WHEN I SEE YOU

“Mum!!!”

“Mum!!!”

“Brianna, what is it this time? It's late! People in the next neighborhood can probably hear you.”

“Well, Mum, why don’t you talk to your son? He’s driving me crazy!”

“What is it this time, Eric? What did you do to your sister?”

“Nothing, Mum. I only told her not to keep bad friends, but you know how stubborn your daughter can be.”

“Did you just call me stubborn?”

“Yeah, I just did.”

I wanted to kick him, right there in front of Mum. How dare he? We moved here three months ago because of Dad’s business, and Eric has made it his mission to stop me from making any friends.

I don’t understand why he can’t just mind his own business. Sure, he’s my older brother, but what gives him the right to act like he controls my life? He can have any friends he wants, but I can’t?

“I’m seventeen years old! I’m not a child! I can be friends with whoever I want, and you can’t stop me!”

“You’re still a child,” he said with that infuriating smile on his face.

“Mum, the next time Eric gets in the way of me trying to make friends, I swear I’ll make his life as miserable as he’s making mine!”

“Brianna, your brother is just looking out for you.”

“How? By scaring all my friends away? By making me look like some helpless little princess with a bodyguard lurking around?”

“I’m just protecting you, sis,” he said, grinning as he pecked my cheek and headed upstairs.

I clenched my fists, struggling to stay calm. I hated that smug, stupid smile of his. I wanted to slap it right off his face.

“Wash up and come down for dinner. I made your favorite,” Mum called after him.

“Okay, Mum,” he replied casually.

“That’s all you have to say? Really, Mum?”

“Brianna, your brother cares about you. That’s what makes him a big brother—he’s there to protect you.”

Mum cupped my cheeks like I was six years old, her voice soft and patient.

“I just don’t like how he does it around my friends. No one talks to me because he’s always glaring at them from a corner.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll talk to him. Now go upstairs, wash up, and get ready for dinner—it’s almost ready.”

“That’s what you always say, but you never do anything about it. Mum, we moved here, and I’m trying not to feel like I left my entire life back home. This place doesn’t feel like home.”

“Brianna, home isn’t just where your friends are. Home is where your family is.”

“But friends can be like family too. Without them, something feels... missing,” I said, my voice dropping as I turned toward the stairs.

“Where are you going?”

“To my room, to forget that Dad’s job keeps uprooting our lives all the time.”

“We won’t be moving again. I thought your dad told you that.”

“Yeah, he did. But what difference does it make?”

“It makes a lot of difference, Brianna.”

“I hope so.”

I went into my room, took a long shower, and tried to push my frustrations away. Sitting at my desk, I opened my math homework, but my heart wasn’t in it.

I didn’t like my math teacher. I didn’t like this city. Truthfully, I didn’t like anything about this place.

Mrs. Cromwell POV

I sighed, watching Brianna storm off to her room. I wonder who she inherited that fiery temper from. It’s not easy for her—I know that moving here has been tough—but her father and I made this choice for the family’s future. We wanted a better life, and when the opportunity came, we couldn’t say no.

I served dinner, setting the table in silence as my thoughts lingered on Brianna. Maybe Eric is too harsh with her sometimes. She looked genuinely upset earlier.

Heading upstairs, I found Eric glued to his video game, his face illuminated by the screen’s glow. Brianna, meanwhile, had fallen asleep at her desk, her head resting on her unfinished math homework.

“Eric, you’re so engrossed in that game you didn’t even notice me standing here. Do I need to hit you to get your attention?” I asked, crossing my arms.

He flinched, pulling off his headphones. “Sorry, Mum. Is dinner ready?”

“Yes. Go downstairs. I’ll wake your sister.”

“Do you want me to carry her down?” he offered, flashing his usual cheerful smile. That was Eric—always playful, always ready to help. It’s such a stark contrast to Brianna, who guards her independence like a fortress.

“No, I’ll handle it. Just head down.”

“Is Dad back yet?”

“No, he said he’ll be late—another meeting.”

“Okay,” he said, shrugging, before heading out.

I stepped into Brianna’s room and sat beside her. She looked so peaceful, her soft breaths breaking the stillness. Watching her, I saw so much of her father in her—the stubbornness, the passion. But her anger? I’m still trying to figure out where that comes from.

“Hey, sweetheart,” I whispered, brushing her hair gently. “Dinner’s ready. Come and eat something.”

She stirred, mumbling, “No, I want to sleep more.”

“Just a little food, then you can go back to sleep.”

“I don’t want to.”

