since Ethan and Kieran weren't in that group, but to my dismay, Jessy was.

My options weren't great: basketball with the intrusive twins or volleyball with mean comments from Jessy. I'd choose mean comments any day. While the medium-sized gym shirt fit me comfortably, they only had a size small in the shorts. Though I was naturally slim, my hips flared out along with a full bottom, making the shorts ride up my thighs. They looked like they were going to tear at any moment, though the weird mesh material gym shorts were made from was typically strong.

I somehow managed to survive fifteen minutes of dodging the volleyball when something had to happen. Jessy served the ball, and someone on the other team hit it back. The ball was heading straight for my face, and I braced myself for impact. Instead of getting hit, I was abruptly knocked to the ground. My head bounced against the linoleum floor with a sickening crack. A dazed whimper escaped my lips as my teeth clicked together.

"Shit, Sophia. You okay?" Lilian's familiar voice spoke from above me. She offered her hand, and I gratefully took it as she pulled me to my feet. The world wobbled a little, and I knew I'd have a killer headache tomorrow, but I'd survive.

"What the hell happened?" I groaned, feeling the side of my head for any traces of blood. I turned to Lilian's gaze and saw the smug eyes of Jessy, snickering with another girl. She gave me a taunting wave when she caught me looking.

"Jessy happened," I gritted my teeth, answering my own question. I noticed the rest of the class had stopped playing basketball to gawk at what had just happened. My eyes scanned the other kids until they landed on Ethan and Kieran. My heart nearly dropped at their sweaty physiques and tousled hair. What made my blood run cold were the murderous glares they were throwing in my direction.

"Lilian, take Sophia to the nurse," the gym teacher snapped. "Everyone else, get back to playing!" A couple of whistle blows later, it was as if nothing had happened. Lilian walked me to the nurse's office, where we both sat waiting.

"I'll be back in a jiffy, honey. Some poor kid threw up in science class," the nurse shuddered and zipped from the room.

"At least you're not the only one having a bad day?" Lilian giggled.

"Fair point," I chuckled dryly, my head beginning to throb. "At least everyone saw her knock me to the ground."

"It's not like anything will happen to her," Lilian grimaced.

"Why not? Everyone saw her knock me down. Since when is that okay?"

"Since she's Jessy, favorite toy to Kieran," Lilian laughed humorlessly.

I shook my head. "What the hell is up with these people? How can they not get in trouble?"

"Their parents basically own the town," Lilian shrugged. "No one wants to get on their bad side, especially the twins."

"That needs to change," I muttered. "You don't have to sit here with me, you know."

"Any excuse to miss gym is fine with me," Lilian chuckled. "How's your head feeling?"

"Like I need a new one," I said, hoping the nurse would give me some Advil.

"Oh, that reminds me. There's a party this Saturday, and I want you to come with me. I'll invite Kat too after school," Lilian grinned.

"How did that remind you of a party?" I shook my head.

"No clue, but are you interested?"

Lilian was one of those girls who fit into every social group. A lot of her friends were athletic, but she tended to fit in everywhere.

"I suppose," I shrugged. I only worked from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., so I had time to shower and get dressed.

"Great! Wear a dress or something. I've got these heels I've been dying to wear."

"I don't have any dresses, and I'd rather be comfortable," I shrugged. I wasn't planning on drinking or smoking; I was simply going for a friend. The last thing I wanted was to stand out.

"Wait, will the twins be there?" I scowled. I definitely wouldn't show up if they were going.

"They never come to our parties," Lilian scoffed. "They must think theirs are better or something. Who even throws parties out in the middle of the woods? Weirdos."

"That is weird and slightly murder-ish," I agreed.

Lilian had to return to class when the nurse brought a green-looking kid into the room. After looking me over and giving me some Advil, she told me I could head home.

"No thanks," I shook my head. "A friend drives me home, and I really don't feel like walking."

"I can always call your mom," the plump nurse offered with a soft smile.

"No, no. Not necessary. She's working and won't be happy if she gets a call."

"Well, alright dear. Just take it easy and drink lots of water. Wouldn't hurt you to see a doctor," the nurse advised.

"Yup, sure. I'll have a doctor check me out," I lied. There wasn't a chance I'd be going to a doctor anytime soon. I had no idea where the closest doctor was, and I was fairly sure I didn't have any insurance.

