The doorbell rang sharply, echoing through the house. Sophie was in her room, trying to focus on her homework, but the tension in the air was palpable. She sighed, settingher pencil down, and peeked through her window.
Charles was at the door, a smile on his face, but it didn't reach his eyes. Standing next to him was a boy around her age—tall, with tousled dark hair and a confident grin that instantly irritated Sophie.
"Ethan, meet my daughter, Sophie!" Charles said, his voice cheerful. "I thought it would be nice for you two to get to know each other."
Sophie rolled her eyes, feeling a familiar surge of annoyance. She didn't need a new brother, especially one who looked so... smug.
"Hi, Sophie!" Ethan waved, his voice too cheerful for her mood. "I'm Ethan. Nice to meet you."
"Yeah, sure," Sophie muttered, crossing her arms defensively. "Nice to meet you too, I guess."
Charles looked between them, his smile faltering slightly. "Why don't you two go hang out? Get to know each other a bit."
Sophie shot her father a look, but he just nodded, oblivious to her discomfort. "Come on, Sophie," he urged gently. "It'll be good for you."
With a reluctant sigh, Sophie followed Ethan into the living room.
"So, what do you like to do?" Ethan asked, plopping down on the couch, seemingly at home already.
Sophie hesitated, crossing her arms tighter. "I dunno. Just stuff."
Ethan chuckled, unfazed. "Okay, well, I like gaming and skateboarding. We should totally play something together."
Sophie felt her irritation bubbling. "Not everyone likes the same things, you know."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly unfazed. "Fair enough. What do you like?"
"I like drawing," she replied, her tone flat.
"Oh cool! Can I see some of your work?" He leaned forward, genuine curiosity in his eyes.
"Maybe later," Sophie said, turning away. She didn't want to show him anything.
"Right, right," Ethan said, his tone teasing. "I get it. The mysterious artist."
Sophie rolled her eyes again, trying to ignore the strange flutter in her stomach.
"Hey, it's cool. No pressure. I get it; I'm new here. But I'm also really hungry. Is there any food around?" he said, changing the subject.
"I don't know," Sophie replied, trying to sound uninterested. "You'll have to ask Vivian."
"Alright, let's go raid the kitchen then!" he exclaimed, bouncing up from the couch. "Race you!"
Before Sophie could respond, he dashed towards the kitchen. She sighed, reluctantly trailing behind him.
In the kitchen, Vivian was organizing the pantry, a bright smile gracing her face as Ethan entered. "There you are! I was just about to make some snacks."
"Awesome! What do you have?" Ethan asked, leaning over the counter, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Vivian glanced at Sophie, who stood in the doorway, arms crossed. "Just some fruit and sandwiches. Sophie, why don't you help me with the sandwiches?"
Sophie shot a glare at Ethan, who smirked in return. "Sure, I'd love to help!" she said with heavy sarcasm.
Vivian was undeterred. "Great! Ethan, why don't you set the table?"
"Sure thing!" Ethan replied enthusiastically, and Sophie felt her stomach twist in frustration.
As they worked, Vivian hummed a cheerful tune. Sophie fumbled with the bread, trying to ignore Ethan's playful banter with Vivian.
"Do you like living here?" Ethan asked, his voice light as he placed forks on the table.
Sophie shrugged. "It's fine. I guess."
Vivian smiled brightly. "You'll both get used to it. We're going to have so much fun together as a family."
Sophie felt a knot tighten in her stomach. "Right. Family." She wanted to scream, but instead, she forced a smile.
Later, as they sat around the dining table, Ethan chattered away about his school and friends, while Sophie pushed her food around her plate, barely listening.
"Are you excited for school next week?" Ethan asked, glancing at her.
"Not really," Sophie replied, her tone flat.
Vivian interjected, "You'll both be at the same school now. It'll be a great chance for you two to bond."
Sophie looked at her father, hoping for some support. "I don't need to bond with him. I liked it better when it was just us."