“If you don’t get up right now, I’ll have your brother carry you down,” I teased, knowing it would spark just enough annoyance to wake her.

“Fine, I’m going,” she grumbled, dragging herself out of the chair and stomping downstairs.

At the Table

“Hey, sis!” Eric greeted with his usual cheerfulness.

“Save your greetings,” Brianna snapped, her glare sharp enough to cut steel. “I’m still mad at you.”

Eric raised his hands in mock surrender, a grin tugging at his lips.

“Brianna, don’t fight with your brother while we’re eating,” I said, exhaling heavily. I wished she could see how much her brother cared for her, but she was too stubborn to notice.

“Dad’s home!”

“We’re in here!” I called, glancing at Brianna, whose anger hadn’t waned as she continued throwing daggers at Eric with her eyes. Eric, as always, found amusement in her fury, laughing softly.

“Dad!” Brianna’s mood shifted instantly as she rushed to greet her father.

“My baby girl!” he exclaimed, lifting her in a warm embrace. Watching them, I often wondered who the real love of his life was—me or Brianna.

“What did you do to your sister, Eric?” my husband asked, his tone teasing but curious.

“Nothing! I was just looking out for her. Right, Mum?” Eric pleaded, trying to rope me into the conversation.

“I don’t know. I wasn’t there,” I said nonchalantly, stepping forward to take my husband’s bag.

“Hey, honey,” he said, leaning in for a kiss. “Missed you all day.”

I smiled, a soft blush warming my cheeks, and led him upstairs, leaving the kids to their inevitable squabble.

Brianna’s POV

The next morning, I woke up determined to have a good day. No Eric, no drama—just peace.

I quickly had breakfast and caught the school bus, leaving Eric behind to ride with his friend. That car! Nineteen years old and already driving! Must be nice to have parents like his friend’s, who trust their son with a car.

My parents, on the other hand, had strict rules: no cars until we’re twenty and above. It’s beyond frustrating.

As the bus pulled into the school parking lot, I spotted the “it” girls stepping out of their sleek Lamborghini. Ugh. They act like they own the place.

I walked to the school entrance, plugged in my earphones, and lost myself in my favorite song, nodding along to the beat.

“Hey, new girl, move. We want to pass.”

I ignored the voice, pretending not to hear.

“Hey! I’m talking to you! Who do you think you are?” A girl with “Becky” stitched on her uniform stepped closer, her tone sharp.

“I don’t remember being in your way. If you can’t pass, why don’t you fly instead?” I shot back, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

“You little brat! Don’t you know I’m your senior?”

“Call me a brat again, and I’ll break that stupid mouth of yours.”

Gasps rippled through the growing crowd as the argument escalated. Becky’s hand raised, poised to strike.

“Touch her, and I’ll break your hand.”

Eric’s voice cut through the tension like a knife.

Becky froze, her demeanor shifting instantly. “Eric?” she stammered, lowering her hand.

“Why are you harassing my sister?” he demanded, stepping between us.

“What? Harassing? No way! We were just talking, right?” Becky’s voice softened, her fake smile plastered on her face.

“Talking? With you?” I scoffed. “What could I possibly have to discuss with someone like you? You’re nothing but a two-faced b*tch.”

Her jaw dropped, and for a moment, she was speechless. But I wasn’t done.

I turned on my heel, glaring at Eric as he reached out to ruffle my hair. I slapped his hand away, storming off to class.

Why can’t I go a single day without Eric ruining it? And Becky? Her fake sweetness in front of him was nauseating.

Eric has all the freedom in the world—male friends, female friends, whatever. But me? I’m stuck with a list of rules a mile long.

Fine. If I can’t have male friends, then neither will Eric. If he wants to look out for me, I’ll show him exactly what that feels like. Game on, big brother.

“Hey, hi! My name is Gia,” a girl about my age chirped. I looked up, surprised by her strange combination of clothes. Her outfit didn’t match at all, and her hair was unkempt. Why is she dressed like that?

“Hi, I’m Brianna,” I replied hesitantly.

“I really like you, Brianna. Can we be friends?” she asked, grabbing my hand with a wide, hopeful smile.

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, two students appeared out of nowhere and started picking on her. She didn’t fight back, just stood there silently, letting them shove her around.

“Hey!” I yelled, my voice cutting through the commotion. “Are you nuts? Touch her again, and I’ll split you into two different shades!”

“Why don’t you mind your own business, brat?” one of them sneered.

“What did you just call me?” My temper flared. Before I knew it, I’d grabbed both of them by the hair and was dragging them across the floor like dirty rags.

Somehow, this led to me sittin