I left the nurse's office before she could say anything else and headed to my locker. I sat in the hallway for another half hour before finding the motivation to pull myself from the floor. Going home early wasn't an option. Darren would likely be home, and he'd go straight to Lauren if he saw me.

The bell signaling the end of class rang as I stood from the floor. I moved slowly, flinging my locker open and stuffing my books into my ratty backpack. Once the second bell sounded, kids began flooding from class.

The familiar yet intoxicating scent of cologne and male sweat filled my nose. I resisted the urge to sigh and slammed my locker shut.

"Looks like the little doll is having a bad day," Ethan smirked, his dark eyes flickering to his brother and back to my face. Ethan stood on one side of me, much too close. Kieran stood on the other, his dark eyes looking down at my head.

"How's your head, sweetheart?" Kieran’s voice was rough, but the corners of his lips turned down. Their mind games made my head throb all over again. One minute they insulted me, the next Ethan wouldn't keep his hands off me. Then they'd hurl death glares my way, only to care about my head later.

Before I could say anything, Kieran gripped my chin, turning my face to his. His touch sent a strange shiver down my spine, and I shuddered as Ethan’s breath hit my ear. Kieran’s other hand was surprisingly gentle, confusing me further. He reached out and touched the spot I had slammed into the gym floor. A hiss of pain left my lips under his touch, and I cringed away, pressing closer to Ethan.

"Poor little doll is hurt," Ethan murmured in my ear. "You know what that means, Kieran."

"We'll make you feel better, sweetheart," Kieran’s voice was a rough murmur as his fingers held my chin tightly.

My heart hammered in my chest, and the urge to run was ever-present. I was at war with myself. Part of me wanted to run, while another part basked in their gentle touch and the attention they were giving me.

A yelp of surprise left my lips as Ethan’s hands grasped my waist. His fingers teased the end of my shirt, grazing the soft skin beneath it.

"S-Stop," I muttered, pushing his hands away. He swatted my hands aside effortlessly as Kieran tilted my head.

"Shh," Kieran’s minty breath wafted across my face enticingly. Kieran tilted my head to the side, and I jumped as a pair of soft lips collided with my neck.

"What are you doing?" I yelped as his lips moved down my neck. It felt good, an understatement. Some hidden part of me wanted to stay in this empty hallway with them, no longer plagued by life outside our little bubble.

"Making you feel better, doll," Ethan murmured, his fingers tracing patterns on my bare stomach. Kieran was skilled with his mouth, leaving little pecks and nibbles down my neck and shoulder, making me gasp in both pain and pleasure.

"Sophia?" Kat’s familiar voice echoed down the hall, along with her pattering footsteps. The clock on the far wall showed 2:12 p.m., two minutes past the second bell.

Faster than I could mentally handle, Kieran and Ethan retracted themselves from me.

"Until next time, sweetheart," Kieran murmured in my ear, his light stubble tickling my cheek. I visibly shivered from his rough voice, my eyes fixed on the smirk his full lips formed. I wanted to kiss them both, but I also wanted to shove them away and run.

The twins turned and left me alone in the hall. Kat came into view only a second later, a strange look on her face. Well, the twins were right about one thing. My headache was a fading memory.

Chapter6

The car ride was awkward and silent as Kat flashed me suspicious glances.

"You were awfully red when I found you in the hall," she said, raising an eyebrow.

I wanted to tell her the truth, but I knew it wouldn't change anything. If these twins were as 'untouchable' as everyone claimed, what good would it do? I was still completely torn about what had happened. They had touched me and kissed me against my will. If it was all against my will, then why had I enjoyed it so much? Why did some part of me want it to happen again? I chalked it up to reasonable insanity and the fact that the twins were irresistibly hot.

After claiming innocence a million times, Kat reluctantly stopped interrogating me. I navigated the house carefully, nearly jumping for joy when I saw Darren snoring on the recliner. I flopped down on my bed after finishing some homework and touched my head angrily. It wasn't even sore anymore.

A muffled ringing pulled me from the bed, and I searched for the crappy phone Lauren had gotten me. Our social worker practically demanded Lauren provide me with a cellphone. So, being Lauren, she got me the lowest quality phone possible. I didn't even know they made those chunky flip phones anymore. The only thing this phone was good for was calling people.

"Hello?" I sighed, already knowing who was on the other end. The only person who called this phone was the social worker.

"Hello, Sophia," Melissa, my social worker for the last couple of years, chuckled. "Just calling to check up on you and to see how everything's going."

