ELIANA

Standing by the window in my room, I'm watching while Jackson is training. He's standing on a white, large shooting pad laid out on the driveway under the bright security lights. He has a heavy-duty regulation metal goal net, a bucket full of pucks, and his stick tightly clutched in his hands.

He's shooting pucks over and over again. Slapshots, wristers, backhands and he looks so focused and determined to get it right, each hit harder than the previous. And each time the puck hits the metal goal, his lips move to spit a curse and he repeats.

He's wearing black shorts, his strong masculine legs a proof of not missing leg days. The white polo shirt is hugging his muscles and I'm damn sure that he's doing it intentionally to show everyone that he doesn't miss the arm day either. His upper body is moving in sync each time he twists his hips and hits the puck, his core doing the heavy work.

Jackson is taking turns shooting the puck at the goalie from different angles, both the right and left side. Even though I don't want to admit it out loud, he's quite good and skillful. However, as I continue to watch a minute longer, I notice a tiny weakness which I almost missed. He has a weakness on his left side while the right side is strong.

The corner of my lips curved into a smile, making a mental note of it.

As if he senses someone's staring from the shadows, he stops mid action, the stick hanging in the air and turns to look at my room's big window which faces direct to the driveway but I'm quick to hide behind the curtains, my breath in my throat and my heart pumping wildly against my ribcage.

Jax stares at the window for a while then turns his attention to the puck on the shooting pad and slap shoots it to the goalie. From the window, I can see the big smile on his face and I can tell that he was enjoying it a little too much.

I can't help but smile too...

"It reminds me of how you used to watch your uncle train when you were little." I almost jump out of the window when my mom's voice comes from behind me.

"Mom? Don't you know how to knock?" I complain, releasing a deep breath and she smiles.

"I knocked thrice but there was no response so, I invited myself in. I thought maybe you were already asleep or something. But now I understand why you didn't hear me knock." I swallow when I hear her words, feeling embarrassed because she caught me watching my Stepbrother training.

It's true I used to watch my uncle train and I used to love it so much. Sometimes he would teach me a few things, show me how to hold the hockey stick and hit the puck into the goalie. He's the reason why I love hockey and know a lot of things about the sport.

"I just came to check up on you and say goodnight." She says, her face soft and eyes gentle.

I smile, "Actually, I was about to go to bed. I-I was fixing the curtains. I don't like too much lights, you know." I try to come up with a believable explanation so that I don't sound like a creepy step-sister who is stalking her Stepbrother.

I pull the curtains together, blocking all the security lights from penetrating through the curtains into my room. The smile on my mother's face broadens, falling for my lie because she knows for a fact that I don't like too much light while sleeping.

"I'm happy that you're getting along with your stepbrother well. I knew that the two of you would be fine once you get to know each other." I take a sharp breath upon hearing my mother's words. However, I manage a smile.

I pull my hair into a messy ponytail then sit on the edge of the bed and my mother joins me.

I turn to look at her, "You don't need to worry that much about me, mother. I'm fine. Jackson..." I hesitate, the words stuck in my throat. My mom looks eager to hear what I have to say, a smile on her face.

'Annoying, troublemaker, playboy," I scream in my head.

"He's good." The smile on my mom's face broadens when she hears my words, "That's true. He's a sweet boy. He might look a little tough on the outside but he has a good heart." I can feel the admiration my mother has for Jackson in her voice.

I'm not surprised because the two get along well. I have seen them talking and laughing freely a few times for the past three days.

I'm tempted to tell my mother the damn truth but I bite my tongue, recalling the promise that I made to her. Instead, I nod in support of her words and maintain the smile.

"You remember how you used to tell me you would like to have a little brother to play with? Feeling jealous whenever you see girls in the neighborhood playing with their brothers?" My mother reminds me and I can't help but laugh.

"Of course I would never forget about it." The memories of my childhood flashes in my head.

"I have found you one! Don't you see mommy is good?" She jokes and I roll my eyes.

It's true I always wanted to have a brother and when my mom told me that I was going to have a stepbrother, I was so excited to meet him. However, I never imagined that Jackson Harrison would turn out to be my Stepbrother. Not even in my wildest dreams.

I swallow when I give it a thought, hiding the disappointment behind the smile and pretend that I'm happy to have him as my Stepbrother.

"All I have ever wanted is for you to be happy, mother." A big smile takes over her features.

"Thank you for supporting my marriage with Robert, Eli. You have no idea how much your support meant to me." Her voice is full of emotions. I recalled the day she informed me and she looked so nervous.

Not that she needed my approval. She thought that including me was a good idea. She always includes me in important decisions which involve me.

