CLOSE-KNIT SIBLINGS

Chapter 1

I let out a massive yawn, stretching as I scratched at my loose pajamas. My steps were sluggish as I made my way downstairs, still groggy from sleep. It was Sunday, after all—sleeping in late was practically mandatory.

The hum of the exhaust fan in the kitchen greeted me, signaling that Aria was already up and busy making breakfast.

Sure enough, as soon as she heard the faint creak of the stairs, her voice rang out from the kitchen, cheerful and energetic as always.

“Ashe, you’re finally awake! Breakfast will be ready in just a second.”

My reply was nothing but an exaggerated yawn, loud enough to make sure she heard it. She chuckled softly, amused, but I didn’t respond. Instead, I shuffled over to the couch and collapsed onto it, grabbing the remote to flick on the TV.

The screen lit up to reveal a short-haired, strikingly beautiful young reporter. Her petite frame and poised mannerisms commanded attention, and her features were sharp and delicate. Although she looked professional and confident, you could tell she wasn’t much older than me. Twenty-two, tops.

What? How do I know her age so precisely? Well, that’s because…

“Hey, Aria, Luna didn’t come home again last night, did she?” I asked, still staring at the TV.

That’s right. My name’s Ashe. I’m 17 and currently a high school junior. I have two older sisters: Aria, who’s 25, and Luna, who’s 22. And that gorgeous reporter you’re watching on the morning news? That’s Luna, my second sister. She’s been working as a journalist at the TV station and hasn’t been home for two days now.

Moments later, Aria appeared with two plates of Western-style breakfast. She set one in front of me and sat down at the table.

“Yeah, she’s been so busy lately. The station’s running her ragged. Luna just started there, so she’s eager to make a name for herself. She’s got big ambitions, but I worry she might push herself too hard.”

She placed a glass of milk next to my plate, flashing me a warm smile. “And you,” she added, pointing a finger at me, “could you try not to fight with her so much? It’s not helping anyone.”

I muttered something incoherent, my mouth already stuffed with a bite of sandwich.

“And what about you?” she asked. “You’re applying for college next year. Have you decided where you want to go yet?”

I swallowed and shrugged nonchalantly. “Of course! I’m aiming for the top university in Houston. They say the academics are great, but the campus? Absolutely gorgeous. Especially the nighttime views. It’s a hotspot for young couples—legendary, really. I’ve been dreaming about it forever.”

Aria raised an eyebrow at my response but didn’t say much. Instead, she sighed. “Ashe, you’re almost an adult now. But your laid-back attitude worries me sometimes. How am I supposed to feel at ease leaving you and Luna to fend for yourselves when I get married?”

Her words stopped me in my tracks. I didn’t respond right away, not because I was worried about my future, but because of Aria herself. She was really getting married.

Our mother passed away when I was just a kid, and Dad, always busy with work, spent most of his time abroad. He was providing for us, sure, but that left no time for parenting. Aria stepped in and took on that role. She practically raised Luna and me on her own.

“The eldest sister is like a mother,” people often said, and in our case, it was true. After Mom’s passing, Aria sacrificed so much—her time, her youth, and even her own happiness—to ensure that Luna and I had everything we needed. She missed out on countless opportunities to date or enjoy life like a regular young woman.

But now, at 25, Aria had finally met someone special. Chad, a young, dashing manager at her company, had been pursuing her for months. And with Luna and me old enough to take care of ourselves, Aria finally said yes to his proposal. In just three months, she would walk down the aisle as a June bride.

Not to brag, but my sisters have always been known for their beauty. As kids, they were the talk of the neighborhood—adorable little girls with porcelain skin and delicate features that only seemed to grow more stunning as they got older. Their smooth, flawless complexions and radiant smiles were enough to make anyone stop and stare.

Aria was the epitome of elegance and grace. Her soft-spoken nature and nurturing demeanor made her the favorite among the neighborhood elders, who often joked that she was the perfect daughter-in-law material.

Luna, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. She was wild, bold, and fiercely independent. Growing up, she was always the tomboy, running around with the boys and getting into all sorts of mischief. Even now, Luna’s vibrant, untamed energy and natural charisma made her stand out in any crowd.

Living with two sisters as beautiful as Aria and Luna had its perks—and its challenges. During my early teenage years, I couldn’t help but develop a bit of a crush on them. Not that I’d ever admit it out loud, but they were the stars of my adolescent fantasies. Even now, I sometimes catch myself daydreaming about them.

But back to Chad—my future brother-in-law. Objectively speaking, he was perfect. Tall, handsome, and successful, with a good heart to match. His father, d**k, was a prominent businessman in Houston, a name you’d often hear on the local news. He also happened to be the chairman of the company where Aria worked.

Chad treated me well, too. He often brought gifts, subtly trying to win me over. And I didn’t dislike him, not one bit. But no matter how much I liked him, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy. He was taking Aria away from us, from me.

After we finished breakfast, Aria mentioned that Chad would be picking her up soon to go wedding dress shopping. Their wedding was going to be a grand affair at the Palm Hotel, with over 500 guests in attendance. Apparently, Aria would have to change into 15 different gowns throughout the event.

Seeing her excitement as she talked about it, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of bitterness. I turned off the TV and dragged myself back upstairs, flopping onto my bed. Maybe a nap would help clear my head.

As I lay there staring at the ceiling, I couldn’t shake the mixture of emotions bubbling inside me. Pride for Aria, gratitude for everything she’d done, and, yes, jealousy at the thought of losing her.

I wasn’t sure how to deal with it all. But one thing was clear—life as I knew it was about to change, and I wasn’t sure I was ready for it.