Teaching My Bookworm Stepsister

Kapri's P.O.V.

That's really what Josh wanted to ask me? They made it seem like it was something completely different. I mean, look at how angry Maverick looks. Boys are stupid.

"Sorry Josh," I said. "Hayden already asked me, and I told him yes."

Which wasn't a lie.

Earlier that day -

"Hey Kapri, you on your way to lunch?" Hayden asked as he jogged up to me.

"Uh, yeah." I replied awkwardly.

"Cool, wanna walk together?" He asked.

"Sure." I said as I turned to the lunch room.

Hayden started talking, but honestly, I was having a hard time paying attention. My mind is just stuck where it usually is these days. On Maverick.

I wonder what it is he wants to ask me. Part of me kind of hopes that he'll ask me to homecoming. Not that that would be possible. I mean, everyone thinks we're brother and sister. It would be ridiculous to think that Maverick would ask me that. So, what is it Maverick wants to ask me? My brain has been racing since this morning. I want to know so badly I feel like I could burst.

"Uh, Kapri, did you hear me?" Hayden asked.

I shook my head before looking at him.

"Sorry, what did you say?" I asked him.

Hayden gave me a shy smile. He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. Then he dropped his arm, and looked me in the eyes.

"I was wondering if you wanted to go to homecoming together?" He asked.

My eyes went wide with shock. Hayden wants.. to go to homecoming with me? Someone.. wants to go to a school dance with me?

I stared at Hayden with my mouth open.

What should I say? Do I accept? I haven't been to a dance since the 8th grade.

I wanted to go with Maverick if I were going to go. That's just wishful thinking though. Maverick won't ever ask me to go to a dance with him. Even if things were different, he wouldn't.

"Uhm, well, I think that Maverick and I were going to ditch and do a family thing." I said.

Hayden gave me a confused look.

"You sure? Cause I heard that Sally girl who's always all over him, say that they were going on a weekend get-a-way. I heard her telling Savannah earlier that that was why she was leaving early today. To prepare for it, I guess." He told me. What..? Is that what Maverick wanted to talk to me about later? Does he want to ask me if it's okay with me?

A mix of anger and sadness settled into my chest. Maverick, that fu.cking jerk. Why do I have to be so stupid and get my hopes up?

"Okay. I'd love to go with you, Hayden."

"That goofy a.ss kid asked you before me?" Josh asked.

I chewed on my bottom lip.

"Yeah.. earlier today.. Before lunch," I said awkwardly.

Josh chuckled. He ran a hand through his hair, and his eyes flickered at Maverick behind me. Then Josh looked back at me with a smile. "Just.. don't have too much fun with him. Or I'll have to break things up." He teased.

""Uhm.. okay." I said.

Josh gave me another sad smile. He turned away, and I watched him walk out of the library.

Wow, I actually feel really guilty. Josh looked so sad. I didn't think he would care that much honestly.

I mean, sure, Josh texts me throughout the day. We never talk about anything important though. My replies are few and far between too.

Does Josh.. really like me?

"Were you guys really arguing about Josh asking me to homec-"

My words were cut short when I turned around to face Maverick.

Oh no, he looks mad. Like really mad. Like... way mad.

Maverick's hands are balled into fists, his knuckles white. I can see his jaw ticking as he grinds his teeth together. He isn't actually looking at me, but through me. "Maverick, are you okay?" I asked.

Instead of answering me, Maverick stormed past me. He bumped me to the side, and started marching to the exit.

"Where are you going?" I asked him.

"To find that fu.cking a.sshole." Maverick said angirly.

The tone of his voice honestly scared me. I rushed to step in front of Maverick. He tried to walk around me, but I put my hands on his chest, and gripped his shirt. ""What a.sshole?" I asked.

Maverick finally met my eyes. Just to give me the dirtiest scowl I've ever seen from someone.

Okay, ouch, but I'll get over it.

""Hayden. Who the fu.ck else?" he said.

"What? Why?" I asked.

"Why?! You're really asking me that right now?!" Maverick said, practically shouting.

I looked around us, and thankfully the librarian isn't in here right now.