"If he makes you happy." I respond with a shrug, proving to her that I didn't care about anything else. Her happiness was the only thing that I cared about.

I'm not surprised how my mother and Robert knew each other because I know it's from those boring parents gathering at school.

If I have to tolerate my annoying Stepbrother. I will do it. For her!

______

"How was your first day of senior year?" My mother asks in concern.

I heaved a deep sigh, "A little exhausting, but good. Though I can't say that much because it's too early." I joke.

My mother is quiet for a while, then releases a deep breath as though she's carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. She reaches for my hands holding them gently.

"I'm so proud of you, Eli." She says, giving my hands a small squeeze and a subtle smile takes over her features.

I squeeze back her hand.

"My wish is for you to get good grades so that you can join your dream university like you said this morning. Something that...I failed to do. I don't want you to be a failure like me." Her voice trails off when she says the last statement, looking away in shame.

I can feel the broken dreams in her voice and regrets, my heart aching inside my chest. I guess her parents' cruel words have been stuck in her head and have been weighing her down for years.

She got pregnant with me in her senior year and her parents kicked her out. Even though she had good grades, she couldn't further her education because she had to take care of me. My chest tightens when I think about the hardship that my mother went through to care for me.

I swallow the lump down my throat, "You're not a failure, mother." My voice is a little shaky because it hurts me so much to see my mother heartbroken.

"You have proven it a thousand times. You always make sure that I get the best. I have never slept hungry and I always had a roof over my head.You'll always be the best mother in the world to me." I give her hand a tight squeeze.

"I have never regretted having you because you're the best thing that ever happened to me." She says with a big smile, tears glistening in her eyes and I can feel the affection.

She opens her arms wide for me and we hug tightly.

"I promise you that I will try my best in my studies. I want to make you and uncle James proud." I assure my mother as we pull off from the tight embrace.

"I believe in you." She says in confidence, wiping away a teardrop using the back of her hand.

"However, I don't believe in that young man. I know he's a good boy and all but you need to be careful Eli. I know that I can't control your life because you're an adult now." She's silent for a while then heaves a deep sigh.

"However, I told you that whenever the two of you get intimate, don't ever forget to use protection."

"Mom...." I stress her name, my cheeks burning from embarrassment.

"What? Just reminding you because I don't want you to end up like me. I'm your mother, Eli. It's my responsibility to guide you."

God, I want to hide my face. My mother has always been open to me about sex. I know she's doing it to protect me so that I don't end up like her but each time she brings up the subject, I always feel embarrassed.

"Ethan and I haven't...you know. We just kiss and hug. We agreed that we'll do it when we're done with high school." My mother gives me one of those doubtful looks when she hears my words.

"I didn't say the two of you did anything. Just reminding you so that you can be cautious." She defends herself and I can't help but shake my head in disbelief. "Okay...I will be careful." I grumble and she smiles in satisfaction. I guess I will never run away from my mother's teaching about sex life.

My mother and I talked a little more. I inquired about how her flower shop is doing because it has been a few days since I visited, and I'm happy that everything is well...

I release a deep breath, staring at the ceiling as I lay on the bed, the conversation that I shared with my mother not long ago still fresh in my mind.

My phone on the side bed table dings, pulling my mind back to the present. I reach for the phone, my lips twitching into a smile.

I light up the screen to check the text notification. However, I crease my eyebrows when I realise the text message isn't from the person that I'm expecting. It's a new number.

"Goodnight,dear sis." I take a sharp breath when I read the message.

Only one person can send me that kind of message...

ELIANA

ONE WEEK LATER

A groan escapes my lips when the alarm goes off, waking me up from a sweet dream and thrusting me back to the harsh reality, the reality that I have been trying to run away from for the damn week. Reaching for the alarm clock on the bedside table, I turn off the irritating siren noise with a grunt.

I flip on my back and gaze at the ceiling for a minute way too long. I can't believe that it has already been one week since I began my senior year because it feels surreal.

Blowing a breath, I toss away the warm blankets hesitantly and climb down from the bed, the cold marble tiles against my feet sending a shiver down my spine. Without wasting that much time, I grab a clean towel and head over to the bathroom.

Turning on the shower, I step under the warm running water, shutting my eyes to feel the warm caress of the running water down my body and let my mind relax.

My lips curve into a smile as I recount all the events that have happened over the past one week. Even though senior year has me on the chokehold since there's a lot to be done and there's high demand for PT, all is good so far.

I have been concentrating on my studies just like I promised my mother and staying out of trouble. There's no way I'm allowing anyone to come between me and my goals.

Not even Jackson. He's still annoying but I have been ignoring him just like I vowed to myself, except for a few instances when I couldn't tolerate and I had to confront him.

