Accidental brother

Why Is Your Bag Dripping Water

When we got home, the house was empty. It always is. My mother still works at the bank, and my new dad works as a manager at a beer distribution company. They plan to save up and open a business for Mom so she can quit her bank job.

"So, what are we going to eat, cupcake?" the devil asked. I ignored him, still mad, as usual.

"Oh, are you still mad, cupcake?" he pressed. If someone saw him now, they’d think he was a good boy

"Let go of me, devil," I muttered through clenched teeth.

"Come on, that was an accident," he said. I don’t bother reporting him to our parents since he behaves like an angel in front of them. He makes everything he does to me look like an accident.

"Come on, I bet the boss left some money for us," he said. It’s surprising he never calls his father “dad,” only “boss.” Even their relationship feels more like friends than father and son. He went to check where our parents usually left money.

"Found it!" he said, waving the cash in my face. "So, what do you want to eat?"

"I’ll have noodles," I replied. He nodded and handed me my share. I didn’t bother asking what he wanted. I just went to my room, or rather, his room. He always lets me change first before coming in to get his stuff since he still has his belongings in here.

As I cooked, I was also on the phone with Martha, the only person who I thought knew about my feelings for Oliver. The phone was from our parents, meant for emergencies, and Mom would be furious if she knew I was cooking and taking phone calls at the same time.

"So, how did the conversation with Oliver go?" Martha asked, knowing I had planned to talk to him today.

"Ruined," I sighed, and she gasped.

"How?"

"By my devil brother," I said, squeezing the spoon in frustration as I waited for the noodles to be done.

"Are you not done with the noodles?" Mavis asked, walking into the kitchen. It’s true what they say: speak of the devil, and he appears.

"How is that your business?" I snapped at him.

"Because I want to boil water, cupcake," he smirked.

"For the last time, I’m not 'cupcake'!" I shouted, storming off.

"I hate him," I muttered to Martha.

"That’s just what brothers do," she said, trying to comfort me.

"Call me later. Mom needs her phone," Martha added. She uses her mom’s phone since she doesn’t have one of her own.

"Alright," I said and hung up, heading back to check on my noodles. The devil was already standing in the corner, sipping his tea. He drinks tea all the time, so it’s pretty clear it’s his favorite. I shot him a glare and dished out my noodles.

I left the kitchen, unable to stomach his presence, and retreated to my sanctuary, my room. I took a deep breath and spent a few moments calming my nerves, trying to flush the devil out of my thoughts. I always use the fantasy of Oliver to do that, and it works every time.

"Now, noodles, time to face demolition," I joked to myself, smiling. But as I took the first bite, my face twisted in disgust. The noodles were so salty they tasted like seawater. How could they have so much salt? Then it hit me, the devil had sabotaged them.

I rushed out to confront him, but he was already gone, no doubt off to play football. We don’t always wash our uniforms, but today, I would have to. I threw away the ruined noodles, careful not to let Mom find out. Then, I used some money from my savings to buy another pack. I wasn’t angry, just happy to finally have some time alone.

After washing my uniform and eating, I pulled out a photo of Oliver and me. It was from our JSS2 party, where we had played the roles of King and Queen. I smiled as I admired his perfect face. He could’ve been mine today if the devil hadn’t ruined everything. Well, there’s always another day.

"The bosses are home," I heard Mavis say, nudging me awake. I must have dozed off thinking about Oliver.

"Good evening, boss," he greeted his dad.

"Good evening, boss lady," he said to my mom. How could he show them his sweet, good-boy side while treating me like he is the devil?

"So, how was your day, kids?" Mom asked after I greeted them.

"Fine," the devil answered before I could, not that I planned to tell our parents everything anyway.

"Come, honey, let’s go freshen up," Dad said to Mom. It doesn’t even feel weird calling him Dad anymore. He’s been so sweet to me, and I have a feeling I might rely on him more than Mom in the future.

"Sure, boss. When you’re out, the food will be ready," Mavis said with his usual innocent look. I wanted to rip that facade apart and show everyone the devil he really was.

"Go prepare their food, cupcake," he ordered.

"I’m not your maid," I shot back.

He laughed. "I never said you were, just reminding you of your duty," he said, walking into the room.

I went to prepare the food since, technically, it was my duty. I wondered how much more of his pranks I could endure before I finally snapped.

The next morning, I was rushing to school. Our parents always leave early, leaving us alone, so Mavis wasted a ton of time in the bathroom and even hid my school bag. By the time I found it, I was already late. How can such a devil exist.

"You’ll have to clear the field after school," the senior prefect told the latecomers. I’m rarely ever late, but the devil made sure I was today.

"Why is your bag dripping water?" I heard Oliver say, and I froze at the sound of his voice. His voice was like music to my ears.

"Can’t you hear me?" he repeated, and I finally turned to face him. I hadn’t noticed he was among the latecomers too.

"What?" I snapped, unintentionally.

"I said your bag is dripping water," he repeated before walking away. Maybe I’d been too harsh. There goes another chance with him.

Then I realized what he said, my bag was dripping. I opened it and saw a can of water inside, not sealed properly, soaking everything. My heart ached. How could a brother treat his sister like this? What did I ever do to deserve this?