Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 24

Chapter 24 Out Of My League

WILLOW

How did I even come to like him in the first place?

For a second, I almost gave him a witty answer.

He was handsome and rich while I was young and stupid.

But none of those would’ve been true.

The real answer wasn’t simple.

***

**Finished

Nine Years Ago

It was my first day of actual school. I was wearing a new uniform, the only one the orphanage was able to afford.

It consisted of a skirt and a stiff blazer that didn’t quite fit right. The prestigious Crestwood Academy stood in front of me, looking like a palace pretending to be a school.

Students stepped out of luxury cars like they were attending a fashion show instead of homeroom.

I stood outside the gates, gripping the straps of my worn backpack, praying no one would notice that the shoes I was wearing were secondhand.

I had earned my spot through a national academic scholarship. Still, none of that erased the fact that I lived in an orphanage.

Of course, I didn’t want anyone to know.

Some heads turned, probably because I was unfamiliar.

A girl with glossy brown hair and a confident posture walked straight toward me before I could even locate the administrative office.

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“Willow?” she asked brightly.

I blinked, perplexed. “Yes.”

“Come,” she said, already grabbing my wrist casually. “I’m Kath. Class Representative! Our teacher said to look out for you.”

She led me down the hallway while I tried not to stare at the expensive watches and designer bags the students wore. Someone was even wearing a Dahlia bag!

“They’re staring because you’re new and pretty,” Kath whispered, leaning slightly toward me. “Not because you look weird.”

My eyes widened. “That’s not-”

“Here we are!” she exclaimed, not allowing me to oppose her properly.

She pushed open the classroom door and gestured dramatically. “Welcome to 11-

A.”

The room fell quiet for a split second.

Thirty pairs of eyes landed on me, measuring everything I had. When they realized I wasn’t a threat, they looked away.

“Guys,” Kath announced, “this is Willow. She’s joining us this term.”

A few polite nods followed, but most were uninterested glances.

She led me to what I presumed was her seat.

“You’ll be sitting next to me,” she said.

“No one’s sitting next to you?” I asked.

She nodded and leaned toward me, whispering, “I’m a scholarship student too. That’s why people don’t like me that much.”

My eyes widened. “What?”

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“Relax,” she rolled her eyes. “The students here are elites, you see. Legacy families. Old money. They tolerate us because we’re useful.”

“Useful?”

class m

“Good grades make the class average look impressive.”

I swallowed.

“My mom’s a dental assistant while my dad’s a professor, so that’s nothing compared to the people here. Still, I’m proud of where I came from.”

I pursed my lips. That still sounded better than what I had.

She still had parents and a home.

“Well,” she clapped her hands once. “It’s the first day. Most teachers are just doing introductions, so we basically get a half–day. Want to eat at the cafeteria?”

I hesitated.

I didn’t have any money. I barely had enough for the bus fare.

“I-”

“My treat,” she cut in casually, grabbing her bag. “Don’t argue. I hate eating alone.”

Before I could refuse, she dragged me out of the classroom. The cafeteria was nothing like the ones I’d seen before.

It looked more like an expensive hotel buffet. I stood awkwardly behind her as she ordered two meals without checking the prices.

“Sit,” she instructed.

I did. The tray she placed in front of me looked expensive.

“Thanks,” I said softly.

“We haven’t properly introduced ourselves,” she said between bites. “Kath. Kath Martin.”

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“Willow,” I replied.

She tilted her head. “Willow…?”

I hesitated. My last name had always felt like a placeholder.

“Willow Doe,” I said.

Her eyes lit up. “That’s cute.”

“It’s not,” I muttered.

She frowned slightly. “Why not?”

“Because I live in an orphanage,” I said, forcing the words out before I could change my mind. “I was found there.”

I braced myself for her pity or mockery. I wanted to tell her honestly, so she could stay away

from me if she wanted to.

“That’s even cooler,” she said matter–of–factly, making me surprised.

“It’s mysterious,” she added. “Like you’re the main character in a drama who doesn’t know her real origins yet.”

I stared at her.

“You don’t think it’s… embarrassing?”

“Why would it be?” she asked genuinely. “You survived. That’s impressive.”

I felt something unfamiliar bloom in my chest–relief.

And for the first time that day, I smiled.

“Anyway,” she said, pointing her fork at me. “Don’t hesitate to tell me anything. Okay?”

I nodded. Maybe transferring here wouldn’t be so bad.

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Chapter 24 Out Of My League

Maybe-

The cafeteria doors swung open, and I felt the room change. It wasn’t loud at first. It was a mere whisper, but then, the whispers amplified.

Heads turned.

Phones subtly lifted.

I frowned and glanced toward the entrance.

Then, my breath caught.

He walked in like he belonged to a different world.

He was surrounded by a small group of people who looked equally expensive, but even among them, he stood out.

Kath sighed dreamily beside me.

“Thank goodness for Marcus Hale,” she whispered. “We get to see such a good view in the morning.”

I turned to her slowly.

“Hale?” I muttered.

She leaned closer.

“As in the Hale cars,” she whispered dramatically.

My eyes widened.

Marcus Hale.

I looked back at him instinctively, and for a second, his gaze lifted and locked onto

mine.

Everything slowed. The cafeteria noise faded into a distant hum. The fluorescent lights seemed softer.

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For one impossible second, it felt like the world had narrowed down to just that

eye contact.

His expression didn’t change.

At that moment, I panicked.

I tore my gaze away first.

It was better not to look at anyone who belonged to a world I could never step into.

I picked up my fork again, pretending my hands weren’t trembling.

But I could still feel it.

That moment.

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