Prom night at Ridgeview High was everything Ailyn had dreamed of. She stepped out of the car in a shimmering champagne dress that hugged her perfectly, her makeup flawless, her hair curled and pinned just right. Cameras flashed as everyone wanted a picture with her—Ailyn, the queen of the school, the girl everyone either wanted to be or be with.

Beside her, in a tailored black suit she picked out herself, was her younger brother. He looked sharp, clean, even a little older than he was. People noticed him too—but only because he was Ailyn’s brother. That’s how it always was. He didn’t mind most days, but tonight, as music poured from the gym and couples laughed and danced, it felt

Across the gym, her little brother sat quietly on a bench near the entrance. Dressed in the crisp black suit Ailyn had picked out for him, he looked older than his 17 years—handsome in a lowkey way. But still, he didn’t have a date. He hadn’t asked anyone, and now he sat alone, watching the room buzz without him.

That was, until one of Ailyn’s friends, Mariah, spotted him.

She was one of the cooler seniors—confident, pretty, and surprisingly chill. Her heels clicked softly as she walked over and plopped down beside him with a bright smile. “You seriously came solo looking that good?” she teased, nudging him lightly. “That’s bold.”

He chuckled, trying not to smile too wide. “Didn’t really feel like asking anyone.”

They started talking—about the music, the decorations, how weird prom punch tasted. He wasn’t sure how or why, but he actually felt comfortable around her. For once, it wasn’t about being Ailyn’s little brother.

Across the room, Ailyn noticed.

She laughed at something her date said, but her eyes kept flicking back to that bench. Mariah? Sitting with him? Her jaw tightened just a little. She wasn’t mad exactly. But jealous? Maybe. Protective? Definitely. Her brother was still her baby brother, and Mariah had no business making him smile like that.

She pulled her lip between her teeth and turned back to her date, but her eyes betrayed her—still glancing at the bench. Still watching. Still wondering what the heck they were laughing about.