Charles's expression shifted, concern flickering across his face. "Sophie, it's important to make an effort. We're a family now."
Ethan smirked, taking a bite of his sandwich. "Looks like you're stuck with me, Sophie. Better get used to it!"
Sophie felt anger boiling within her, but she tried to push it down. "You're not even part of this family," she shot back. "You just moved in!"
Vivian's eyes narrowed slightly, but she kept her voice steady. "Ethan is part of our family now, Sophie. It's time you accept that."
Sophie felt a lump in her throat. "I don't have to accept anything!"
Charles sighed, rubbing his temples. "Sophie, please."
"Why don't you just go back to where you came from?" Sophie snapped at Ethan, regretting it the moment the words left her mouth.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, but his grin didn't falter. "I'm not going anywhere. Besides, this place is awesome! I think I'll like it here."
Days turned into weeks, and Ethan settled into the household like a whirlwind. Sophie couldn't escape his presence, and each day felt more suffocating than the last.
One afternoon, Sophie was drawing at the dining room table when Ethan burst in with a basketball.
"Hey, you want to shoot some hoops?" he asked, grinning widely.
Sophie looked up, annoyance written all over her face. "I'm busy."
"Oh come on! You can't just sit here all day," Ethan pressed, bouncing the ball lightly on the floor.
Sophie turned back to her sketch, frustrated. "I said I'm busy, Ethan!"
Ethan's smile faltered for a moment, then returned. "Fine, but you're missing out! We can have fun without it being a big deal."
She scoffed, shaking her head. "Why do you care? You don't know me."
"Maybe I'd like to," he replied, his voice sincere.
Sophie sighed, feeling torn. "I don't want to get to know you."
"Why not? It could be fun!" He bounced the ball again. "Besides, it's not like you're doing anything right now."
"Stop it!" she snapped, finally looking at him. "Just because you moved in doesn't mean I have to like you."
Ethan raised his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, okay! But you could at least try. I'm not that bad."
Sophie rolled her eyes. "Easy for you to say. You're not the one who's had everything turned upside down."
Ethan's expression softened. "I get it. Change is tough. I had to deal with it too when my mom married your dad."
Sophie paused, surprised by his honesty. "You did?"
"Yeah. I didn't want to move either," he admitted. "But here we are. I didn't choose it, just like you didn't."
Sophie felt a pang of empathy but quickly brushed it aside. "Whatever. I just want things to go back to how they were."
"Can't do that," Ethan replied lightly. "But I can help make things better. Just give it a shot."
Sophie rolled her eyes, but a small part of her felt curious. "We'll see."
That evening, while sitting in the living room, Sophie overheard Vivian talking to Charles.
"I think Sophie is struggling to adjust. We need to help her embrace this change," Vivian said, her tone soothing.
Charles sighed. "I'm trying, but she's so distant. I don't want her to feel replaced."
"She needs to understand that we're all here for her. I care about her just as much," Vivian replied, her voice confident.
Sophie felt anger rise inside her, an unfamiliar feeling that churned in her stomach. She got up and marched to the kitchen.
"What do you mean you care about me?" Sophie interrupted, her voice sharp. "You don't know anything about me!"
Vivian turned, her surprise evident. "Sophie, I—"
"I don't want to hear it!" Sophie shouted. "You're just trying to take my dad away from me!"
"Stop it, Sophie!" Charles said, stepping forward. "That's enough."
Vivian's calm demeanor shifted slightly. "Sophie, I'm not trying to replace anyone. I just want to help."
"I don't need your help!" Sophie cried, feeling the tears stinging her eyes. "You don't even care! You just want a perfect little family!"
Vivian's eyes narrowed slightly. "I do care. I want what's best for all of us."
"Stop pretending you care! You only want to change everything!" Sophie shouted, frustration spilling over.
"Maybe you should start acting like a part of this family!" Vivian replied, her voice now colder.
"I don't want to be part of your family!" Sophie yelled, storm