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But no, they ignored me and just kept packing my things from the front lawn and taking boxes to the trucks as if I was invisible.
No one acts like that around me. I’m Lyra fucking Edwards. So, I stormed into the house and found out that she and Mark were getting married immediately so we could transfer with him. He wasn’t planning to, but he was offered a promotion, forcing him to move if he accepted it.
Apparently he’s very goal oriented, so he didn’t blink outside of pushing forward their wedding by a year. Sure, they were engaged, but I didn’t really see it ever happening. Mark is not someone my mother would normally date. He’s older than her by at least five years, wears glasses, and while he’s fit, is practically bald with his buzzed red hair.
My mom has always had a thing for the bad boys or assholes. The ones that would rock her world for a month then leave her crying, brokenhearted, on the kitchen floor with a tub of ice cream. Mark came out of nowhere with his loser daughter and orders to move us to a frigid city where everything changed.
I feel as if I’ve been living in theTwilight Zonesince that day six months ago when my mother’s eyes lit up, and she told me they were getting married the following day. I wanted to throw a classic spoiled brat fit, but I didn’t have the heart. I always wanted my mom to find someone.
All those times picking her up off the kitchen tile and throwing away the empty tubs of ice cream while she cried and questioned what was wrong with her.
It broke me, and I guess I can admit that Mark treats her like a princess, and he accepted me too. Usually I was just the pain in the ass baggage that accompanied my mom.
After my mother had stopped squeezing the life out of me and talking about getting me a dress, Mark graced me with a very rare smile, and said, “I’m so very happy to call you my daughter officially, Lyra. I know this will be difficult, but Cassie can show you the ropes. She’s old hat at this, and the perfect soldier, right?”
I didn’t even notice Cassie was in the room. She’s always been too quiet and just like Henry said, forgettable.
Cassie looked stricken as she listened to her father, and I felt this pang of familiarity for a second.Me too, girl. It’s too bad I hate your guts.
I think for a minute I was hoping that she would throw the fit, but I should have known better. In the end, Cassie just nodded and whispered, “Anything you want, Dad. I’ll start packing up my room,” then left me to deal with the happy couple, all while trying not to show I was dying inside.
Glaring at the snow falling outside my window, I try not to wish I was wearing cowboy boots and cute dresses instead of snow boots and sweaters.
“Lyra!” my mom calls my name, and I sigh. It’s my senior year of high school, and I still hate this place.
“Coming, Mom!” I yell, shivering in anticipation at how cold it’ll be outside. I don’t think I will ever adapt.
Maybe the military should include a guide for the step-brats who get pulled into this life kicking and screaming. I certainly never volunteered to move to this ice palace.
Walking down the stairs of the house we moved into, I have to admit it’s one of the only things I like about living here. It has an attic that my mom is converting into a library nook, and a basement for games.
Mark told me I can bring over friends as long as I let him know, which I’m okay with. I may be the Ice Queen to people who don’t know me, but I respect my elders. My new step-dad is fair, and I know he didn’t have a choice in this move either, but damn am I struggling.
I slip in my socks on the last step and gasp when my ass hits the bottom stair. “Oww,” I whimper. I used to tan so well back in Texas, and now I’m so pale that I bruise easily. Thank God it’s not swimsuit season so no one will see the blooming bruise that’s sure to be emerging.
“Lyra! You’re going to be late for school, sweetie,” my mom says, exasperation coloring her words.
My mom is a nurse, but works PRN now that she’s a military wife. It means her schedule is a little more flexible, but she’s also trying to find her way in this weird world we live in.
Jumping up despite my wince, I sprint for the front door. “Sorry, Mom. The stairs and I had a disagreement, and they won this time,” I explain, grabbing my dreaded snow boots.
Mom chuckles, shaking her head. “Please don’t leave without Cassie. She’s sending in her assignment for one of her online dual enrollment classes. That girl hustles, I’ve never met someone so driven before.”
I know she isn’t comparing me to Cassie, but I feel a thread of hurt nonetheless. She’s perfect, driven, smart, and doesn’t participate in any of the “silly things” I do.
Again, my mother has never said any of these things, but my inner voice is a bully and a bitch.
As I watch Cassie run in and shove her feet into sensible winter boots, I purse my lips. We couldn’t be more different if we tried. Quickly putting on my cute knee high winter boots with my jeans and pink sweater, I stand to really look at her.
While my white-blonde hair is smoothed into a fishtail braid with a white and pink headband, Cassie’s hair is a wild curly mass of red hair. She’s wearing an oversized green sweater as a dress, black leggings, and her green eyes hide behind her glasses. There’s so much potential in my step-sister, and I’d help her… if I didn’t hate her guts.
“Are you done being superwoman, yet, Cassie? We need to get to school, and not all of us are as perfect as you are,” I say cheerfully, but I know Cassie can hear the snark in my voice because her brows furrow in confusion.
“Um, okay, Lyra. We still have plenty of time to get to school though,” she murmurs.
Mom’s eyes bounce between us, aware of the tension but unsure as to why. She wants us to love each other like real sisters, however it’s just not going to happen. Cassie is an usurper on my territory, my mother’s heart, and my place as the favorite.
There’s no way in hell she’s getting off easy.
