Luciana

December 20th
07:19 PM

Yo
Will you join Christmas with us

Uh huh
Already planned it with Dariel

Ofc
Then I'll see you soon

January 1st
00:10 AM

Happy new year!!

January 2nd
03:17 PM

Happy new year!

February 14th
10:00 AM

Are you maybe in for a coffee?

Always

Wait really??

Ofc
If you feel like it, you can give it to me today? I'll be at your door at nine

That's a bit late for a coffee, I don't think any of the cozy shops are open. It won't be nice to sit there

As long as it tastes good, I don't care. Might get rid of my nerves for my date with Dariel

Date?

Why else would I be at your door at nine?

Why is the girl at the door?

Modern stuff
Anyway, glad you offered that coffee. See you tonight and hopefully the shop is a bit cozy!!

I was thinking you'd come with me
To get the coffee
Not that I'd bring it to you
For your date
With Dariel

Ohhh, I misunderstood, sorry Minho
But I've got other things planned throughout the day

That's fine

February 27th
06:55 AM

Happy birthday Minho!! I hope you have a great day! I might come over

Thank you !! I'd really like that

May 10th
08:57 PM

Hi hru?

I'm good! And you? Why are you asking? You saw me this morning

Just wondering
How was the movie

Awesome!! Tho your brother is real slimy. He did more kissing than watching

Sometimes it's better to keep things to yourself

You see us kiss everyday

I didn't volunteer for that either

July 28th
07:21 AM

Have fun on vacation

Thanks!

*Luciana sent a photo*

Just when I thought I wouldn't see my brother's face for a while

Well, at least he's smiling

Bc you're there

I may hope that's the reason

October 29th
06:17 PM

Is it okay to go trick or treating as an eighteen year old?

Definitely
I still do it and I'm almost nineteen

November 8th
00:00 AM

Happy birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Was I first?

08:00 AM

Haha thank you!!
Well, idk, Dariel said it the second it became midnight

But so did I

But he did it in real life

How was I supposed to have an opportunity to be there in real life

You can cuddle between us

Ew

January 21st
05:19 PM

You forgot a sock

Oh!! Oops... give it to Dariel, I'm meeting up with him tonight

I can bring it

Save yourself the trouble

I need to be close to your house anyway

There are no activities a mile within my house and I won't make you bike one unnecessary mile, lol. But thanks!

I'm bored
It won't bother me

It's okay, really
Just give it to Dariel

"Hey!" I jerk off the couch, jumping straight on top of Dariel as he holds my phone away from me. "Give that back!"

"What, you got something to hide?"

"No, just give it back!" Elbowing him in the face doesn't work, nor does kicking his shin. "Give it back!"

"Texting my girlfriend, huh?" He scrolls through the texts. "What are you trying to achieve?"

With all the strength I have, I rip the phone out of his hands. He laughs lazily, unbothered. "Giving her sock back. She left it at our house."

He snatches the sock from my hand. "I'll give it to her tonight."

"No, I'm going to give it. I found it."

"You won't get praised for returning a sock."

"You never know. Maybe she's a house elf," I mutter, and give up trying.

My brother scoffs. "Go do your homework." He pats my head—

"Do not!" I push him away from me. "Don't do that! I'm not a baby."

"You're still younger and in high school."

"And so what? That's not my fault."

"Perhaps if you'd used your potential, you wouldn't have to repeat this year."

"Was that a compliment or not?"

"Whatever you want." He pats my head again before heading off, the sock and a tie in his hands. I hate those ties. He's neat until it comes to those things. They fly around the house, haunting me everywhere and reminding me of the stupid nine-to-five job I will have to go work once I graduate, just like Dariel. He seems to enjoy it, but it's been my nightmare ever since someone asked me what I want to be when I grow up.

When my phone buzzes, I move it so fast that it slips out of my hands and lands flat on the ground. Still, I lie down on it, desperately unlocking the device.

I fumble with it, face pressed against the floor, heart hammering in my chest.

Luciana
05:23 PM

Thanks for finding my sock. Dariel just told me you were being dramatic about it, so I'm glad to hear you care hahaha

I groan loudly into the hardwood. Of course, he'd already texted her. Why wouldn't he? And why would he not share every embarrassing moment I've had?

It wasn't dramatic, just trying to help. You're welcome, though.

I toss the phone onto the couch, frustration bubbling in my chest. No matter how hard I try, Dariel always manages to swoop in and make me look like the fool. It's like some twisted talent he's perfected over the years. He's got the charm, the looks, the perfect job, and, of course, her.

My phone buzzes again. I glance at it, trying not to look too eager.

You're adorable, Minho. Thanks again x

Adorable? That is a code for harmless. Adorable is what people call you when you look innocent and naive. But at least I got an 'x'.

Dariel walks back into the room, still fiddling with that stupid tie. "What's with the face? Luciana text you again?"

"No. Just thinking about how much better I'd look in a tie than you."

He laughs. "Once you graduate, you'll see. But that doesn't change my years of practice."

I grab my backpack and sling it over my shoulder, suddenly needing to be anywhere but here.

"Where are you going?" he asks.

"Out," I snap.

"Try not to trip over your feelings on the way out," he calls after me.

I slam the door harder than I need to, the sound echoing down the quiet street. The cold air bites at my skin as I shove my hands into my pockets and start walking. I don't have a destination in mind, but that's fine.

Dariel is twenty years old, his birthday six days after mine. He graduated high school quite a while ago and is currently working in an office as he takes evening college classes.

