Teaching My Bookworm Stepsister

Kapri's P.O.V.

but no boys allowed.

After tucking the box that Megan had given me into my backpack in my locker, we walked to lunch together. Molly and Megan have been chatting about what to do this weekend. Megan wants to have a girls' night tomorrow at Brooke's house. Another private party, "Hey, do you think we should invite Sally?" Molly asked.

I froze.

"Sally Martin?" Megan asked her.

"Yeah, she used to go to school with us when we were kids. She's practically glued to Maverick's side at all times. Maybe she hasn't made any girl friends yet," Molly said.

Why did I have to be cursed with such a sweet best friend?

"Uhm.." Megan trailed off awkwardly.

"If you invite Sally, I am not going." I stated.

"Why?" Molly asked.

"Because she's fake, and I hate her," I declared.

Brooke snorted.

"I didn't know you knew her," Molly said.

"I don't know her that well, but it's clear that she's as fake as they come." I said.

Molly frowned at me.

"I thought we talked about you being rude for no reason," she said.

My jaw dropped as I stared at my best friend.

"No, Kapri is right," Megan said. "Brooke and I can't stand her either."

"Oh.." Molly said.

"Yeah, the girl is a total looney." Brooke said.

Molly gave me an apologetic smile.

"Sorry boo." She said.

"It's fine. I get it." I said.

Which I do. I'm not the most positive person out there. Molly and I have had several talks about it.

The girls started to talk about what to do during our girls' night again. My eyes flickered up to look at Maverick. Sally is leaned over towards him. She might as well be sitting on his lap.

Stupid girl and stupid Maverick.

Maverick's honey brown eyes suddenly snapped at me. Like he could feel me staring at him. He smirked at me, and I frowned at him. Then Sally leaned in even closer to Maverick, and kissed his cheek. Instant sadness gripped my throat. I looked away from them, and down at my food.

I hate having feelings.

"So, how did it go?" Brooke asked me quietly.

I sighed, and stabbed my food.

"I don't know," I answered honestly.

"You didn't ask him?" Brooke asked.

"I tried, but someone had to interrupt us." I grumbled. "She said they had a date after school, which I guess was a lie?" I asked. "I still don't understand. In the end, he agreed.. I think, but then he said he was still taking her home." Ugh! What a giant a.ss face!

"This is frustrating and confusing, and I hate it." I admitted.

Brooke patted my hand.

"I'm sure it is. You said that he agreed though." She said.

"Yeah, after he's done with the girl he has feelings for," I grumbled.

"Not the girl he's in love with though," Brooke said.

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" I asked her.

"What are you guys talking about?" Molly asked us.

My face paled. I turned my head to her. I opened my mouth, ready to give her some kind of excuse, when we heard someone shout from across the room.

"You really look desperate hanging all over Mav like that, ya know." Savannah said to Sally.

Sally's face fell. She looks like she's scared and worried. Which just made Maverick come to her defense.

"Shut up Savannah," he said.

"Yeah, we all know how desperate you are for Mav." Josh chimed in, chuckling.

I mean, he's not lying.

Savannah scoffed.

"Not like this girl." She said. "Maverick, why are you even allowing this wh.ore to be all over you like this? You never treated me that good while we were dating. That was all your stepsister's fault though, wasn't it?" "Me!?" I asked loudly.

What the hell did I do?

"If a wh.ore was what you wanted so badly, then maybe you should have went after Kapri," Savannah said, and then looked at me with a smirk. "Josh already told us all how easy she is."

My jaw dropped.

What? What to.. everything!? I am not a wh.ore first of all. And Josh said what?

I glared at Josh and Maverick. Why am I always in the middle of things? Having feelings for Maverick has done nothing but bring me stress and anger.

"I didn't say that sh,it. Don't lie just because you're not getting what you want, Savannah. And don't ever talk about Kapri that way again." Josh stated sternly.

The scowl fell from my face as my cheeks heated.

"Josh just stood up for you." Molly whispered to me.

All I could do was nod to her. I'm completely shocked that he did. And I'm more sad that it wasn't Maverick coming to my defense.

"Whatever." Savannah said, rolling her eyes. "It's only a matter of time before you get in her pants. Then we'll all know. As for Sally here, I bet she's already given it up to Maverick. Probably all the time. We all know how you are, Mav. You get what you want, and that's that," she said.

That's... true. Maverick doesn't usually give girls more attention than he needs to. He gets what he wants, and then..

