As I entered the house, the air was thick with the scent of home-cooked meals and the faint, nostalgic aroma of wood polish.
I saw my younger brother, Vance, was sprawled on the couch, absorbed in his phone, fingers moving rapidly as he played some video game.
He was just as I remembered him.. lost in a world of pixels, completely oblivious to the real one around him.
I walked over quietly, wanting to see how long it would take him to notice me. His dedication to his game was impressive, and I felt a swell of affection.
Just as I was about to pat him on the head, I leaned down, and with a gentle tap, I said, "Hey, Vance…"
He jolted upright in a panic, his phone tumbling from his hands and hitting the floor with a thud. "Ugh!" I thought, was this reaction a little too exaggerated?
He turned to face me, his eyes wide with surprise, and after a beat of confusion, he recovered, puffing his chest as if trying to regain some dignity.
