Teaching My Bookworm Stepsister

Maverick's P.O.V.

**********

This past month has been hell.

Wait, has it been a month? Possibly longer?

I stopped keeping track. It doesn't matter. Nothing matters.

My grandfather has wormed his way into my life once more. He's brought all of my grades up, even my SAT scores. I have no idea how he was able to do it, but.. It only makes me more scared. Just how far does my grandfather's power reach? Could he really hurt Kapri? Worse than just ruining her future?

I hate myself for dragging Kapri into this. She's too good to be a part of this. Grandpa was right when he said that Kapri and I were from different worlds.

Kapri is pure light. Innocent, sweet, caring. And I am nothing but darkness. Grumpy, manipulative, toxic. Nothing good would come of me reaching out to her.

That didn't stop me from getting as much information as I could about her. Of course, Brooke and Megan refuse to tell me anything. The only information I get is from Trevor. Which isn't a lot.

Kapri seems to be dealing with her heart break well thankfully. I watch her during school when I can. I can tell that she isn't her normal self. She doesn't smile as much as she used to, and it doesn't reach her eyes when she does. It's obvious to me that she's still dealing.

I wish I would have never fallen in love with her. Kapri would only be worried about school. She wouldn't be heart broken right now.

I know that Kapri has been hanging out with Hayden and Josh. I know that she was tutoring Hayden at least once a week. Although, that has stopped.

Josh hasn't though. The prick actually had the audacity to fu.cking punch me when he found out I broke things off with Kapri. I guess that a.sshole really does have feelings for my nerd.

Kapri deserves better, but I have no excuses to stop her from being with anyone she wants now. Hell, it might help her move on from me. At least she would be happy, and away from my grandfather's clutches.

However, Kapri and Josh haven't seemed to make any progress. I know that he sits with her after school every day. I've even heard that he actually does his own school work too. Josh also takes Kapri home every day.

Yet, it seems nothing more has been going on between them.

I have been coming to school every day. I walk in, chat with people, and as soon as that first bell rings, I hide away somewhere. I don't go to any of my classes. I do go to lunch, only to see Kapri. As soon as school is done, I leave.

I don't take Sally home anymore. I don't talk to anyone as much as I can help it. I just go to Brooke's house and be alone.

Exactly how it should be.

Why can't I just let Kapri go? It would be so much better for the both of us. I just.. can't.

I love her too much.

**********

For the last two weeks, Kapri has been acting differently. Weird. Not.. herself.

I noticed it the day she bumped into Sally. Kapri didn't even look up. She didn't even acknowledge Sally. It was like... she wasn't even there.

I started to watch her closer, and it's been harder than ever. Kapri has started to dress like she did last year, possibly worse. She's right back in baggy jeans and plain hoodies. The hood is always pulled up, hiding her beautiful face. She never wears her pretty hair down anymore.

Brooke brings Kapri to school every day, but something weird is going on between them. Kapri just gets out of the car, and goes straight into the school. She doesn't wait for Brooke, even when Brooke tries to catch up to her.

Kapri never looks up from her feet, but I see her. I see the dead look in her eyes even though she refuses to look at anyone. I see the dark circles under her eyes like she hasn't slept in days. She even looks paler. What is going on with my nerd? What happened to create such a change in her?

I watch Kapri during lunch, and I know she can feel my eyes on her. Just like always. But she doesn't ever look at me. Kapri just pushes her food around on her plate. She doesn't actually eat.

Does she ever eat? Has she lost weight? It's impossible to tell with those baggy clothes.

Kapri also hasn't been going to classes. I don't know where she goes, but I know she isn't in class. She doesn't stay after school. I know that she told Josh to leave her alone.

Because he nearly beat my a.ss over it. I had no idea what he was talking about. But he blamed me for Kapri not wanting to see him anymore.

Just what the hell is going on with my nerd? Should I ask her? Would she even tell me? I can talk to her without Grandpa finding out, right?