"Everything is the same," I shrugged. "Not bad, just the same."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Sophia," Melissa sighed. It was no secret Lauren never wanted me. "We've actually just gotten word your father's been sending checks written out for you, and I wanted to see how they were helping."

I snickered. "It's been years and you just got word now?"

"Your father's a pretty private person, it seems," Melissa chuckled. "They should fill up your college fund pretty fast."

"Yeah, if I had gotten any of them," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. Lauren was expecting the next check any day now. No doubt she'd make some snide comment once she received it.

There was a pause on the other end. "You haven't gotten any of the checks?"

"Lauren’s gotten them just fine," I shrugged. I had long ago given up on receiving any of the checks, not that I'd want anything from an absentee sperm donor.

Another long pause.

"I see," Melissa sounded irritated. "Thanks for the info, Sophia. I'll see what I can do to fix that."

"Don't bother," I shook my head. "I haven't gotten any since Grandma died, and I really don't feel like hearing Lauren yell at me."

"If you say so," Melissa sounded unconvinced.

Sleep didn't come easy that night. The twins plagued my dreams as though tormenting me in real life wasn't enough. I woke with ragged breaths. My dream was set at school, where the twins hurled cruel insults my way. After the insults, they dragged me into a closet and picked up where they had left off in real life, leaving me even more confused.

I was jolted from my bed as a crack of lightning split the air. Rain hammered down against the house, and what I once found calming now sounded sinister. I flicked my lamp on and pulled myself from bed. The chill of my room did nothing to cool my heated skin. I could practically feel the goosebumps under the twins' rough touches, as if my dream had been real.

Leaning my head against the cool window in my bedroom, I peered out into the rain. We lived in a part of California that was horribly dry for most of the year. Everything about Georgia was green and wet, and I wasn't sure if I found it unsettling or comforting.

Another crack of lightning sounded, and I watched, entranced, as the lightning sent a flash of yellow across the forest beside the house. Everything was completely dark under the pale light of the moon, but the lightning spotlighted everything before plunging the forest into darkness.

I stood with my forehead against the cool glass, my eyes reflecting the brilliant flashes of lightning. Every now and again, the deafening crack of thunder would sound and make me jump a little. I squinted harder at the forest below me. I couldn't tell if it was the bustling wind or something else rustling the branches. The lightning only provided seconds of clarity before the darkness returned.

I leaped back from the window in shock. The lightning had illuminated the forest, and I wasn't sure what I had just seen. Two very large, furry heads poked from the forest. The fur surrounding their intelligent eyes was dark as night. I had only a glimpse of their elongated snouts, but if I had to guess, I would've said they were wolves or a black bear. Did wolves and bears even live in Georgia? What was most unsettling was how the two wolves seemed to be staring directly at my bedroom window.

I stayed home from school the next day, feigning sickness. In all honesty, I wasn't mentally prepared for school. The relentless dreams had woken me up, and the sight of the strange animals had kept me up for the remainder of the night. I knew Lauren wouldn't notice if I stayed home from school. As usual, Darren was the one to look out for. I was determined to spend the entire day in my room, only sneaking out for the occasional bathroom break.

I clicked the lock on my door and curled back up in bed. I wasn't sure how long I had slept, but I was beyond grateful it was a peaceful nap. My dreams weren't plagued with Kieran and Ethan. The day passed quickly and effortlessly, and once 2 o'clock came around, I got dressed for work. It wasn't a long shift, thankfully. I wasn't entirely sure if Kat would show up to take me to work, especially with me missing school. Surprisingly, Kat’s car pulled into the driveway, and I crept downstairs.

Darren had his attention on some football game re-run, and I darted from the house.

"Where the hell were you today?" Kat frowned. "I wasn't sure if I should pick you up for work or not."

I frowned. "Sorry, had a rough night."

"Did the storm bother you?" Kat frowned, curling a lock of fire-kissed hair around her finger.

I shrugged. "Yeah, it woke me up. I had a hard time falling back asleep. Just needed a break, is all."

"Next time, let a girl know!" Kat scoffed and shook her head.

"I don't exactly have a phone," I pursed my lips. There was no way I planned on pulling out my chunky flip phone. Better no phone than this one.

Kat frowned. "You don't have a phone? Can't you just get your own plan?"

"I'm not eighteen yet," I frowned. "Besides, I need to replenish my savings."

