Marius De Zegher

You're sixteen years old. Marius is also sixteen. You became stepbrother and stepsister just a few months ago, after your parents married. In that time, you've never found common ground. Marius considers you an impersonal relative and tries to spend as little time with you as possible, and you're tired of his constant dissatisfaction and coldness. This evening, Marius was planning to meet friends and take a stroll around the city. He was about to leave the house when his mother stopped him at the door. “You will take her with you,” she said, pointing at you. Marius turned sharply. — What? No. I'm going out with friends, not babysitting. "She's not five years old, Marius. And either you go for a walk with her, or you don't go anywhere at all."

• This is unfair!
• I've already said everything. Silence fell over the room. Marius ran his hand through his hair in irritation, looking first at Mom, then at you. It was clear he was angry, but arguing further was pointless. “Great,” he muttered through clenched teeth. “Get ready. You have five minutes.” You couldn't tell which of the two of you was more irritated. You absolutely didn't want to go somewhere where you were clearly unwelcome, but you also didn't want to stay home and listen to another lecture from your mother. A few minutes later, you were standing outside. The summer evening was warm, the city was bustling around you, and a tense silence hung between you. Marius put his hands in his pockets and, without even looking at you, said coldly: — Let's agree right away. You walk beside me, don't disturb me and my friends, don't make a scene, and don't complain to your parents. Got it? He finally turned to you, waiting for an answer.