The house was silent in the way only late nights could make it -- still, heavy, every creak of the floorboards sharp as a heartbeat. The hallway light had been switched off hours ago, leaving only a faint glow spilling from the kitchen door where Sophie sat perched on the counter, her knees hugged to her chest, her phone balanced carefully in her hands.
The hum of the refrigerator filled the quiet, steady and low, a kind of backdrop to the fragile moment she was trying to hold together. On her screen, her mother's face appeared, half-shaded by the glare of neon lights from some busy street far away. Behind her, glass storefronts glittered with foreign brands, their names printed in bold French letters.
"Look, Sophie," her mom said brightly, lifting a sleek paper bag with a logo stamped in gold foil. "This is from Paris. A new perfume, everyone's obsessed with it. And this.." she held up a dress, twirling it a little, laughter lacing her voice "...oh, you'll look so grown up in it. I'll send it soon, you'll see."
Sophie stared at the screen, her throat tightening. She forced a small smile, but her chest felt heavier with each bag her mother displayed. "I don't need them, Mom," she said softly, her voice almost drowned by the refrigerator's hum. "I don't want perfume or dresses. I just want you to come home."
Her mother's smile faltered, her arm dropping with the bags. For a moment the sounds of another language and chatter filled the call, the muffled life of wherever she was. "Oh, sweetheart…" she sighed, "we've been over this. I can't come home yet. There's still so much I have to do here."
"But it's been so long." Sophie's voice cracked. Her grip on the phone trembled. "You don't understand what it feels like. I feel alone all the time. I miss you so much, Mom."
Her mother tried to keep her tone light, almost dismissive, as though her daughter's pain could be smoothed over with reason. "But your father's there, isn't he? And you're staying with Linda too. That means you finally have an older sister, just like you always wanted. Doesn't that make it easier?"
Sophie shook her head fiercely, tears threatening to fall. "They treat me well, I'm not saying they don't. But it's not you. I just… I just want you here."
The noise on the other end grew louder, someone calling her mother's name, insisting on her attention. Sophie's mother looked back at the screen, guilt flickering in her eyes. "I have to go, honey. I'll call again soon, okay? I love you."
The call ended.
The kitchen seemed suddenly emptier, the glow of the screen replaced with Sophie's faint reflection in black glass. Her shoulders began to shake, silent sobs spilling as tears streamed unchecked. She pulled her knees tighter to her chest, burying her face in them, muffling the sound.
That was when Ethan padded in.
Barefoot, hair disheveled, he'd crept down the stairs with only one thought -- raiding the fridge. He paused at the threshold, noticing the glow first, then Sophie hunched against it. He froze, the fridge's hum and her quiet sniffles making the air fragile, too sharp to break.
Instead of announcing himself, he leaned against the doorframe, listening without meaning to.
Her words replayed in his head: I just want you here.
The sting in her voice made him shift uncomfortably, guilt crawling into his chest for overhearing something so private. But when she wiped her cheeks roughly with the back of her hand, thinking no one was there, he sighed and made his presence known.
He walked straight to the fridge, tugging it open, letting the cold light spill across the room. "You know," he said casually, trying not to scare her, "I've always wanted one of those perfumes your mom just waved around. Or maybe that dress. Think it'd look good on me?"
Sophie's head snapped up, her cheeks damp, eyes red. She glared weakly at him. "You can have it for all I care."
Ethan smirked, leaning against the fridge door. "That bad, huh?"
She sniffled, wiping her nose with her sleeve. "It's wrong to eavesdrop on people's conversations."
"That's the thing about this house," he countered, finally grabbing a soda can and shutting the fridge. "No privacy. Especially when you've got Maya for a sister. Trust me, you're lucky you're an only child."
Sophie let out a short, bitter laugh. "Please. I'd trade anything to have an older sister. You're ungrateful."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, amused. He slid into the chair across from her, resting his arms on the table. "Ungrateful, huh? You don't know half the story. Maya and I? We were disasters as kids. Couldn't stand each other. She'd tattle, I'd steal her snacks. She even tried to lock me out of the house once."
Sophie blinked, despite herself, a faint smile tugging her lips. "You're making that up."
"Swear on my soda," he said, holding up the can like a solemn oath. "She hated having a brother. Always begged our parents for a baby sister instead. Said I was the biggest mistake they ever made."
Sophie laughed, a real one this time, watery but genuine. She shook her head, not believing him. "There's no way. Maya adores you."
"That's the funny part," Ethan said softly, his tone shifting. "When we got older… and our dad left… it was just us. We only had each other to rely on. She became my best friend without meaning to. Maya can be as hard as a coconut, but inside? She's the softest person I know. She'll never admit it, but she cares more than anyone."
Sophie's lips parted slightly, her eyes shimmering with curiosity. "Are we talking about the same Maya?"
He chuckled. "Hard to believe, right? But yeah. She's the world's best sister. I wouldn't trade her for anything."
Sophie exhaled slowly, whispering, "You're lucky."
Ethan smiled faintly. "Yeah. I am. But hey, if you want… I can be your older brother too. Or..." his grin widened mischievously, " ...I'll even throw on a wig and some bras, play the role of older sister. What do you think?"
Sophie let out a loud laugh this time, pushing at him playfully. "Ew. No thanks. You'd look horrible in bras."
"Aw, come on," Ethan teased, feigning offense. "I'd rock them."
She wiped her eyes with her sleeve again, her laughter softening into something warmer. "But… having an older brother wouldn't be so bad."
His smirk faded into a small, sincere smile. He leaned forward, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret. "Hey… do you want to know the best way to get to Maya?"
Sophie's eyes widened with sudden intrigue. She leaned closer, nodding quickly. "Yes. Very much."
The night held its breath.
And that was where it ended.