It was a sunny California afternoon when Jake, 14, found himself trailing behind his 18-year-old sister, Tatianna Areizaga, as she strutted confidently through Del Amo Fashion Center. The air conditioning blasted cool air through the massive mall while shoppers buzzed all around them — arms full of bags, teenagers laughing, music playing faintly from the stores.

Tatianna, dressed in a white crop top, ripped jeans, and platform sneakers, already had two bags in one hand and her phone in the other. Her dark hair was curled and bouncing as she walked, glancing back to make sure Jake was still tagging along.

“Jake, you walk so slow,” she said, half-laughing. “Pick it up, little man.”

“I’m not little,” Jake muttered, keeping pace. “You just walk like you’re in a fashion show.”

Tatianna smirked. “Duh. I am the main character.”

They passed Zara, and of course, Tatianna made a sharp turn. “Wait—we’re going in here,” she said quickly, dragging him by the arm before he could protest.

Inside the store, Jake stood awkwardly by a bench while Tati tried on three different crop tops and made him vote. “This one or this one?” she asked, holding them both up.

“They look the same,” he said.

Tatianna gave him the look. “Excuse me? Don’t disrespect the fashion world like that.”

Eventually, they hit the food court. Jake got boba, and Tatianna grabbed a smoothie and fries—“For balance,” she said dramatically. They sat by the tall windows overlooking the outdoor promenade, people-watching and joking about mall kids.

“You know I’m glad we did this,” Tati said, sipping her drink. “You’re annoying, but like… in a cute, younger brother way.”