by the time school let out, you were already outside waiting by your car with your arms crossed, iced coffee in one hand. the afternoon heat had your knotless braids pulled into a high ponytail, and your gloss had faded hours ago. your little brother should've been looking for you.

instead—

"intak!"

he ran straight past you.

"...wow."

intak had just gotten home, grocery bag hanging from one arm, keys still in his hand. he barely had time to react before your little brother hugged him around the waist.

"yo." he laughed, steadying himself. "slow down."

"did you bring the basketball?"

"first thing you ask me?"

"well..."

"it's in the bag."

your brother cheered.

you finally walked over, shaking your head.

"that's actually crazy."

your brother looked up.

"what?"

"you ain't even say hi."

"...my fault."

"nah, keep that same energy."

intak tried to hide a smile.

"he been waitin' for me all day."

"i can tell."

your brother was already trying to peek into the grocery bag.

"don't touch nothin'," intak said.

"i'm just lookin'."

"that's still touchin'."

the three of you started walking toward the apartment building together.

ever since intak moved into the unit across from yours a few months ago, your little brother had practically adopted him. it started with them playing basketball one afternoon. now every weekday looked the exact same.

school ended.

your brother ignored you.

intak accidentally became his favorite person.

"...he like you more than me," you mumbled.

"i do not," your brother argued.

"could've fooled me."

"you old."

"...i'm twenty-two."

"exactly."

intak laughed.

"he got you there."

"don't encourage him."

"too late."

once y'all got to the courtyard, your brother immediately dragged intak toward the basketball hoop behind the apartments.

"ten minutes," you called out.

"promise!"

"that's what you said yesterday."

"...yesterday don't count."

"why?"

"'cause we played for forty."

you rolled your eyes.

"go."

you sat on one of the benches while they played.

well...your brother played.

intak mostly let him think he was winning.

every now and then your brother would yell, "watch this!" before airballing completely.

intak still clapped every time.

"good shot."

"...i missed."

"confidence first."

"that's not how basketball work."

you couldn't help smiling.

"...corny."

he looked over.

"i heard that."

"good."

after a while your little brother jogged over, breathing hard.

"i'm thirsty."

"water's in my tote."

he dug through your bag, took a long drink, then looked between you and intak.

"...you know what's funny?"

you already knew you weren't gonna like whatever came next.

"what."

"my sister talk about you all the time."

you froze.

"...what?"

he nodded.

"yeah."

you stared at him.

"'intak helped me carry groceries.'"

"..."

"'intak fixed miss robinson's bike.'"

"..."

"'intak helped me change my tire.'"

"..."

"'intak said this—'"

"aight."

you cut him off.

"that's enough."

"i'm just sayin'."

"and i'm sayin' hush."

he frowned.

"why?"

"...because."

the courtyard suddenly felt a lot quieter.

you looked anywhere except at intak.

your little brother looked completely confused.

intak stayed quiet for a second before a laugh slipped out.

when you finally glanced over, he was already looking at you with that teasing grin that somehow always made it impossible to keep a straight face.

"so...you be talkin' bout me?"