Teaching My Bookworm Stepsister

Maverick's P.O.V.

****************

Man, I really didn't want to leave Kapri. After school, and on the weekends are the only times that I ever get to have her all to myself. I don't get to be all over her at school. Maybe that weekend at the cabin wasn't the smartest decision I made. I had a wonderful time, don't get me wrong. It was exactly what I wanted. Minus Sally and our friends. Still, my whole point of taking that trip was to have a weekend alone with Kapri. One where I could pretend we were a real couple. That we were really in love.

It was all pretend. I know that. So why can't I seem to keep myself calm?

Over the last month, I've been struggling to keep myself away from Kapri while we're at school. She's been asking me to meet her places, and I've been whisking her off whenever we can. I love those moments.

Sometimes I can't stop myself from doing things for her still. Taking her snacks when she misses lunch. Asking if she needs a ride home, knowing full well, I'm taking her regardless. Small things that I just can't stop myself from doing. All excuses to just talk to her. I didn't realize before how hard it would be to go back to normal. I thought that it would be no big deal at all. Pretend that all my dreams came true for two days, and then go back to the real world. Things didn't happen that way.

Not only do I constantly want to be with Kapri, but she wants the same. I can tell that her feelings for me are growing. I can see it in her eyes when I ignore her in front of other people. The hurt that shines in those light greens.

I make up for all of it later, but I think it's only a matter of time before Kapri comes clean about her feelings.

What am I supposed to do then? How do I tell her no, and push her away when I don't want to?

I don't know what to do. So I asked Trevor what he thought. If there is one man's opinion I trust with this, it's Trev's.

"Why can't you just tell her you feel the same way? I don't get it. I gave you options the last time we talked." Trev said.

I shook my head.

"I can't do that. Kapri might like me, but.. I've loved her for over a decade. Ever since we were kids she's been the only one for me. My feelings are much stronger than hers. I can't.. I can't tell her all of that." I argued. Trevor rolled his eyes.

"I never said you had to confess your undying love for her. You can just tell her you like her too. Then you two can talk about what to do next. Maybe by the time graduation comes around.. Kapri will be just as crazy in love with you as you are with her." He said with a shrug.

I shook my head again..

"Why not?" Trevor asked. "An honest answer. What is it you're so scared of?" He asked.

What is it that I'm so scared of..?

"I just don't get you." Trevor said. "The girl that you've been in love with all your life, finally likes you back. The two of you are practically in a secret relationship. You know that if you ask her out she's going to say yes. Yet, you're holding back like you're afraid of getting your heart broken."

"I..." I trailed off.

Trevor is right. Why am I acting so scared? There is nothing for me to be scared of anymore.

I spent all of these years making sure that no one could ever touch Kapri, myself included. I finally got the opportunity to be with her. To love and cherish her.

Why am I still holding back?

"Alright fine," I said. "If Kapri ever tells me how she feels, I'll tell her too."

I knocked on Mr. Ackren's door.

"Come in." He called out.

I opened the door, and walked into the small office. Mr. Ackern gestured for me to sit in one of the two chairs on the other side of his desk. I sat down, and put my backpack on the floor. "Do you know why you're here, Maverick?" Mr. Ackern asked.

"My dad just told me that you wanted to see me about college applications," I said.

"Yes, I noticed that you haven't applied for anything," he said.

"I thought my dad would handle it." I replied.

"Well, actually, with all the other students I'm helping, I hadn't even noticed that you hadn't applied. Your grandfather called me to ask what schools your father had you apply to-" "I'm sorry," I said, interrupting him. "My grandfather called you?" I asked.

Mr. Ackern nodded.

"He was concerned about you. Especially when I told him about your grades," he said.

"I thought that my grandfather was no longer allowed that type of information about me," I stated.

Mr. Ackern shrugged as he looked down at a file on his desk.

"He's still listed here for us to allow information to. Signed off by your dad." He told me. "So anyway...."

I tuned Mr. Ackern out as memories started to flood my brain.

*********

"I hope you've learned something from this Maverick," Grandpa said.

"Learned something?" Dad seethed. "His mother just died of cancer. Could you be any more heartless?"

I looked between the two of them as they argued. Mom just died. It's not even been an hour. Grandpa just came in here asking me what I learned.

I don't understand. Was I supposed to learn something from my mother dying? Was holding her hand as she took her last breath supposed to be some sort of lesson for me?

I looked down the hall at the exit. Before they could say anything else to me.. I ran.

I didn't stop running until I was at the park. This is usually the time of day that Kapri is here. I hope she shows up today. I know if I can just see her smile.. That things won't seem as bad right now. She'll make me feel happy. Like she always does. "Hey Mav."

