Usually, his 22-year-old sister was busy with college classes, her job, or hanging out with Demitra and Eliana. And when she was home, her idea of “quality sibling time” usually meant teasing him in front of their other sisters, rolling her eyes when he said something dumb, or stealing the last slice of pizza just to mess with him.

But today? Today was different.

Jake had barely woken up when Sunday knocked on his bedroom door. She peeked her head in, sunglasses already on her head and keys dangling in her hand.

“Get dressed,” she said. “I’m taking you to the mall.”

Jake blinked. “Wait—just me?”

“No, Jake. I meant me and my imaginary friend.” She smirked, then added more softly, “Yes, just you. Let’s go.”

Jake scrambled to throw on his hoodie and sneakers, still wondering if this was a prank. But nope—twenty minutes later, they were cruising down the freeway with the windows down and music blasting from Sunday’s playlist.

At first, it felt awkward. She wasn’t teasing him, wasn’t mocking his music taste or pointing out that he still had a baby picture as his phone wallpaper. She was just… being nice.

“Okay, what’s going on?” Jake finally asked as they walked through the mall entrance.

Sunday raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“You’re not roasting me. You’re not dragging Demi or Eli into this. And you haven’t called me a ‘little gremlin’ once.”

She laughed—really laughed. “I don’t always call you that.”

Jake stared at her.

“Okay, maybe I do. But not today.”

They hit the food court first, grabbing boba and pretzels, then wandered into a few stores. Sunday helped him pick out a hoodie she claimed made him “look like less of a dork,” and even bought it for him without a single sarcastic comment.

In a sneaker shop, she caught him staring at a pair of Jordans.

“You like those?” she asked.

Jake shrugged. “They’re sick, but… yeah. Just looking.”

Sunday nodded, then tugged him away gently. “Maybe for your birthday.”

They sat on a bench later, people-watching and sipping the last of their drinks.

“Y’know,” Sunday said, bumping her shoulder lightly against his. “I know I mess with you a lot, but you’re actually… kinda cool.”

Jake looked at her, surprised. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”

She smirked. “Don’t get used to it.”

He laughed. “I won’t. But… thanks for today. It means a lot.”

Sunday smiled, nudging him again. “You’re my little brother, Jake. Even if I tease you 99% of the time, I still love the heck outta you. Now come on. We’ve got one more store before we head out—and I need your brutally honest opinion on sunglasses.”