I was curled on the sofa scrolling through my phone when Mum called me into the kitchen.
"Nusaybah," she said, softly. "Me and your dad have been thinking. Your brother's school… it isn't working out. He's been saying the classes feel behind, and the coach says their football programme isn't great."
Dad nodded. "We've applied to transfer him to your school. It's approved. He starts next week."
I blinked in surprise. "Wait… my school? My year group?"
"Year nine," Mum corrected. "You're in Year ten, remember? But still, same place. You'll look out for him."
I nodded slowly, a mix of surprise and dread settling in my chest.
I loved my little brother, though he was the most annoying person I had ever met. And, the stupidest.
At my old school, girls had pretended to be my friends just to get close to him, and I did not want that to happen again.
I walked up to his room. He was playing video games as usual.
I stood in front of him blocking the screen.
He looked up at me, annoyed.
"Let me get this straight. No one is going to know we are siblings, got it?" I said in a matter of fact tone.
He rolled his eyes, "Obviously. I don't want anyone to know that you are my sister."
I rolled my eyes, "Good. We have an agreement."