A few weeks after he went on that date with Luciana on Valentine's Day—almost a year ago—they started dating. They're like two peas in a pot.

Well, more like... magnetic peas. They often hang out, but their personalities differ from each other now and then. Dariel is competitive, while Luciana would make others win on purpose. She's quite naive, Dariel isn't.

Playful, trusting, affectionate, funny, intelligent, optimistic, beautiful, warm, independent, gentle but assertive, passionate, friendly, creative, honest, thoughtful, intuitive, daydreamer, humble, oblivious, pretty, gorgeous, stunning, lovely, elegant, graceful, heavenly, engaging, divine, delightful, sweet—everything Dariel's not.

Except Dariel is everything I'm not. At first, that seems good. He's critical, intimidating, struggles with vulnerability, and emotionally distant.

But when someone is everything you're not, it stops feeling like balance and starts feeling like a constant reminder of what you lack. Dariel doesn't just fill the gaps; he makes me painfully aware of them. Where I stumble, he passes. Where I hesitate, he takes control.

At first, I thought it was admiration—the kind of awe you feel for someone who seems to have it all together. Dariel doesn't admire anyone but Luciana. He measures people. And I'll never measure up to him.

So he might be everything I'm not, but he's also everything Luciana doesn't need. He treats her amazingly, but I could do better.

Though she'll never date someone who's still in high school. I need to have patience for a few more months—won't add up to all years I've waited.

After a while, I stop in front of a house. It's smaller than Dad's house, but always feels more welcoming: it's Mom's.

They divorced when I was fourteen. Not only did they have poor communication skills, but my mom valued family time, while my dad was, and is, highly career-driven. It didn't match.

"Minho?" Mom opens the door, a whole wave of warmth and her perfume hitting me. "We talked about this."

"About what?" I ask innocently.

"You stay at your father's from Monday to Wednesday, and at mine from Wednesday to Friday. We alternate the weekends. It's Sunday, and this weekend, you're staying at your father's."

"It's not like you mind."

"I don't, indeed, but your father might." She embraces me into a short hug. "Are you on foot? Where's your coat? And beanie? Your ears are cold! Why are you here? Did something happen?"

I remove her hands from my stiff ears. "No, I just felt like staying at your place. It's more fun with you."

"Shh, don't say that." She hits the back of my head as she allows me inside, closing the door behind me. "Did you bring your school supplies? Otherwise, you need to go home. You have school tomorrow and you can't forget anything—"

I point at my backpack. "Look, I already packed it. It was all ready. You proud of me?" A giant grin forms on my face.

"Sure, sure." Mom walks into the kitchen. She looks effortlessly put together, as always. Her hair is pulled back in a sleek bun, not a single strand out of place. Her warm eyes scan me. She's small, barely reaching my shoulder now, but she has this presence that fills the whole house the moment she's in it.

I follow her. The familiar smell of jasmine tea and freshly cooked rice radiates off the kitchen.
Candles surround her cooked food. Mom's always burning some sort of candle. She says it makes the house feel alive. It's a small place, but it's cozy in a way Dad's house will never be.

The walls are painted a soft cream, lined with framed family photos and artwork she's collected over the years. A bamboo plant sits in the corner of the living room next to a low, wooden coffee table.

The kitchen is just off to the side. The counters are cluttered—jars filled with rice, spices, and dried herbs, a half-empty fruit basket, and a set of teacups arranged on a tray.

"Have you eaten yet?"

I shake my head. "Dad has some kind of colleague party and Dariel is going to eat dinner at Luciana's." My stomach flips when I pronounce her name.

Apart from her, I'm also in love with her name. Most people call her Lucy or Ana, but it will never be as beautiful as her real name.

"I'm going to talk to them about this. They can't just leave you alone all the time. You need healthy, cooked food."

"I'll get poisoned if Dad cooks," I complain, sitting down at the kitchen table. "I'll be fine on my own."

"You can't order pizza all the time."

"I can cook for myself, you know?"

She gives me a pointed look.

"What? I genuinely can! I'm better than anyone else in Dad's house."

"Tomorrow evening, I want to see you cook, then," she decides. "Whatever. For all I care, join Dariel's evenings. Luciana can cook, right?"

I straighten up. "Yes!—eh, can you ask them?"

"No, you should do that."

"I'm not doing that. You're the one who wants me to eat healthy."

"You're old enough to ask." She puts the rice down, along with a bowl of red chili paste. My mouth waters at the sight. Sweet but spicy. Just perfect, especially because Mom made it. "So, got any tests planned?"

We talk about school for a while, then about what she has been doing the past week as we eat a dessert. I help her clean up, something I'd never do at Dad's, and then join her on the couch.

"Just two hours," she says, turning the TV on. "Then I want you to go to bed."

"Mhm."

Our favorite show appears on the screen. I snuggle closer—a few minutes later, Mom drapes a soft blanket over both of us.

She doesn't say anything, just tucks the edges around my shoulders, her movements gentle and precise. I relax into her side.

Halfway through, she shifts and looks down at me. "You're quiet," she says.

"Just tired," I say. And enjoying the peace.

She presses her lips together like she's debating whether to say something, then ruffles my hair. "Well, don't fall asleep here. I don't want to carry you to bed."

I smile. "You could try."

"I'd throw you on the floor before I'd try carrying you. You're heavier than you look."

"Rude."

She returns the smile, and brushes the strands of hair she put out of place back.