Surviving Dean

Flora Greenhouse

I was sitting in the kitchen reading my book when my mom walked in. I saw it in her eyes the moment everything was changing. She sat down next to me. I put my book down next to me. Everything she wasn’t saying was hanging in the air.

“Baby. There’s something I need to tell you,” my mom spoke silently. She took my hand in hers. I knew at that moment it was serious. I started to get nervous.

“What is it, mom?” I asked, starting to get worried. She held my hand tightly. She pressed a kiss to my palm.

“It’s nothing bad,” she promised. ” As you know I have a new boyfriend,” she states, cautiously. Don’t tell me she going to tell me what she’s going to tell me. Please. Please. I haven’t ever met him before. I would hate to have to move into his apartment to finish out my senior year. Please, don’t do this to me, Mom. Instead, I don’t say that and I let her continue. There was nothing I could say to my mother. No matter what she would do whatever she pleased.

I nod. She continues, “We’re getting married,” she exclaims. I smiled to pretend I was happy and I was happy for her. I was just scared for this new chapter in our lives. I never met them before. I knew about them, of course. I knew he had a son and that he was rich. That’s it. I took a breath and let the information sink in.

“I’m happy for you, Mom” I replied, her smile grew. She wrapped me in a hug and stood off the couch.

She turned towards me and told me, “There going to come later to celebrate the news. Please, be ready,” she pleaded with me. I nod. I waited until she walked out of the room to drop my faked smile. I can’t believe this is happening to me. What does this mean for me? you only have to deal with this for a year, Flora. Then, you’ll be out of here.

I took my book from the table and walked up to my room. My room was the first room across from the stairs. I had my bathroom to the right because it’s always just been my mom and me. Everything is going to change. I might have to share a bathroom with my stepbrother. Ew. I shake off the thought as I walk into my room. I put my book on my desk and head to the shower.

I look in my mirror and tell myself, “Everything is going to be okay, Flo. There’s a chance that Daniel and his son will be nice,”

I hold on to that hope for dear life.

I walk into my room fully clothed in my best dress attire. I decided on a black sundress and some Converse sneakers. My natural curls are down on my shoulders. I sat down at my desk until my mom called for dinner. I was a few pages lost in my book when I heard movement at my window.

There’s a fucking body coming into my window. I immediately get up and back away. I hoped it wasn’t a fucking stranger trying to rob us. I held my book in my hand like a weapon. “Are you going to hit me with a book?” he questioned with a contagious laugh. His voice was heavily accented.

“Who the hell are you?” I asked, avoiding his question. I know it sounds stupid I was using a book to protect myself, but it was the only thing I could think of at the moment. I still held the book in my hands ready to hit him. He looked me up and down. Then, his eyes rested on my tits.

I immediately covered my tits with my arms. He chuckled again. Why isn’t he answering my question? “Who the hell are you?” I asked again.

“It doesn’t matter who I am, love. You and your mom will be gone by year’s end. I would rather skip the pleasantries,” he replies with a smug smirk. This is Daniel Ledger’s son? He’s such an asshole.

“You could have used the front door,” I yelled at him. “You almost gave me a heart attack,”

“What fun would that have been? and I see that. You might want to invest in a different kind of weapon for intruders,” he teased. I playfully hit him in the shoulder. “Hey,” he screams. I laughed. He followed laughing with me.

I took that moment to drink him in. I knew why his father named him Dean. He had eyes like James Dean. His skin was angelic and his body was built and practically bursting out of his dressy shirt. I could see his tattoos climb his neck. He screamed dangerously, but all I saw was goodness. Is it that wrong for me?

“Hey?” I asked, bringing me back into the room. “Do you want to get out of here?” He questioned. He had a hopeful look in his eyes and I could tell he was hoping I was saying yes.

What the hell? What’s the worst thing that could happen? I nod. He smiled at me. One problem is how are we going to get out of here undetected by our parents.

Good choice, princess,” he replied. He points his head towards the window. I have never climbed out the window before. I hesitate.

He turns back towards me like he can feel the hesitation. I looked at him nervously. He gave me a comforting smile. Then, I instantly feel a little more brave. I can’t believe I’m trusting this random stranger. In turn, freaking out my mom, but she threw this at me so maybe this is what she deserves. What’s the worst that could happen?

“Come on, Princess. I promise I’ll catch you if you fall,” he states, in a teasing-like tone. I rolled my eyes but then followed him down the fire escape. I didn’t look down I knew I would get nervous.

“Almost there, princess” he states. His voice sounds so far away or maybe it’s my mind playing games. I’m gripping the bars with all my might. I know he’s probably laughing at me right now, but I don’t care.

When I got to the end I had to jump even though it was a few feet away I was nervous. Then I felt him wrapping his arms around my legs. “What the hell are you doing?” I yelled, gripping the bars. I was afraid he would drop me. I wouldn’t trust him with my life.

