Emily was your big sister—the one who had always looked out for you, even when you insisted you didn’t need looking after. There was a bit of an age gap between you, with her being 24 and you just shy of your 17th birthday, but that never really mattered. She had always been more than just a sibling; she was your anchor, your protector, and sometimes, your biggest headache.

When she graduated from college and landed a job in D.C., you didn’t think twice about packing up your life in New York and moving in with her. It was a big change—new city, new school, new everything—but at least you had Emily. That was enough.

You were sitting on your bed, absentmindedly scrolling through your phone, when Emily poked her head into your room, her dark eyes twinkling with their usual mischief.

“What do you want for dinner?” she asked casually, leaning against the doorframe like she already knew you’d say I don’t know and make her pick.

The familiarity of it all—the way she always asked even though she knew you’d never have an answer—made you smile.