I have been helping Ethan to train for the first hockey game of senior year because I know how important the game is to him. I'm also aware of his dreams of joining one of the top tier hockey universities because his dream is to become a professional hockey player and I want nothing but for him to reach his dreams.

As his girlfriend, I'm ready to support him so that he can reach his dreams. I asked some tips from uncle James and he sent us a few clips of his hockey team training to help Ethan learn some new skills, drills and strengthen his weaknesses.

I turn off the shower when I'm done in the bathroom, walk back into my room and change into uniforms. A white button down shirt, navy pleated skirt, navy blazer with white stripe on the wrist, navy tie, white socks and black loafers.

I check myself in the mirror just to make sure everything is in place. I pick my backpack from the bed and head downstairs.

While a few steps away from the kitchen, I hear people talking and my mother laughs at whatever the person she's talking to said. From her genuine laughter, I can tell that whatever the person said must be really funny.

I can't help but smile too.

It always warms my heart whenever my mother is happy because she deserves all the happiness the world has to offer.

I have a big smile on my face as I enter the kitchen but then stop at the door. The smile fading away...

My mother is flipping pancakes on the pan while Jax is lazily leaning on the counter nearby, sipping on his protein shake and they're talking like good friends. Honestly, I didn't expect it to be Jax of all the people. I thought maybe she was talking to uncle Robert. However, I can't help but wonder what he told my mother that had her laughing so hard.

I clear my throat loudly and they both turn in my direction. My mother still has a big smile on her face while Jax raises his eyebrows at me, the corner of his lips tipping up into one of those smirks. I'm tempted to throw my backpack on his face but hold the urge to because it's too early to pick a fight.

"Oh dear, you're awake." My mother says happily and can't help but smile at her, ignoring Jax.

"Good morning." I say as I walk further into the kitchen, placing the backpack on the island table then walk to my mother and give her a hug. She hugs me back tightly, planting a kiss on my hair.

After hugging for a while, we pull back and I turn to Jax. He's still leaning at the same spot, his legs crossed and a cup of protein shake in his hand. I can't help but wonder how many cups of those awful tasting shakes he takes every single morning.

His black hair is messy like always and I can tell that he had run his fingers through it a couple of times. I notice he has a new hair cut too.

"Morning," I say, putting on a smile and pretending that the greeting came from the good part of my heart.

"Good morning to you too, sis." He replies, the corner of his lips curling up into a big smile.

I bite back a curse, my jaw clenching. He knows damn well that I can't curse him at the moment or throw something at him because my mother is around.

He's good at playing his games and I hate it!

___________

When I'm done with breakfast, I hug mom goodbye, pick my backpack from the kitchen island and leave.

Stepping out of the mansion, I take a deep breath.. Just like the past week, I had to pretend that I was getting along with my stepbrother well like the perfect step-siblings that we're supposed to be.

He tried to push my limits but...I didn't break. I put on a smiling face. There's no way I'm going to give him the satisfaction that he's looking for!

"He's a jerk, don't mind him," I mumble under my breath like a mantra, reminding myself not to pay him any attention.

I have survived one week already and I'm quite sure that I can survive a few weeks more. All I need to do is ignore him and focus on myself and the things that matter to me.

Obviously, he's not on the list.

Releasing a breath, I walk to my car. It's a gift from uncle James. He gave me the car on my sixteenth birthday when I got the driver's license. Even though it's a little old, I adore it because it's my first car and a gift from my uncle.

I open the back door and toss my backpack on the backseat then lock the door. I reach for the driver's door but stop when a red sports car pulls beside me. Rolling my eyes, I turn to look at the car.

He lowers the window and a smirk pulls up at the corner of his lips, " The car won't start?Need some help?" He jokes and I throw him a hard glare.

"Nothing personal. I just wanted to wish your boyfriend good luck in today's hockey opening game." He says with a shrug and I raise an eyebrow at him because I don't believe him. He's on a rival team with my boyfriends.

"Perhaps...you can remind him that HAWKS have a sharp vision and they usually keep a close eye on their prey. And they can be fierce too."

The smirk at the corner of his lips broadens. I nod to his words, finding it amusing and the corner of my lips tips up into a smile.

"Is that so?" I ask, pretending to be curious.

"In case you forgot, Pythons can be equally fierce with their prey. Oh, poisonous too." His jaw clenches and the grip on the steering wheel tightens.

"Good luck." I shrug and get inside the car and drive away, overtaking his car at the gate...

ELIANA

After a twenty minute drive, my car pulls up at the school's parking lot at my usual parking spot. I turn off the engine and grab my backpack from the backseat then alight the car.