“Trying to help you. Would you please let go?” he asked, with a soft expression on his face.I finally looked down at him. He had me gripped tightly in his arms. I let go and prayed he wouldn’t let me fall. Moments later, my feet were on the ground. “See what a little of trust gets you?”

“Oh, I don’t trust you as far as I can throw you,” I snarked back at him.

“Good,” he replied with a Cheshire cat smile and looked away biting his lips. I felt butterflies in my stomach when he looked at me like that. Stop it. He’s your stepbrother, Flo. Knock it off. I shake it off. We’re in the parking. lot. I looked behind him at what I assumed was his Dodge Challenger sitting next to my mini copper. “Are you ready?” he asked.

“As ready as I can going off with a stranger” I answered, nervously.

“Whatever you say, Princess,” he replies. I walked behind him and got into the passenger seat. I was surprised my mom hadn’t realized that we left yet. She’s going to be so fucking pissed. That serves her right for throwing this at me.

He climbed in and turned me. “Are you cold,” he asked me as he looked me up and down. I was shivering. It was cold in New York and I still decided to wear a fucking dress. I wasn’t expecting to leave my house today.

’No,” I lied. He chuckled and turned the heat. I moaned as the hot air hit me. I bit my lip closed. Shit. He just looked over at me and smirked. I was glad he didn’t make fun of me. I looked out the window as we turned into the main road. I didn’t know where we were going, but it made it more exciting. My New Year resolution was to be more open to possibilities.

The car was in complete silence. I decided to take it as a good thing. I knew Dean was a guy of a few words. The fact that he isn’t making fun of me for asking me questions about myself makes me feel free. I don’t have to be Flora, the book nerd, who has good grades and whose mom is an actress. I get to be fearless, Flora. The girl who makes bad choices and hangs out with guys like Dean.

“My friends are at a cabin in the woods an hour from here. They are having a little party. Do you want to go?” he questioned, searching my eyes for an answer. When he comes up empty he waits for my answer.

“Come on, love. Live on the dark side with me for a bit. I promise you, you won’t regret it,” he promises. I don’t trust his promises, but something in me is telling me to trust him. I hate that part of me. My head is telling me to run, that the only thing he is, is trouble. So why can’t I listen to my mind?

Instead, I nod. He hits the gas pedal hard sending me hard into the back of my seat. I held on tightly to my seat. “Don’t tell me you have never sped before?” he questioned. I stayed quiet. He threw his face back in laughter. I hit in the shoulder and turned my head towards the window willing myself to calm down.

The trip was cut down by 30 minutes, but the whole time I had this anxiety we would get caught by the police. Dean was smart only taking the roads where there was no traffic or using back roads. I knew he had done this before. We pulled up to a cabin in the woods next to a lake. I could see the cabin and the lake from here.

I got out of the car and everyone started staring at me whispering. Dean came to my side and walked with me towards the crowd of people. Everyone was sitting in a little spot next to the lake full of chairs and a fireplace.

As we approach a guy walks up to him and greets him with a quick swipe of a hand. As we approach everyone else. They greet Dean and then, they stare at him to introduce me.“Oh yeah, This is my new stepsister.”

“Flora greenhouse,” I say. I realized he never even asked my name. He shyly wipes his mouth like he’s embarrassed. Never thought he would feel embarrassed.They all greet me with a shy smile introducing themselves all one by one. Love, Garrett, Nate, Allie, Rachel. Except for one girl who is throwing imaginary daggers at my head. I assume she’s his girlfriend.He leads me to an empty chair and sits next to me.

They talk among themselves as I space out. It was extremely chilly here, especially because we were next to the water. The only thing I could think about was the fact that I was freezing. I felt the warm feeling of a jacket cuddled against my shoulders. I look at Dean who took off his jacket and put it on my shoulders.

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said. “You’re going to freeze.”

“My dad would kill me if I let my stepsister die of hyperthermia. Also, I didn’t know you cared so much about me, Princess,” he teased, with a smirk. I blushed. I hoped he thought it was from the cold. He looked away from me and cut into the conversation again. I found myself smiling at myself. I need to get out of his space. I think it’s going to my head.

I stand up as soon as I do he’s glances fall on me. I leaned into his ear and whispered, “I need a drink.”

“I can get it,” he says. trying to stand up. I push him to sit back down.

“I got it. I’m not going to die if you leave me alone for five seconds,” I replied, teasing him. He laughed, but an expression I can’t figure out replaces the smile he had a few seconds ago. I walk away from him before he can try to talk his way into coming with me

I walk into the kitchen there are not any people and I thank the universe that I can finally be alone for a moment to think. I think about all the decisions I made the past few hours that I met Dean. Am I stupid for coming here?

“Hey, are you new here?” someone asks from behind me. I shrieked and jumped a few inches. I relaxed when I saw his apologetic smile. I need to stop being so jumpy. It scares off the cute boys. He doesn’t seem scared off though. Just a little nervous. Which is so cute.

