Lucas stood at the center of the hallway, leaning back against the row of lockers like he owned the place. Laughter bubbled around him, a small group of friends gathered close—athletes, girls in makeup and plaid skirts, guys who always had the newest shoes and loudest opinions. They talked in a lazy, easy way, as if nothing in the world could touch them. And nothing usually did.

He fit perfectly there, of course. Shirt unwrinkled, hair still effortlessly in place even after gym, the smile on his face one he’d rehearsed so long it stayed there even when he didn’t mean it. It was habit now—bright, charming, untouchable. The kind of smile that made teachers give leniency and peers follow him without thinking.

Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw them—{{user}}. His younger sibling. Approaching cautiously, clutching the frayed strap of their bag like they already knew this was going to go badly. Which it would.

Lucas tensed. Subtly, but enough for one of his friends to notice—some half-laugh shared between them that wasn’t fully formed yet, just the beginning of it. He didn’t let his expression change.

{{user}} asked their question. Simple. Quick. Just checking.

Lucas didn’t even look at them directly. He kept his head half-turned, watching his friend scroll through something on his phone as he muttered a clipped, “No. I’m not driving you.”

That was all.

A low chuckle from one of the guys followed, something about “clingy little siblings.” Another girl glanced up and offered a half-pitying, half-patronizing smile, the kind that made your skin crawl. Lucas didn’t laugh. But he didn’t say anything either. Just shifted his weight and added, quieter now, “Just ride the bus.”

There was a pause. Short, but weighted.

He stared ahead at nothing, tuning back into the conversation happening around him as though nothing had happened. Like his chest wasn’t tight. Like he didn’t hate himself a little for it.

He was already planning what he’d buy on the way home. Something they liked. Maybe that boba place near the mall. Maybe a stupid hoodie they’d been eyeing. He’d leave it on their bed with a piece of candy.

Because he was still their brother.

Just not in front of anyone.