Chapter 7 - Realization

"It was awful Billy."

Martin kicked his shoes off, flinging himself onto his bed and latching his hands behind his head. Billy sat in his chair, looking sympathetic.

"It could have gone worse," he offered hesitantly.

Marti snorted. "No, it really couldn't have. I messed everything up." He groaned inwardly. "I should have known going through with this plan was stupid."

"Plan?" Billy's ears perked up. "What plan?"

"To make Diana realize that Marvin is a douche and isn't the one for her."

Billy eyed Martin for a cautious moment before shaking his head slowly. "You know Marty...it sounds more like you wanted to make Diana jealous."

Martin made a face. "Make her jealous?"

"Yes. Because it sounds a lot like you're jealous."

Martin suddenly shot up so fast into an upright sitting position, it happened to startle Billy. "What?" Martin screeched, his eyes narrowing. "What did you just say?"

Billy's eyes were wide in terror and guilt. "I – I didn't say anything!"

Martin ran a hand over his face slowly. "Billy, you're absolutely absurd. You're losing your head. You really need to go lay someone."

"Martin!"

Martin laughed weakly, shaking his head. "I'm kidding." But the smile fell from his face. "But seriously, how can you even think that? I'd never, ever think of my sister in that way."

Billy didn't look convinced. "Step-sister," he reminded tauntingly. "You two are not blood related, so it's not disgusting at all. You're only siblings by marriage."

"Which makes it better? No," Martin answered before Billy could. "Either way, it would disgust people and I don't wanna be in a relationship like that. Besides, I think you're forgetting about all my admirers."

Billy rolled his eyes. "What admirers, Marty?"

"Shut up. As I was saying, I won't think of Diana in that way."

"I think you already are," Billy said quietly, his voice almost inaudible. But Martin had clearly heard him, which made his heart skip a beat for a moment.

Was he? Was he already thinking of Diana in the worst way possible? No, I won't, he chided himself, swallowing. Or so he told himself.

The next day, it was a P.A. Day which officially meant that classes were called off for the day. Martin and Jenni were walking to the courtyard to confirm the rest of their plans.

"So, is it over?" Jenni asked, almost hopefully. "Our whole fake dating?"

"Of course not," Martin replied cheekily, making Jenni groan. "Hey, do you know what kind of opportunity this is? Dating the Martin Mystery?"

"A death opportunity?" Jenni asked sarcastically.

"Don't think negative. Now, do you have any suggestions first of all?"

Jenni inclined her head slightly. "Martin, what is this even all about?"

"What do you mean?"

"Is this about making sure you're watching over your sister or is it to make her jealous?"

Again, Martin felt his heart falter for a moment and he stopped dead in his tracks, the words ringing over and over in his head. "What?" he uttered in shock. No, first Billy, and now Jenni? Why was everyone coming to this one, crazy conclusion?

Jenni looked back over her shoulder. "I mean," she said hesitantly, "you two are..."

"Are what?"

Jenni flinched at Martin's tone; he sounded angry now. "Don't get mad," she said defensively, raising her hands. "I'm just saying, jeez. But don't you, I don't know, maybe carry feelings for Diana?"

"Stop," Martin cut in sharply. "Stop right there."

"You're going to have to face the facts," Jenni pointed out and then her face softened. "Martin, it's okay, you know. It'd be different and gross if Diana was your real sister, but you two aren't related. So what if you two date?"

Martin felt his jaw tighten. "Do you know what our parents would say?" he snapped. "My dad, her mom? Do you know how embarrassed and revolted they'll be? They won't even be able to show their faces in public because their children are dating."

Jenni pressed her lips together, a look of compassion passing over her face. "I know," she whispered, taking a step closer and taking his hand in hers. "I know, Martin."

Martin closed his eyes, his breathes coming out softly. "I wish it wasn't so hard," he whispered back. "Sometimes I wish she wasn't my step-sister."

"I can replace her."

Martin's eyes flew open in surprise and he glanced down at Jenni incredulously, not believing what he'd just heard. Jenni's face turned deep red and she rolled her eyes as casually as possible. "I mean, you know, as your pretend girlfriend. At least until you can man up and tell her how you feel."