I look around the parking lot and my lips curl into a smile when I spot Ethan's car parked a few metres from mine. I can't help but feel that ache in my heart, the desire to see him.

Without a second thought, I turn on my heels to go find him. Today is an important day to him, to both of us and I want him to know that I have his back. I will always do.

Always.

We have been dating for two damn years now but it feels like yesterday. He's my first boyfriend, my first everything and we have made so many plans together. We have a whole future planned out and I can't wait for it to turn into reality.

A simple house with a picket fence, a dog and two or three kids, him achieving his dreams of being a professional hockey player, fulfilling my dreams of becoming a sport's doctor since I love hockey and I would like to take care of him when he's injured...

My eyes find him across the field. The smile on my face fades away slowly and I crease my eyebrows when I notice he's talking to a redhead, laughing and they seemed to be comfortable around each other.

There's this uneasy feeling at the pit of my stomach. I have never seen the girl and they look so close. I know all of Ethan's friends because most of them are his teammates. Taking a deep breath, I push the feeling away, trying not to allow negative thoughts to get in my head and walk to him.

"Ethan?" I call in a gentle voice and he turns to look in my direction and so is the redhead.

"Eliana?" He responds with a little surprise. Perhaps he wasn't expecting me to show up or something. However, the surprise is replaced with a soft smile. That kind of smile that he always puts on whenever he lays his eyes on me and I relax.

The redhead looks at me from head to toe and she makes a face which I don't care to read since I'm used to those kinds of looks anyway.

I hold her stare, not backing down, "Oh Eliana, meet Tess. She's my mother's best friend's daughter. She transferred to Crescent Hill in senior year a day ago. She hasn't made any friends yet and that's why she's hanging with me. She's my childhood friend too." I turn to look at Tess and nod to Ethan's words in understanding.

Now it makes sense why they looked so comfortable while talking and laughing. There was this familiarity between the two which I couldn't wrap my head around. It felt like they knew each other too well.

"Nice to meet you, Tess." I respond with a smile since I don't want to look rude to Ethan's friend. He has always respected my best friend Zoe and I think it's only fair if I respected his friend too.

"Tess, please meet Eliana. She's the one I have been telling you about. She helps me a lot with hockey." Ethan says and I nod with a smile. Tess goes quiet for a minute but she manages a subtle smile.

"Nice to meet you, Eliana." She says. However, I could tell that she isn't that...happy to meet me.

"I think I should get going. I wish you good luck with your game today, Ethan. I will be cheering for you." She turns her attention to Ethan, smiling at him sweetly then turns to me.

" I guess...I'll see you too, Eliana." The corner of her lips twists into a smile and I nod at her word, smiling back.

She turns around and walks away.

"Don't mind her, she's a little distant when she isn't used to you but once you get to know her, she's a good person. I promised her mother that I would help her get through the struggles of adapting to the new environment. I hope you get it." Ethan explains to me briefly and I nod in understanding as I know the feeling too well.

"How are you feeling? Ready?" I ask, brushing off the Tess topic.

Ethan releases a deep breath, " Hell yeah! We have been training for this particular day!" He says in confidence and the corner of my lips lifts up into a smile.

" I hope you and your team won't disappoint. You need to win the first match so that you can have the advantage over the Hawkers for the remaining two games to present Python in the tournament championship."I remind Ethan and he smiles at me.

"I won't disappoint you, Eli. You have to believe in me." He assures me, cradling my face.

"I believe in you. Don't forget about what I told you. He has weakness on his left side and he experiences tunnel vision too. Use his weaknesses to your advantage. And don't let him know about your weaknesses because he will exploit them and use them to his advantage. You know how it works, never let the enemy find out your weakness." I remind him and he smiles broadly.

"I can't forget about such important information. Have you ever tried being a coach? I heard it pays well. Perhaps you can be Mathew's assistant coach." Ethan jokes, referring to Python's coach. I roll my eyes playfully at his words.

"Well...you can say I learned some tips from the best." I joke back, referring to uncle James.

"I can't debate about it." He raises his hands in surrender since it's the truth. Uncle James used to be one of the top hockey players in the country. However, his career ended a little early because of a serious knee injury. He retired early and decided to become a coach to stay connected to hockey. My heart tightens when I give it a thought. He's one of the reasons why I would like to be a sport's doctor...

"My team and I are going to give it our best." Ethan's voice cuts through my thoughts. My attention shifts to him and I see the fire burning in his eyes.

The corner of my lips curls into a smile. I dart my eyes around the open field and my eyes easily finds him. He's kissing a girl, grabbing her arse.

'I hope you're ready, dear brother.' I say in my head, the smile broadening.