Kat seemed perplexed, and it had never occurred to me that she might be one of the many wealthier families in town.

"Why do you need to replenish it?" Kat frowned.

I chuckled at her confusion. "I've already spent too much money on food, school supplies, and clothes."

"Um, isn't that stuff your parents should help with?" Kat grimaced, confirming my assumption about her.

I sighed. "It's a long story, but I take care of myself."

"That doesn't sound very nice," Kat shook her head.

"Not everyone is," I shrugged, hopping out of her car.

Thankfully, Kat dropped the topic of conversation and started a new one. Complaining about Tyler was one of her favorite things to do. At one point, I almost thought she had some strange crush on him. Kat reluctantly confessed she had dated Tyler two years ago and learned the hard way when he left her for another girl.

The first half of my shift went on perfectly. Around the four-hour mark, I managed to run into another waitress and splatter Ellen sauce all over my dark shirt. The manager working at the time gave me another shirt to change into, but unfortunately, it was short-sleeved. The bruise I had received days ago was already healing, but now it was an ugly yellow color.

I slipped the short-sleeve black t-shirt on in the bathroom, tying my apron around my waist. As I left the bathroom, I slammed into something hard. That something emitted a familiar intoxicating smell, and I stumbled as I tried to stay on my feet. A pair of warm, rough hands held my shoulders, steadying me.

Ethan’s stern face looked down on me, his full eyebrow cocked as I ran into him for the second time.

"Well, if it isn't the little doll," Ethan smirked down at me, his hands falling to his sides. His unruly, tousled hair hung on his head, a strand falling down to just reach his eyes. He looked like the typical bad boy you'd see in all the movies, a type of guy I had never been interested in. Until now.

"Sorry," I cleared my throat and tried to keep my voice even. Ethan and Kieran held some unseen power that made me act like a blundering idiot whenever I was around them.

"You weren't in school today," Ethan pointed out, a serious look on his handsome face.

Anger and irritation flashed inside of me. Ethan and his brother tormented me, and now he wanted to act concerned? It was clear that the approach I was taking had no effect on their behavior. They wanted me to have a reaction? Fine. Maybe that would bore them and end their strange fixation on me.

"I don't see how that's any of your business," I growled at him, glaring into his dark eyes. Compared to Ethan’s large build, I probably seemed like a defensive kitten, but I didn't care. Everything was beginning to weigh on me, and I wasn't sure how long it would be until my sanity left me completely.

I stepped around Ethan and hastily made my way to the kitchen, not daring to search the room for Kieran’s intense gaze. I had been in the kitchen for only six minutes when the waitress I had run into stormed over to me.

"What's so special about you?" she snapped.

I stared at her, dumbfounded. Sure, I had run into her by accident, but I apologized for that.

She looked me up and down with a sour expression. Her hazel eyes pierced my skin with their judgmental gaze.

"What?" I scoffed, reacting much too slowly for her liking.

The waitress crossed her arms over her chest. "You must think you're so fucking great, huh?"

"I literally have no idea what you're talking about," I snapped back at her, grateful when I saw Kat rushing up to us.

"Woah, what the hell, Jenny?" Kat barked at the caramel-haired waitress. "What's going on?"

"I have no clue," I shrugged, trying not to shrink under Jenny's glare.

"This is the second time the twins have come in here asking for her specifically," Jenny snapped. "As if she's fucking special or something."

My mouth went dry as she said that, and my heart hammered unhappily.

"By all means, be their waitress," I forced the words out of my mouth.

A look of surprise followed by suspicion crossed Jenny's face. "I've already tried. They want you."

For a split second, I contemplated quitting my job altogether, but that wouldn't solve anything. Was I really going to let two guys force me from my job? From school? Not a chance.

I left the kitchen with a grumble, my stomach doing flips and my heart racing. I took a moment to collect myself.

"Hello, sweetheart," Kieran smirked as I walked up to their table. Ethan sat on the other side, an identical smirk on his face.

I gritted my teeth together. "What can I get you to drink?"

The two of them ordered sodas, and I stormed away before they could say any more. It took me only a minute, as we weren't very busy today.

It was always much easier handling tables of three or fewer. I hated using those huge trays to carry drinks. One little misstep, and all your drinks would go tumbling over. It was much easier to keep food balanced. Most of my accidents involved drinks.

I set both of their drinks in front of them when Kieran’s rough hand reached out and snatched my arm.

"What the fvck is this?"