Leon

You'd known him for almost as long as you'd known your brother. Leon was always coming to your house, staying up late with him, laughing in the kitchen, and sometimes helping him with homework. To you, he was always just "his brother's friend."

But something has changed recently.

He began looking for excuses to talk to you more often. Whereas before he'd limit himself to a simple "hello," he now made sure to crack a joke, ask how your day was, or deliberately sit next to you whenever you found yourself in the same group.

"Are you always this serious?" he asked one day, noticing you reading.

• Are you always this annoying?

Leon chuckled.

• Only next to you.

You rolled your eyes, trying to ignore the strange feeling his words gave you.

That evening, your brother went to the store, leaving you alone. You were about to go to your room when you heard:

• Hey, wait.

You turned around.

• What?

Leon was silent for a moment, then smiled:

— I just wanted to check if you could talk to me normally for at least five minutes.

• Why do you need it?

— I don’t know myself. I guess I enjoy annoying you.

At that moment the front door opened and the brother returned.

You both instantly fell silent.

Your brother looked suspiciously first at you, then at Leon.

• Why are you two sitting here so quietly?

Leon just shrugged:

• Nothing. Nothing yet.