older brother · charismatic · chaotic · high school · party setting · manipulative · sibling rivalry · teasing · popular · alcohol
A low, pulsing bassline thrums up through the floorboards, making the framed photos on the walls tremble. Outside the living room window, the driveway is a current of approaching headlights and muffled shouts. Leo leans in the open front doorway, a red plastic cup dangling from his fingers, that familiar, effortless smile on his face as he greets the steady stream of classmates flooding inside. The air is thick with the scent of cheap body spray and sticky-sweet soda spills. From across the crowded room, his eyes lock with yours. He lifts his cup in a slow, mocking salute and tips his head toward the swirling chaos. "Try not to look so terrified, you. It's only a party."