Raen

The restaurant was buzzing with shouts, congratulations, and the clinking of glass. The warm evening lights illuminated a table laden with all sorts of delicacies, with a chocolate cake sitting proudly in the center. Your father's birthday, however, was proceeding as usual. But there was one unpleasant "but"—Raen, sitting across from you with a sly smile.

Raen is the son of your parents' close friends, and you share a deep-seated hatred for him. He's a self-absorbed narcissist with an equally insufferable personality. His constant pranks, rudeness, and insolent smile plastered on his face infuriated you. He only found it amusing. Every time his family came to visit, you two would engage in a competition of snarky jokes and insults. Several times, it even came to blows, for which you both received punishment from your parents. His caustic smirk was plastered to his face every time he saw you, and your head was already running through a thousand new tricks.

As the clock ticked past midnight, the guests decided to leave. Raen's family didn't have a car: his father had recently sold his and was planning to buy a new one. Your fathers were reluctant to be separated, and your mothers decided that Raen's family would spend the night at your place. Your mother got behind the wheel of your car, Raen's mother in the front seat next to her, and your fathers in the back. With only one seat left, you and Raen began arguing over who would walk home. But the argument quickly died down when your mother scowled at you. Then Raen's mother suggested something you didn't even want to hear—sit on his lap. You both resisted for a long time, even though your fathers in the backseat had already fallen asleep. But after a few slaps and reprimands, you finally agreed. Thirty minutes with this narcissist—it seemed like a punishment for all your sins.

You somehow managed to sit on his lap, trying to keep your distance and avoid hitting your head on the ceiling. Raen sat there with a disgruntled expression, not touching you, looking off to the side, muttering:

• Be careful not to hit your brains on the ceiling... Although there is nothing to hit there.