I was walking through the halls when I heard some teachers talking. I ducked into the gym, and hid in the bleachers. I heard a noise coming from the other end of the bleachers. I looked over to spot someone in a black hoodie. Kapri?

I walked down to the other end. There Kapri is, sitting down with her back to the bleachers, staring at the wall. When I walked up to her, she only looked at my shoes.

"I'm not going to class." She stated.

"Then why did you come to school?" I asked.

"Because Mom made me. I don't get why. If she's so scared to have me out of her sight, then she could at least let me stay home." She said.

I frowned, and crouched down to Kapri's face level. She turned her head before I looked into her eyes.

I miss her pretty green eyes.

"What do you mean that she's too scared to have you out of her sight?" I asked.

Kapri only shrugged.

"Kapri. Answer me." I ordered.

I saw her bottom lip tremble. When she still wouldn't answer me, I grabbed her chin, and forced her eyes to me.

Kapri flinched like I had burned her. She jumped back. The reaction shocked me.

"I.. I'm sorry Kapri.. Are you alright?" I asked her.

"Don't touch me." She said softly.

"Why not?" I asked.

"I'm too dirty." She mumbled.

"Dirty?" I asked.

Kapri pulled her knees to her chest, and buried her head in her knees. She sniffled, letting me know she was crying. What the hell is going on with her?

"Kapri.. baby.. tell me what's going on with you." I demanded softly.

Kapri lifted her head. Her eyes flickered to mine, and all the breath left my lungs. She looks worse than I thought. Where the hell did that dead look come from?

Kapri's bottom lip trembled. Tears streamed down her cheeks. I reached out to touch her, but I didn't get a chance. "Don't." She whispered as she shut her eyes. "Please don't."

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because I don't deserve it," she said.

"Kapri, what are you talking about? You deserve the world baby. Why would you say something like that?" I asked her.

Kapri opened her eyes to look at me. She opened her mouth to speak, but she didn't get to say anything.

"Kapri! I know you're in here again." We heard Molly say.

Kapri looked away from me. I stood up just as Molly and Brooke came around the corner. Molly glared at me. She marched up to us, and pulled Kapri up by her arm. Molly didn't say a word to me as she dragged Kapri out. "Maverick, I think we should talk." Brooke said.

My eyes snapped at her.

"Hell yeah we need to fu.cking talk. What the hell is going on with Kapri? She's like a completely different person. Like a zombie." I said angrily.

Brooke looked at the direction that Kapir and Molly had just left in. Then she turned to me. There were tears in her eyes, which shocked me. I've never seen Brooke cry.

"I don't know Maverick. I'm worried about her. I have no idea what's going on, but.. Whatever it is.. it's affecting Kapri badly. She never eats or sleeps. She never comes out of her room. Not even for Jas and Jes. Every time I manage to break into her room, she's locked in her bathroom with the water running. For hours Maverick. She won't even look anyone in the eyes anymore. Anytime someone touches her, she freaks out. I'm scared, Maverick." She rushed out.

"What?" I asked. "What the fu.ck! What's happened? Is this.. because of me?" I rambled.

Brooke shook her head.

"Kapri was upset after what you did, you a.ss. That's true, but.. she was okay at least. She was trying to go back to normal. This.. it's different." She said.

Then Brooke sighed heavily.

"I don't know what it is, but I know that your dad and April know. Whatever is going on, it's some kind of family thing. Something really bad. Liam and April won't tell me, but maybe they'll tell you. Maverick, I'm begging you. I don't know why you broke Kapri's heart when you're very clearly in love with her, but.. As your best friend, as someone who cares deeply for the both of you, I'm begging you... Do something. At this point.. I don't know what Kapri will do." She begged.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

Brooke huffed.

"You saw her. I'm sure she spoke to you. This is worse than just depression, Maverick. Whatever her mom told her.. Kapri doesn't feel like she deserves to live at this point. So, do what you do best. Figure out what the fu.ck is going on with Kapri." She ordered. I balled my hands into fists. Oh, I'm going to find out exactly what the hell is going on.