Martin sighed. "It's not that easy, you know. Especially when she's dating my arch enemy."

On the way back to his dorm, Martin whistled along without a care in the world. His hands were shoved into his pockets, the halls absolutely empty. That is, until he heard voices.

"Marvin," a pained voice said and Martin stopped, his ears pricking. "I don't know about this..."

"Why are you so uncertain?" a familiar and arrogant voice asked, making Martin want to hurl. But he didn't, because he knew the first voice. It was Diana's.

"Because I think we're rushing it," she whispered softly.

"We're not, baby, we're not. I know you've had feelings for me for awhile and hell...I've liked you, too. We're meant to be."

You cheesy little prick, Martin thought sourly.

"Maybe, but can't we take this slow?"

"Why do we have to?" Marvin sounded upset. "Don't you like me?"

"Yes but - "

That was enough for Martin. He couldn't stand hearing his sister sound so vulnerable. He strode out from behind the row of lockers, surprising both Diana and Marvin. "Leave my sister alone," he said coldly, his face acidic.

Marvin smirked, looking triumphant. "Why, hello Martin."

Diana still looked stunned. "Martin?"

Martin narrowed his eyes at the other boy. "She wants to take the relationship slow, so why don't you?"

"It's not any of your business, is it?" Marvin challenged. "Stay out of it."

"When it concerns my sister, it concerns me."

"Too bad your sister doesn't want your concern."

Diana blinked. "Marvin, stop. I'll talk to you later." She tried to unsuccessfully shoo him away, but Marvin's eyes were set intently on Martin.

"You're a dickwad, you know that?" Martin growled, glaring.

Martin just continued smirking. "Yeah, well you're a poopsie."

"A what?!"

"Martin! Marvin, stop!" Diana sounded desperate at this point.

Marvin laughed bitterly. "Your sister is dating me. Not you. So butt out. We'll take our relationship at the pace we want to."

"You better not force my sister into anything she's not prepared for," Martin warned, venom dripping from his voice. The thought of Marvin touching Diana against her will made his blood boil beneath his veins.

"Martin, stop it," Diana hissed, shooting her brother a quick glare. "Just drop it!"

Marvin just stood there, now annoyance replacing his casual demeanour. "I'm nothing like you, Mystery," he shot back. "And really, do you think saying 'my sister' will do anything? My sister or Diana or whatever, you can't change the fact that you still love - "

"Shut up!" And without warning, Martin swung his fist right at Marvin, squaring him right in the jaw. Marvin stumbled back in surprise and Diana screamed.

Marvin's face contorted with a million emotions – rage, shock, horror – but he lifted his head and met Martin's eyes. His eyes were full of murderous anger. "You better watch your back, Mystery."

And he stormed off.

Martin stood there, panting in and out, his knuckles aching from the impact of the hit. He couldn't believe himself and what he had just done. He had punched Marvin – and it felt nice. Really nice.

"Martin Mystery!"

The shrill, livid shriek snapped him out of his thoughts and he guiltily looked up at his sister; Diana. She stood there, her fists clenched and her teeth bared. "Why do you keep messing everything up? Why? Why are you so keen on ruining my life?"

Martin shook his head warily. "I'm not in the mood for this right now."

"I told you once and I'm only going to tell you twice now. Leave me right the hell alone."

"How can you let him do this to you?" Martin shouted, thrusting his hand outward. "He wants to take advantage of you! How can you not see this?"

Angry tears brimmed the edge of Diana's eyes. "He won't! Stop thinking you're always right because you're not! And stop using the same excuse every single time!"

"Same excuse?"

"Just because you're my brother doesn't mean I need you watching and protecting my ass twenty four seven! God, you annoy the crap out of me. Why don't you understand that?"

Martin could feel another ache spreading through him – only this time, it came from his heart. "I will then," he finally whispered. "I'll leave you alone."

Diana didn't change her expression. "Good then."

Martin turned, his shoulders heavy. But before he walked off, he slightly turned his head and softly said, "But Diana? You might not be aware of it but there's someone else who is in love with you."

"What?" The surprise in Diana's voice was unmistakable.

But Martin had already walked away, not looking back once.

A/N: Dedicated to my friend, Vichoda! :) She's a dickward and I'm a poopsie