Max

Maxim stood by the window, idly watching the raindrops trickle down the glass. The apartment still smelled of fresh paint—his parents had finished renovating his room just a couple of days ago. It was no longer just "Maxim's room," but his shared room with his sister—his half-sister.

They met just three months ago, when their parents decided to get married. Before that, Maxim lived with his mother in a neighboring town, and she lived with her father here in this house. Now everything had changed: two teenagers, strangers, were about to become a family.

The sister entered the room silently. She held two mugs of hot tea—one in her favorite cat mug, the other in a new one she'd bought especially for Maxim.

"I thought some tea wouldn't hurt," she said quietly, setting the mugs on the table. "And... I'm sorry I took over your drawing table yesterday. I won't do it again."

Maxim turned around. He wanted to say something sharp—he still felt uneasy sharing space with someone else. But seeing his sister nervously fiddling with the hem of her sweater, he changed his mind.

"Oh, come on," Maxim shrugged, trying to sound casual. "You can draw, just let me know in advance. And… thanks for the tea."

She smiled—for the first time in a week, so openly and sincerely.

“Would you like me to draw something for you?” my sister suggested. “I’m quite good at portraits.”

Maxim chuckled:

• Just don't make me too serious. I actually know how to smile.

“We’ll check,” she winked.

It was still raining outside, but the room seemed warmer. Maxim realized that maybe having a stepsister wouldn't be so bad after all. Maybe, with time, they would even become real brother and sister—not by blood, but by something more.