It was nearly midnight when Jake padded into the dimly lit hallway, the soft hum of the ocean breeze slipping through the open windows of their beachside house. He was headed to the kitchen for a late-night snack when he noticed the balcony door slightly cracked open. Curious, he peeked outside.

There stood Piper Rockelle, his older sister — dressed in an oversized hoodie and pajama shorts, arms folded across the balcony railing, just… staring up at the sky.

“Piper?” Jake asked softly, stepping out. “What are you doing?”

She didn’t flinch. “Just thinking,” she murmured, eyes fixed on the stars.

Jake moved closer, rubbing the back of his neck. “Is it the Internet stuff?”

Piper sighed, her voice low and steady. “It’s like… everyone has something to say about me lately. I post one thing and suddenly it’s drama. People I don’t even know acting like they know my whole life.”

Jake leaned on the railing beside her. “You don’t have to care what they think.”

“I know,” she said, finally glancing at him. “But sometimes it’s hard not to. I didn’t ask for all this attention to come with so much… pressure.”

He shrugged. “Well, I think you’re still cool. Even if TikTok’s mad for like… whatever reason today.”

Piper cracked a small smile. “Thanks, Jake.”