“I’m so sorry,” he apologized with a nervous chuckle. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s okay,” I replied. “Yes, actually. The first time,”

I smiled back at him. I see the nervousness leave his body. He stood confidently towering over me. I bet other girls would be frightened by his height difference from them, but me. I liked it. I liked his brown hazel eyes, I loved his brown messy curly hair, I liked his long denim jeans and a down shirt that complemented his eyes.

“Wow. That’s pretty awesome,” he exclaimed. “Dean doesn’t usually bring more people into the fold. That means you’re pretty special.”

I nervously laughed. “What is this? A gang?” I joked. She nervously laughed with me, but there was something in his expression I couldn’t place.

I opened my mouth to ask him what his name was when I was being pulled by the arm by someone. I turned and looked at Dean. He was staring at the guy I was talking to sending daggers his way. I tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong. I gave the guy an apologetic smile.

When we were alone in a room together, I screamed at him. “What the hell is wrong with you Dean?“He was completely unfazed and smiling. I hit him in his chest. “If you think you can tell me what to do because you’re my stepbrother. You are so fucking wrong.”

He started laughing at me. I hit him in his chest again and that’s when he realized I wasn’t playing. “You have no idea what’s going on because you live in your pretty normal bubble where nothing bad ever happens to you, but the reality is that there’s always danger lying in wait for girls like you who think everyone is their friend,”

A friend of his taps him on the shoulder before I could reply. “It’s time,” he says, happily. Time for what? what the hell is going on? Dean holds onto my arms and practically drags me outside. Everyone is outside in their vehicles exiting the cabin and heading to god knows where. What isn’t he telling me?

He’s leading me to his car. When we get there, he opens the door for me. I sit down in the front seat. As he sits down in the driver’s seat. I yelled, “What the hell is going on, Dean?” I had a nervous feeling that eating away at me.

I looked over at me and said, “You, ’ll see soon enough. Just relax”

That did not help me calm down. I took a breath and tried to relax. He wouldn’t put me in danger, right? right? breathe, Flo.

Before long he was speeding down the street and I was holding on for dear life. He stopped at the beginning of a long roadway. There were other cars next to ours and girls in slutty outfits holding a flag. This is not what I think is it?

He looked to his left and his right with a happy smile. On his right was the guy I met in the kitchen on his right was Garrett. As the lady with the flag in front of me held up the flag. He held the gas and the break. The car let out a long roar. “Let me out, Dean,” I cried to him. He ignored me. “Let me out, Dean,” I cried to him again, but it was no use.

The lady in front waves the flag down signaling for them to go. Dean let go of the brake and the car flew in front. I held on for dear life waiting for this to be over. Garrett was head, Dean was second about to cross Garrett and the guy in the kitchen was behind us.

Dean moved his car to block the guy from the kitchen from crossing sometimes even hitting the car.As we approached a curve they did not slow down. Instead, they hit the gas harder. We were coming up on a cliff.I screamed at him and hit his arm to slow down but it was so used. I hate him for putting me in this situation.

“Relax, Flora. You’re riding with a pro,” he teased. I was not amused. The only thing I could think about was what if I die tonight because I was stupid enough to trust my stepbrother I only knew for a couple of hours?

Dean managed to cross Garrett and was now in the lead. I wanted so badly to close my eyes and pretend I was in my room reading my book, but I was so afraid to close my eyes. Finally, I saw at the end of the road was a bunch of people. Did this mean it was finally over?

I hear a bump from the side. It was Garrett. He was playing bumper cars. We were on the road at the top of a hill. One wrong move and. I didn’t want to think about that. I hoped and prayed that I would get out of this alive. So I could give Dean a piece of my mind for pulling me into this situation.

Garrett gives our car a big slam into the side. Dean almost loses control of the car. At this point, I’m hyperventilating and crying. We’re almost at the end of the race. When Dean gains control again and does a huge u-turn at the end of the mark. He won. I immediately exit the car and bend over. I felt like I was going to throw up. I put my hands on my knees to catch my breath. I could hear everyone cheering for him behind me.

Then, there’s a hand on my back. It’s Dean. He has a worried expression on his face. He doesn’t deserve to feel guilty or worried about me. He put me in danger and didn’t think twice about it. That’s all I needed to know about my stepbrother.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice laced with concern.

I pulled away from his touch and stood up straight. “’Am I fucking okay?” I screamed at him. “You just put my life is in danger without a second fucking thought and your asking me if I’m okay?”

“Flora I-”

“No. You don’t get to do that. I asked you about a million times to let me out of the damn car and you didn’t. You showed me exactly how much you care about me and I get it. You wanted to show me that I shouldn’t hang out with you,that you are bad news. Done. I’m done with you,” I yelled at him. Sadness filled his eyes but went away just as quickly. I thought I had imagined it. I walked away back into the car waiting for him to drive me home.

I’m done with Dean Ledger.