I hopped onto my bed like a burnt pancake.
Face first.
I grabbed a pillow and shoved it over my head like it was some kind of stress helmet.
"Ah! He had to invite everyone!" I shouted into it.
The noise from the living room was like a marching band on steroids.
Loud.
Chaotic.
Potentially deafening.
I groaned again into the pillow.
"This is not what I signed up for!"
After a moment I sat up dramatically and sighed like someone who had seen too much in life.
"I have such an annoying brother."
Then suddenly—
A mischievous smirk slowly crept across my face.
My blue eyes blinked behind my glasses like a cartoon villain about to do something illegal.
I rubbed my hands together.
"Ha… I have an idea."
Cue the evil laugh.
Remember when I said I could call the cops on him?
Yeah.
I was about to turn that fantasy into reality.
I grabbed my phone from the closet and dialed.
My heart beat faster while I waited.
DIAL TONE.
Then—
Sirens.
Loud sirens.
Coming closer.
My eyes widened.
I squealed quietly like I'd just won the lottery.
I tiptoed outside my room like a spy on a secret mission.
And what do I see?
People leaving the house.
Some looked disappointed.
Some looked happy.
And some just looked confused.
Jake stood outside talking to a police officer like they were best friends.
Meanwhile Liam suddenly leaned down until his face was very close to mine.
Too close.
Close enough for me to smell cinnamon and something warm and sweet.
"You called the cops, small lady," he teased with an annoyingly cute smile.
I puffed up my chest.
"Lady?! Excuse you. I am a full-blown woman."
Liam burst out laughing.
"Sure you are."
I glared.
"You know you always ruin Jake's fun," he said.
I smirked proudly.
"It's fun to see him frustrated."
Then I noticed how close he was again.
"Don't you think you're too close?"
Instead of backing away, Liam leaned even closer just to annoy me.
"I think you're just short."
My jaw dropped.
"Rude!"
He laughed again and leaned back like he had just finished a comedy show.
Behind him, Mark walked over quietly.
He looked between us.
"Are you two always like this?"
Liam grinned.
"Only when she calls the police."
Mark chuckled softly.
Then he looked at me.
"You really called them?"
I crossed my arms proudly.
"Of course. Someone had to save the neighborhood."
Mark shook his head, smiling.
"You're… interesting, Ayana."
My heart did a weird flip.
Before I could respond, Jake finally finished talking to the cop and turned around.
His eyes immediately locked on me.
Uh oh.
"Hey, you little ugly monkey," he snapped.
I blinked.
Seriously?
Monkey?
That's the best insult he has?
I crossed my arms.
"Whatever."
Jake pointed at the messy living room.
"Clean this up."
"No."
He stared at me like I had grown another head.
Unfortunately for me… five minutes later I found myself cleaning the living room anyway.
Life is unfair.
Jake, Liam, Ethan, and Mark were sitting on the couch watching like they had bought tickets to a show.
Except Mark.
Mark actually stood up and helped.
He picked up cups and bottles, adjusting his glasses every few seconds when they slid down his nose.
Why did that look so cute?
Stop.
Stop it, brain.
Focus.
I glanced at him.
"Thank you, Mark. You're helpful—unlike my brother."
Jake scoffed loudly.
Mark smiled gently.
"My pleasure, Ayana."
Then he picked up my sketchbook from the table.
"You draw everywhere, don't you?"
I froze.
"Oh… yeah."
He flipped through a page and looked impressed.
"You really can't draw people?"
I shook my head quickly.
"Nope."
Liam leaned over Mark's shoulder to look.
"What? That's weird," Liam said.
"I can draw mountains, animals, trees, random things… just not humans."
Liam smirked.
"So if you drew me I'd look like a potato?"
I shrugged.
"Probably."
Mark laughed quietly.
"I'd still like to see that."
Liam pointed dramatically.
"Hey! I'm not a potato!"
Mark handed the sketchbook back to me, smiling.
"You should keep drawing though."
Then suddenly—
He reached out and gently brushed a loose strand of hair away from my face.
My brain stopped working.
Completely.
Butterflies exploded in my stomach.
I just stood there staring like a frozen statue.
"Uh…"
My face turned red instantly.
I nodded like a malfunctioning robot and ran straight back to my room.
Embarrassment level: over 9000.
Behind me, Mark watched the door close and smirked slightly.
He turned to Jake.
"Your sister is nice."
Jake scoffed.
"She's a menace."
The Next Morning
After that chaos-filled night, Jake went straight to Mom and told her I called the police.
Traitor.
I heard her scold me a little.
Just a little.
Honestly I didn't mind.
I had cleaned the entire house anyway.
Swept.
Mopped.
Organized.
Basically became the official family cleaner.
But I was still smiling.
Because I saw a different side of someone.
Mark.
His big brown eyes.
That gentle smile.
He looked like an anime character who accidentally walked into real life.
Honestly, he was so cute I almost wanted to put him in my pocket.
I was scribbling in my notebook when—
"Ayana!"
Jake's voice shattered my peaceful thoughts.
I quickly closed the notebook.
"Yeah, what?"
He tossed a crumpled wad of money at me.
"Here."
I blinked.
"Buy groceries and cook Mom's favorite food."
He paused.
"It's her birthday today."
My brain froze.
Today?
Mom's birthday?
I had completely forgotten.
Guilt stabbed me immediately.
But then I straightened up.
Well.
Now I remembered.
Which means I'm still a great daughter.
Obviously.
I looked at the money.
"Where did you get all this?"
Jake ran a hand through his perfectly spiky hair like he was starring in a shampoo commercial.
"It doesn't matter."
"Just do what I told you."
And he walked away.
I stared at the money in my hand.
"This boy…"
Then I sighed and smiled a little.
If cooking her favorite food would make Mom happy…
Then it was worth it.
Even if my brother was the most annoying person alive.