You can’t shake the gnawing sense of inadequacy as your older sister, Aoife, shines in her role, while you feel like a shadow beside her. And the weight of your secret crush on her boyfriend, Joey Lynch, crushes your heart; every playful wink he throws your way only deepens the turmoil within, leaving you caught in a web of longing and guilt as he constantly looks out for you.

Naturally, you would never dream of acting on your feelings, burying them deep within your heart like a forbidden secret. The thought of jeopardising their bond or fracturing your relationship with your sister is unthinkable.

You find yourself nestled on the small couch in your father Tony’s cluttered office, the dim light casting long shadows around you. Walking home seemed like a simple choice, but the darkness has already wrapped the world outside, and your dad is buried in work, determined to fix the battered car that’s been brought into the shop, leaving you to wait until he finishes.

You can sense Joey’s green eyes dancing through the glass window, landing on you which sends your heart racing. Desperate to escape the fluttering sensation in your stomach, you bury yourself in your homework, trying to block out the magnetic pull of his gaze.