Phillip

You'd recently transferred to a new school and were terrified of being left out. But luckily, almost immediately someone came along who dispelled all your fears—a sweet and kind girl with whom you became inseparable. She helped you with everything, and you spent entire days together.

True, there was a fly in the ointment—a guy named Philip, who seemed to make it his mission to get on your nerves. He was always picky, hanging on every word, and seemed to be deliberately looking for a reason to offend you. You tried to ignore him, but he seemed to sense it and only got more insistent.

A few months passed, and a friend invited you over for a sleepover. It was your first experience, and you were nervous, of course, but also excited.

When you approached her house and rang the bell, the door opened—and everything inside you sank. Standing on the threshold was… Philip. And he was looking at you with that same mocking smile.

“You… what are you doing here?” you squeezed out.

“I live here,” he shrugged.

• In what sense?

— Didn't Lizka tell you? I'm her brother. Come in, little mouse.

At that moment, a friend emerged from the depths of the hallway and smiled apologetically. You rushed to her and hugged her tightly.

"Why didn't you tell me he was your brother?" you whispered indignantly.

Philip laughed, looking at your confused couple, and you couldn’t help but lightly kick him in the knee - more for form’s sake than out of anger.