Is this why we haven't spent much time together lately? Because he's getting what he wants from Sally? He doesn't... need me anymore.

"If that was the case," Sally spoke up. "Then why is he still hanging around me?" She asked.

Maverick is looking up at Savannah angrily. Sally is smirking behind him as she clings to his arm. See, fake.

"He must have lost his damn mind to be with someone like you. Especially with where you come from. Don't forget Sally, our Daddy's know each other." Savannah said.

What the hell does that mean?

Sally gasped loudly. Maverick turned to look at her. Sally looked at everyone in the lunch room staring at her as tears welled up in her eyes. Fake tears. Anyone could see that she's playing a role.

Maverick stood up, and grabbed Sally's hand. He glared at Savannah, making her shrink back slightly.

"Don't you ever fu,cking talk to Sally again. Or me, for that matter. Your jealousy is blinding you, Savannah. Get over it. Leave the two of us alone," he stated.

Maverick.. came to Sally's defense, but not.. mine.

"Oh, but I don't have to stay away from Kapri anymore? Good." Savannah said, smiling.

Their eyes turned to me.

Uhhh, what? Stay away from me anymore? Did Maverick tell her to leave me alone at some point?

My eyes connected with Maverick's. I don't know what he's going to say next. Part of me hopes that he says something in my defense. That he will come get me, and whisk me away from all the prying eyes.

Sally clung to Maverick's arm, and whispered something in his ear. He pulled his eyes from mine to glare at Savannah one more time. Then he dragged Sally out of the lunch room.

My heart sank as I watched them go. When I looked back at their table, Savannah was smirking at me. I glared at her. If she wants to play games, then fine. I'm not scared of her.

"You okay Kap?" Molly asked me.

"Peachy."

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

I sighed, and slammed my head on the table in the library. I can't focus on my assignment at all. Having a laptop has made this extra class easier. Now it's me that's the problem.

I just can't stop thinking about what happened at lunch. People have been whispering about me for the rest of the day. There are now rumors that I slept with Maverick before he became my stepbrother, because it would be weird if we did now. Some people really believe that Josh and I slept together, because why would someone like Josh come to my defense?

There are even rumors going around now that I've slept with the entire football team. Yup. Apparently, everyone wanted a piece of the nerdy girl.

I sighed again, and decided to just take the assignment home. I got up to put a few books away. I was just about to turn the corner when I heard a few hushed voices.

"Maverick, don't be so upset. They're just rumors."

That's Sally's voice.

"They're saying that you're a who.re Sal." Maverick replied.

He sounds really mad.

"They're saying the same things about Kapri. Worse things actually. And you aren't jumping to protect her." Sally said.

My heart sank. So, Maverick knows what they're saying.

"Kapri can take care of herself," Maverick said.

Tears welled up in my eyes.

I can't believe I was so stupid. Maverick doesn't care about me. He only cares about Sally.

I turned on my heel to literally run away. All so I could smack right into someone else. The other person dropped their books.

"Sorry." I whispered as I bent down to pick the books up.

"It's okay, thank you." He replied.

"Kapri?"

I froze at the sound of Maverick's voice. I pretended not to hear him as I rushed back to my table. I started to put my things back in my bag.

"Kapri, what are you still doing here?" Maverick asked me.

"I have an extra class," I stated.

Maverick must have forgotten already. It's just me anyway. Little ol' unimportant me.

"I know that, but you have a laptop now," Maverick said.

"I needed a quiet space." I mumbled.

"Well, let me take you home then," he said.

"Yeah, let us take you home, Kap," Sally chimed in.

I zipped my backpack up angrily. I opened my mouth to tell them that I'd rather take a ride from a trucker than be alone in a car with the two of them, but I didn't get the chance. "Hey! You're still here."

I turned my head to see Josh jog up to me with a huge grin on his face.

"Brooke said you'd be waiting here. Can I give you a ride home?" He asked.

"No. She's goin-" Maverick tried, but I am not having it.

"Sure, thanks. I'd love to not have to walk home again." I said.

"Again?" Maverick asked.

"Let's go." I told Josh, ignoring Maverick.

"Kapri, don't let this goon take you home." Maverick said.

Finally, I looked up at him.

"I can take care of myself though. Right Maverick?" I stated.

Maverick's eyes fell on mine. He looks like he wants to say something. I want him to say something.

Then Sally clung to his arm again. I shook my head, and slung my backpack over my shoulder.

"Bye Maverick," I said.

Then I walked with Josh out of the school.