"The older brother's Allure"

Maxine and I were stranded at school due to heavy rain, we went to school for planning our research...even though it's weekend.., it's been 2 hours since it started raining yet it still won't stop! Maxine got her phone and call her dad to pick us up, Max: dad?, are you home? Dad: I'm not yet home sweetie! Is there a problem? Max: problem?? it's a disaster!!!!! were stranded!!!! Dad: HAHA don't overreact sweetie, I'll tell your brother to pick you up! Max: yeyyyy!! thank you dad! Max: great, my annoying brother is going to pick us up! Zayne: at least we can get out of here! ......................... a white car stopped in front of the school's gate and a tall man came out holding two umbrellas...., Max: finally after an eternity! "just get the umbrella and get inside!" her brother said coldly Maxine and I went inside the car, I can't help but stare at the mirror, not because I was checking my face, but because I was looking at a handsome figure in the driver's seat, It was so long since I last went to Maxine's house maybe when I was 7 where I was with my mom, my mom and Maxine's mom are best friends, but then we stopped visiting their house when mom went overseas for her job, we were still kids since I saw Maxine's brother, I can't believe it, we we're like brothers that time, but now, why am I feeling like I can't even touch or talk to him? Max: why don't you sleep to our house for the night? Zayne: your house?? Max: c'mon it's raining you can't get to the bus at this weather! Zayne: I guess your right, okay then, it's settled! Max: Mom will be very happy to have you around, she always asks me when is your next visit! Zayne: that's good to hear! I miss your place! we opened the umbrella as we arrived at Max's house the rain still won't stop pouring we went inside as her brother parked his car Max: let's cook ramen, but let's get changed first! Zayne: umm mm.... (door opens) Max: my brother can lend you his clothes! Vhinn: WHAT??! Max: please big bro!!! please please please!! Vhinn: fine! whatever! he said with the same stoic expression.., Max: follow him! Zayne: huh? o-kay?? I followed him as Maxine said, and we went inside his room, he looks so good, I mean really regardless of his stoic and cold demeanor, he opened the closet..., Vhinn: get whatever you want! Zayne: are you sure? these are all--- new he lied down his bed, and acted like I was'ng even there, so I did what he told me, choose what I like I got a pajama with a cute panda all over it and a white hoodie, Zayne: is this okay? he only looked at me and look back to his phone like nothing happened! I exit his room and back to the living room with Maxine, as I walked to the stairs the door opened, Maxine's Mom and Dad had arrived, I bowed and greeted them good evening! Max: oh no, I forgot the ramen!! Mom: Zayne, it's been a while since you last visited! Zayne: yeah, it's been a while, it's nice to see your orchids again! Mom: I'm glad Maxine did'nt went alone to school again! Zayne: it's not safe to go out alone, especially at times like this! Max: Zy, the ramen is ready!! Mom: ramen??, but dad and I brought dinner! Mom: where's your big brother? Vhinn! Vhinn!! Max: he's upstairs! Zayne: I'll go have a shower first! Max: okay! "Vhinn!!!" maxine's mom shouted Vhinn: what is it? Mom: get the food we bought from your dad's car! the dinner is ready as I went out the shower room, Max: let's eat! Mom: oh my! is that Vhinn's jacket? Zayne: yes it is! Mom: It looks good on you! Zayne: Thanks! I was talking to Maxine's mom, but my eyes were focused on Vhinn, hayyys what's this? "snap out of it Zayne! snap out out of it! I exclaimed in my thoughts but I can't help myself to admire his features, he looked gorgeous, with a messy black hair, gorgeous fingers, fine biceps.......what am I even thinking??! I snapped out of my thoughts as Maxine speaks.., Max: Zy, can you sleep on Vhinn's room? Zayne: ah- I'm fine at the sofa! Max: there's no way you're sleeping on the sofa! Dad: Vhinn, Zayne will be sleeping on your room! Vhinn: yes dad! I'm sleeping with my playmate when I was a kid, but it's not the same feeling anymore, we used to be very close before..., everyone went to bed after, I entered Vhinn's room.., Vhinn: you said your fine with the sofa right? he gave me a pillow and a blanket pointing me to the sofa by the window in his room I have no choice but to take it, I lie down the sofa, still I'm day dreaming about Maxine's brother..., 11: 34 I can't sleep! I stood up from the sofa and I saw Vhinn on the bed, my heart suddenly beats so quickly, I sit Down by the edge of his bed looking at his face, I thought he was asleep, but I was shocked as he speaks with his eyes closed..., Vhinn: you can sleep here in my bed if you're not comfy sleeping on the sofa! my face heats up, did he saw me staring at him? what if he saw me? what is he thinking right now? I grabbed the pillow and the blanket from the sofa and lie down beside Vhinn, I was so close I could smell his scent, I want to hug him! Zayneeeeeee!!!!!! what are you thinking go to sleep! go to sleep! I said in my thoughts while tapping my face! Vhinn: what are you doing? I froze as I heard Vhinn's deep husky voice, Zayne: ah..., nothing! ••••••••••••••••••• The next morning dawned bright and clear. Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the room in a warm, golden glow. Vhinn was already awake, sitting on the edge of the bed, He looked even more handsome in the morning light, his features softened by sleep. he saw me already awake, but I seemed to be ignored, he went downstairs for breakfast The scent of frying bacon and something sweet – pancakes, maybe? – drifted up the stairs, pulling me from the lingering warmth of Vhinn’s bed. My cheeks still burned from the memory of last night's awkwardness, the near-miss intimacy, the unspoken questions hanging heavy in the air. I sat up, the crisp cotton sheets cool against my skin. Vhinn was gone. I glanced at the empty space beside me, the faint imprint of his body still lingering on the mattress. A wave of disappointment washed over me, quickly followed by a surge of self-consciousness. Had he seen me staring at him? Had he known I was considering crawling into bed with him? The thought sent another blush creeping up my neck. Taking a deep breath, I got dressed, pulling on the oversized panda pajamas and white hoodie. They smelled faintly of Vhinn’s cologne – a subtle, masculine scent that was both comforting and unsettling. I smoothed down the hoodie, feeling a strange mix of excitement and apprehension. This was not how I’d envisioned my reunion with Maxine’s family. Downstairs, the aroma of breakfast was even stronger. The kitchen was bustling with activity. Maxine’s mom hummed a cheerful tune as she flipped pancakes, while her dad read the newspaper, his brow furrowed in concentration. Maxine, ever the observant one, greeted me with a knowing smile. “Morning, sleepyhead,” she teased, her eyes twinkling. “Sleep well?” I mumbled a noncommittal response, my gaze darting towards the empty chair at the table. Vhinn wasn’t there. “Vhinn’s already gone,” Maxine said, as if reading my mind. “He had an early meeting.” “Oh,” I replied, a little too quickly. The disappointment was a dull ache in my chest. I wanted to ask her about last night, about Vhinn’s reaction, but the words caught in my throat. It felt too personal, too intimate to share with even my best friend. Breakfast was a pleasant, if slightly awkward, affair. Maxine’s parents were warm and welcoming, their smiles suggesting they had noticed the unspoken connection between Vhinn and me. The conversation flowed easily, touching on everything from the weather to Maxine’s upcoming exams. I tried to participate, to be cheerful and engaging, but my mind kept wandering back to Vhinn, to the lingering scent of his cologne on his clothes, to the unspoken tension that had filled his room last night. After breakfast, Maxine and I helped clear the dishes. As we washed the last of the plates, Maxine leaned against the counter, a thoughtful expression on her face. Max: “So,” she began, her voice low, “about last night…” My heart skipped a beat. as I remembered the events from last night Zayne: I…I don’t know what to say, It was…weird. Maxine chuckled. Max: why? Zayne: well, you know he's been my best friend and playmate before you, but now I can't seem to find the old Vhinn I knew! We fell silent for a moment, the only sound the gentle clinking of dishes in the sink. Then, Maxine spoke again, her voice softer now. Max: Just give him time, He’s not used to…to this. Zayne: To what? I asked, my heart pounding. Max: to having you around again! The rest of the day was a blur of activity. Maxine and I spent the afternoon working on our research project, the initial awkwardness of the morning replaced by a comfortable familiarity. We laughed, we argued, we collaborated, and eventually we decided to finish it some other time, as I'm about to go home..., As evening approached, the rain returned, a gentle drizzle this time, a far cry from the torrential downpour of the previous day. I said goodbye to Maxine’s parents, promising to visit again soon. As I stepped out into the rain, I couldn’t help but smile. The unexpected storm had brought about an unexpected connection, a new feeling that was just beginning to unfold. And though the path ahead might be uncertain, one thing was clear: my feelings for Vhinn were only just beginning. The rain, the borrowed clothes, the awkwardness, the shared glances – it was all part of a story that was far from over. The following weeks were a blur of stolen glances, hesitant conversations, and encounters as I often my visit Maxine's house. Vhinn, despite his initial reticence, began to soften his cold expression, revealing a playful side whenever his sister is not around, that contrasted sharply with his usual stoicism.