"Lower your voice." I seethed lowly.

"Why? Because we're in the library? I don't give a flying fu.ck-"

"I know you don't care about where you are," I interrupted. "You never do. But you will not talk to me that way," I stated.

Maverick glared down at me as his jaw ticked.

"Move out of my way, Kapri," he ordered.

I frowned up at him.

"N-no." I said.

Maverick's jaw ticked again.

"I th-thought we were going to get food. W-wasn't there something you wanted to talk to me about?" I asked, trying to distract him. Sadness settled in Maverick's eyes, which shocked me.

"It doesn't matter anymore," he said as he tried to push past me again.

I made sure to block him.

"It matters to me." I rushed out. "I want to know. I've been thinking about it all day."

Maverick scoffed.

"Were you?" He asked snidely. "Didn't stop you from saying yes to a date with another guy."

"It's not like you were going to ask me." I snapped back.

Maverick stared down at me with no emotion. I glared up at him as tears welled in my eyes. What am I even upset about?

I removed my hands from Maverick, and took a step back. This is so ridiculous. I'm making a complete fool out of myself for my life-long bully.

"Do whatever you want, Maverick. It's not like you actually care, so stop pretending like you do." I spat.

I walked back to the table where my stuff was at. I started shoving my things into my backpack. Then I grabbed the books I had out to put them away. All for Maverick to snatch them from me.

"What the fu.ck is that supposed to mean, Kapri? It's not like I actually care? What do I have to do to show you that I do fu.cking care? I've forced you to hang out with me and Sally so you can see there's nothing between us. I spend every second of my free time with you. I stopped sleeping with other girls. I let you sleep in my bed every night. I take you to school every day. What more do you want from me?" He ranted.

Tears started to fall from my eyes. Maverick is so.. angry, but.. I don't understand. Is he mad at me because of all the changes he's made because of me?

What was I even thinking getting involved with Maverick like this?

"I-I-I d-don't care what you do! I don't want to hang out with you and Sally. I don't want you to take me home anymore. I don't want any of your stupid free time. Or to sleep in your stupid bed, or to even see your stupid face ever again! Sleep with who you want! Be with who you want! I don't care! I don't care! I don't care!" I shouted.

By the time my little rant was done, I was a sobbing mess. I've never felt so stupid and embarrassed in my life. This is a million times worse than anything Savannah ever did to me.

Maverick never cared about me. I let all those o*****s, all that aftercare get to my head. He probably does that for every girl. I bet he does it for Sally too.

"Kapri.." Maverick said softly as he reached out to me.

I swatted his hands away.

"Don't touch me!" I shouted.

I tried to wipe my tears away, but they wouldn't stop coming.

"J-j-just g-go. G-go get Sally. H-have a great weekend away with her." I said.

"What are you talking about?" He asked.

"I-I know what you wanted to a-ask me." I blubbered. "You wanted t-to ask me i-if I cared that you and S-Sally went off f-for the weekend. Well, I don't care! Things between us are over. Forever. I want nothing to do with you."

I ended up burying my face in my hands. I can't stop crying. I'm shouting in the library. I'm a complete mess.

Maverick wrapped his arms around me, and this time I let him. I let him pull me to his chest. Then I clung to him like a desperate idiot. Like Sally.

"Kapri-"

"I hate you." I interrupted him. "I hate you so much."

"I know baby." Maverick said softly.

Why does he do that? Why does he call me that sometimes? Why does he even bother comforting me? Why do I have to have feelings for him?

"Please don't do it." I blubbered into his chest. "Please don't leave me for the weekend. Please don't go with her."

I hate myself for begging him. For wearing my emotions on my sleeve like this. Especially for Maverick Penton.

"I don't know who told you that, but it wasn't true, Kapri. I never had intentions of doing anything with Sally this weekend." He told me.

I froze. After a moment, I pulled back to look Maverick in his eyes. What?

"You weren't?" I asked.

Maverick shook his head, and started to wipe the tears from my cheeks.

"No Kapri," he said. "Come with me, let me do things how I had planned to. Please."

""Okay." I sniffled.

I'm an even bigger idiot than I thought.