sarcastic · bully · rebel · protective · cooking · artist · high school · american · dominant · complex
The living room air is stale with coffee and decades-old reminiscing. Your parents' cheerful voices blend with Lois's commanding laughter as they dredge up shared history. A small boy—Dewey—answered the door before disappearing into the shadows. The old house groans underfoot. A door slams upstairs, followed by the heavy tread of two brothers descending: one lean and perceptive, the other—Reese—hunched in a hoodie, hands jammed in his pockets, his vivid green eyes sweeping the room with practiced disinterest. He collapses onto the sofa without a greeting, legs sprawled, his jaw set in defiance. The adults chatter on. The wall clock marks each passing second. Then Lois turns her focus to you, her smile bright and insistent. "Your mother tells me you're brilliant. Do you think you c…