Sally
My heart beat fast against my chest as my new mom punched the number 1-3-6-7 on the door keypad. I watched in silence, my bright eyes wondering who would be on the other side of the cold metal door. Would it be my new father- I mean, my stepfather? Or perhaps my step-sibling?
I swallowed hard, squeezing my chest to calm my racing heart. What’s wrong with you, Sally?! Be calm. It’s been a long time since I’d had anxiety; why was I freaking out now?
The sound of the keypad echoed through the passageway, making me feel like we were doing something secretive, something forbidden. Before I could blink an eye, the door opened before me revealing the beautiful, tidy sitting room.
“Hm,” Mom hummed. “It seems nobody’s home. I thought your father said everyone would be home today. Anyway, I’m glad he gave me the door code.”
She turned to me with a warm smile. “What are you waiting for? Bring your bag inside. I’ll show you to your room.”
I sighed in relief, knowing I wouldn’t have to face them… especially Colby. My new brother, to be precise-my stepbrother. Yeah, that actually happened. And Yvonne, she’s my stepsister.
To understand the situation, my mom, Stella, had met their single father online. They chatted, fell in love, decided to meet a few times, and got married in court. The details aren’t my concern.
Mom led me to a room opposite Colby’s. I knew that because it made sense his window faced Allison’s. Imagine seeing his handsome face every day, possibly shirtless, with his messy black hair perfectly imperfect after waking up. I caught myself smiling at the thought.
“Are you that happy?” Mom’s voice startled me, and I looked up, my smile faltering. My face returned to its usual serious expression.
I glanced up to see that she had already opened the door. Quietly, I took my bags inside and set them aside.
“Do you like your room?” she asked, a smile on her lips which looked exactly like mine, cupid shaped and… pretty.
“You arranged it?” I signed, my hands moving swiftly.
Mom shook her head. “Your stepfather hired professionals to decorate it. The bed is lovely, isn’t it?”
I simply rolled my eyes and sat down on the bed. Truly, it was quite nice. My hands ran over the beautiful covers, and as if Mom knew I wanted to be alone, she closed the door.
I let out a deep sigh, laid my back down on the bed, and fixed my gaze on the ceiling. Just when I thought I’d have some quiet time, Mom suddenly opened the door again.
What now? I thought, turning to face her. However, her pale, worried expression caught me off guard.
After studying her for a few seconds, I sensed something was seriously wrong. “Did anything happen?” I signed, concern etched in my features.
Mom’s eyes welled up with tears. “Oh no, Sally… What are we going to do about your brother?” She almost sobbed, and I quickly stood up, my heart racing.
I signed, my hands moving rapidly almost as fast as my heartbeat. “What happened to Colby?”
“He… he had an accident returning home from rehearsal and was rushed to the hospital,” Mom explained, her voice trembling. “His father and sister are there. No wonder nobody was home.”
I signed urgently, my eyes wide with concern. “What are we waiting for? Let’s hurry!”
Mom nodded, and we rushed downstairs, then into a taxi that sped us to the hospital. My heart racing, I caught myself biting my fingernails. Mom noticed. “Since when did you start biting your nails, Sally?”
I quickly stopped, avoiding eye contact, my gaze fixed on the window.
“You always hated biting your fingers,” Mom said softly. “Don’t pick up Sadie’s bad habits.”
I turned, my eyes flashing a warning. Mom whispered, forcing a weak smile, “Sorry, I won’t mention her again.”
My red-rimmed eyes returned to the window. I fought the urge to chew my nails. Sadie… It had been ages since I’d heard that name. A painful memory I wanted to forget. My biological sister, gone too soon.
The taxi driver’s voice broke my thoughts. “We’re here.” He hit the brakes, and the car halted abruptly.
We stepped out of the taxi, and while Mom paid the fare, I entered the hospital and approached the nurse’s desk. I tapped on the counter, and the nurse looked up, her eyes tired and face distressed.
“Yes?” she asked.
I swallowed hard and signed, “My brother was admitted here.”
The nurse stared at me, her brows furrowed. After a moment, she spoke up, “You can’t talk?” Her tone was laced with annoyance.
I bit my bottom lip and took my eyes in front, wondering why Mom was taking so long. I turned back to the nurse, who rolled her eyes and refocused on the screen. “I don’t understand sign language, miss. Where’s your guardian?”
I tapped the table again, hoping she’d get the hint. If she’d just give me a pen and paper, I could explain. But she didn’t seem to care, and the surrounding nurses were too engrossed in their tasks to notice. And it was bad enough that I didn’t bring my phone along because I was in such a hurry.
The nurse groaned, her eyes flashing with irritation. “I said I don’t understand sign language. Are you deaf too?”
Just then, a massive, veiny, and sweaty hand slammed onto the desk, making everyone jump. I was startled too, my eyes widening as I took a step back.
That’s when I saw him an angry-looking Colby.
My lips parted in shock as I scanned Colby for injuries, but there were none. Thank goodness the accident wasn’t that bad.
The nurse, still frowning, demanded, “What’s the meaning of this?”
Colby’s voice was laced with anger and hatred. “Apologize.”
The nurse’s lips curled in disgust. “Excuse me?”
He swept his arm across the table, sending papers and equipment flying. The nurses gasped, trembling with fear.
“Apologize now,” Colby growled, his phone at the ready. “I caught everything on camera. You wouldn’t want me to post it, would you? Who’d end up in ruins here, Miss Rude?” His eyes blazed with anger.
I blinked, taken aback by Colby’s ferocity.
The nurse begged, “No, wait! Please,”
“No, wait please!” she begged, her voice trembling as Colby raised his phone.
The other nurses seemed to exhale collectively, relieved that she’d made the right choice.
The nurse’s eyes locked onto mine, filled with shame and regret. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Colby barked, “Is that all? What the fuck are you apologizing for? Lay it all out!”
The nurse gulped, nodding before turning to me with a remorseful gaze. “I apologize. I’m deeply sorry for… for everything. I should have welcomed you warmly instead of being cold. I shouldn’t have called you deaf. I should have tried to understand you or offered alternatives.”
I nodded and signed, “It’s alright. I forgive you.”
She looked at me, her eyes widening in confusion.
“She says if you do that again, she’ll make sure you regret it, so you’d better keep your eyes at your back,” Colby spoke up.
My eyes widened, and I shook my head vehemently, waving my hands in front of her face. I never said that! I wished I could scream, but no words left my lips.
I turned to Colby, anger etched on my face, but he seemed unaffected. Instead, he grabbed my hand and started pulling me away.
I whimpered, trying to wriggle my hand from his painful grip. At one point, I began hitting his wrist, but he didn’t let go. When we reached an empty elevator, he pushed me against the wall, my back hitting it with a force that caused me to let out a small moan.
Then, he cornered me against the wall, his face mere inches away from mine, his hands locking me in place, leaving me no room to escape.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I signed, my brows furrowed. I didn’t care if he understood me or not.
“Why did you let her speak to you like that?” he snarled. “I thought you always stood up for yourself.”
“Not your business. Now let me go.”
Before anything else could happen, the elevator doors opened, and a crowd of people rushed in. As they pushed past us, Colby and I were shoved together, our lips colliding and our bodies smashing against each other.
Damn! My eyes widened at the sensation of his lips against mine… and why the hell could I feel a growing bulge against my jeans?