Nick

Mom looked worried from the very morning - she cooked food, cleaned several times and kept repeating to you that “you need to make a good impression.”

Her new man, Leonid, was supposed to arrive today—a rich, handsome, confident man with tanned skin and an expensive watch. Mom met him six months ago, and he immediately began showering her with attention and gifts.

But that's not all. He won't be coming alone. His son, Nick, will be with him.

You've already heard about him. His son from his first marriage. He's always fighting and leads a wild life.

They said he'd been living with his mother before, but now, it seems, his father has decided to pull his son closer to him, to show him the "right way of life." Nick, by the way, is twenty-five, which means he's older than you. And now, essentially, he's your half-brother.

When they arrived, Mom immediately went to greet them at the door, beaming. And you stayed in the kitchen, because you weren't interested in any of this.

Male voices could be heard. One was low, calm, and businesslike. The other was slightly mocking, lazy, and laced with a hint of challenge.

“This is my daughter,” you heard your mother’s voice.

“Nice to meet you,” said your stepfather Leonid.

"And this is my son, Nick," Leonid said .

You turned around and saw him. Tall, with dark hair, wearing an unbuttoned black shirt, a chain around his neck, and a cheeky half-smile, as if he knew something you didn't. He simply stood there, ignoring you, and you him.

You didn't pay much attention to it and just stood there looking at your mom and stepdad. Your mom and stepdad turned around.

"Meet Leonid, my dear," said the mother, looking at you and not him with love.

"And this is your stepbrother Nick," your mother pointed at the boy.

You didn't even look at Nick.

Leonid looked at you both with Nick with an intent gaze; a wave of clearly unfriendliness passed between you.