I turned around to see my favourite pair of green eyes. My cheeks heated as Kapri smiled at me. She's so pretty.

"H-hi." I replied.

"What are you doing just standing here?" She asked with her face scrunched.

Just like I knew, all of the bad faded away. As long as I can be with Kapri, everything will be fine.

"Want some juice?" Kapri asked. "Mom made me bring you three since you're always so thirsty." She said as she unzipped her bag.

"Kapri, can I ask you some-"

Before I could finish, someone wrapped their hand around my arm, and yanked me back. I looked up to see Grandpa had ahold of me. Uht oh.

"Hey! You let him go!" Kapri shouted as she ran towards me.

Kapri grabbed my other arm, and pulled. Suddenly, one of Grandpa's body guards snatched Kapri up. She started kicking and screaming. "Let her go!" I shouted.

Grandpa kept a firm hand on me.

"Come with us, and we'll leave her be." He whispered to me.

I stopped struggling. Grandpa pulled me to his car. Then he shoved me inside.

Grandpa didn't speak until the car started driving away. I watched as Kapri screamed and cried for me. I miss her already.

"It's time for you to grow up." Grandpa said. "Your mother is dead, and that.. girl.. She can't do anything for you Maverick. We come from different world-"

"I don't care." I interrupted him. "Kapri is different," I stated.

Grandpa chuckled emotionlessly.

"Different? What would you even know? You're still a child," he said.

I glared at him.

"Listen to me boy," Grandpa said dangerously. "You will not waste your time on that girl. She isn't good enough for you. You will do well in school, go to college, and take over for your father. That is your destiny. Not some trash girl who has a wh.ore for a mother." He said. "Don't talk about her that way! You don't even know her!" I shouted.

"I know more than you think. That girl will never fit in your life. You will never be good enough for her. The faster you learn that, the better things will be." He stated finally. "Now, regarding your mother's funeral...."

*********

"Mr. Penton, are you listening to me?" Mr. Ackern asked, jolting me from my memories.

"Uh, sorry, what?" I asked.

"Your grandfather has asked that you take on a few more assignments to get your grades up. He.. also mentioned something about remembering what he told you four years ago. Do you know what he was talking about?" He asked. How could I forget?

"Uh, no." I said. "I think you should speak with my dad about this. My grandfather.. he isn't supposed to know these things."

"I'll call your father, but until then.. I think we should make a plan. Otherwise, you won't be accepted into any school." Mr. Ackern said.

I'm even more of a fu.ck up than I thought. How could I ever think I was good enough for Kapri?

Four years ago. A few months after that stupid 8th grade dance. The one and only moment I stopped listening to my grandfather. The moment that made me the as.shole I am today.

I was going to confess to Kapri. I was going to find her and apologize about Savannah. I was going to ask her on a date. Just to see what she would say. I couldn't take bottling my feelings up anymore.

That happened to be the week that Grandpa was staying with us while Dad was away. Dad wanted us to spend as much time with family as we could after Mom died. I just wish Dad would have realized that blood doesn't make you family.

Grandpa was having me followed. Before I could make it to Kapri's, he had me brought home. It was the first time since the day my mom died that I talked back to my grandfather. I shouted and yelled, and promised that I would never forgive him. That was the day that Grandpa had shown me exactly what kind of father he was. It was the only time I ever felt bad for Dad.

Grandpa didn't puch me. He just had his body gaurd pull my pants down, and hold me down. Then Grandpa whipped me with the belt he had on until I bled. I remember feeling so weak after. Grandpa told me never to seek that girl out again, and if I did.. She would be the one to pay next.

I kept that secret out of fear. But Dad found out anyway. Jasmyn and Jesse were my little saviors. After that day, Dad apologized to me so much.. He forced Grandpa out of our lives once again, and I haven't seen him since.

Unfortunately for me, the damage was done. It really fu.cked me up if I'm going to be honest. That was why I fu.cked things up with Kapri so badly. I always felt like I couldn't have her after that. So, I stood to the side and watched her live her life. I figured out how to manipulate people with my money. Just like I had watched my grandfather do.

Until Dad married April.

How could I stay away now? Not only do we live together, but.. Dad married April. So what Grandpa said about us never being good enough was a lie. Dad had proven it.

Why couldn't I admit things with Kapri before still? Am I just too damaged at this point?

No.

It's because I understand the truth now. If I had done better.. Grandpa's words wouldn't be true, but.. I made them true.

I will never be good enough for Kapri.