PHOEBEIt felt like my heart dropped to the floor the minute I stepped inside the house. The warm, fluttery feelings that had been buzzing through me all afternoon after hanging out with Ramon disappeared in an instant. One look at my mom’s face and I knew something was wrong.“Phoebe,” Grandma said gently from the living room, her voice tight. She gave me a small nod, her expression serious. I barely had time to say hi before the tension hit me like a wave.“What happened?” I asked, dropping my bag by the door.Mom didn’t even look at me. She was sitting on the couch, staring at nothing, like she’d checked out of reality. Her eyes were red like she’d been crying for hours.“Phoebe…” Grandma walked over slowly, her steps heavy, and put her hand on my arm. The look on her face made my stomach twist into knots. There was something in her eyes, something serious, something that made me feel like I needed to sit down even though I was still standing.“It’s your great-grandfather… and your
PHOEBEI kept staring at mom, waiting for more, waiting for her to say something that would make all of this make sense. But she didn’t. She just sat there with that forced smile on her face, like that was supposed to be enough.“It’s not just the stress, is it?” I asked quietly.“Phoebe, don’t…” she started, but I cut her off.“No, Mom. Don’t brush me off. You look like you haven’t slept in days. You’ve barely eaten, and you’re acting like… like you’re carrying the whole world on your shoulders. And now, with Grandpa getting worse, you’re falling apart, and I don’t know how to help you because you won’t let me in!” My voice cracked at the end, and I blinked back tears, frustrated that I couldn’t keep it together.Mom’s face softened, and for a second, I thought she might finally open up. But instead, she just sighed and reached out to take my hand.“I’m okay, Phoebe. Really. I just… I need some time to figure things out. And I need you to focus on yourself, okay? You’ve got so much a
SHAWNAI was sitting on the edge of the bed after the kids had left, staring at my hands like they held all the answers. Spoiler alert: they didn’t. My mind was a mess, full of doubts and exhaustion. Then Damien walked in, shutting the door softly behind him. For a moment, he just stood there, watching me, as if he wasn’t sure whether to say something or let me be alone with my thoughts.“You okay?” he asked gently, his voice cutting through my haze.I let out a shaky breath. “Not really,” I admitted.Damien came over and sat next to me. His hand brushed mine as he settled in beside me, and for a moment, I felt a small spark of comfort. “What’s on your mind?” he pressed.I laughed bitterly, the sound harsh even to my ears. “What isn’t on my mind?” I said. “I feel like I’m losing myself, Damien. Every time we win one battle, another one shows up. It’s like I’m stuck in a never-ending war. I’m exhausted, and I don’t even know how to stop fighting anymore.”He leaned back and rested his
PHOEBEI sat in the living room, feeling the weight of the day pressing down on me. After I left Mom, I met up with my brothers in the hallway. Their faces were tight with worry and frustration.“Phoebe, what’s going on?” Jasper asked, folding his arms.I shook my head. “Everything’s falling apart again. Every time we finally get happy, something bad happens.”Billy frowned, his face tight. “It’s like we’re cursed. Nothing goes right when things are good.”Jasper snorted. “Yeah, every time you smile, disaster follows.”I looked down, my voice trembling a little. “I don’t know why, but I think Ramon might be able to help. He’s different from those others.”Billy’s eyes shot open, anger flashing. “Ramon? You’re not supposed to be seen with him, Phoebe. He’s not welcome in our business.”Jasper’s tone turned cold. “We don’t want him involved. You should stay away from him.”I frowned. “Why can’t you see that he might actually be useful? He listens. He cares.”Billy shook his head sharply
PHOEBEIt happened so fast.One second, I was stepping into the garden, trying to calm down after that fight with my brothers, and the next, I was screaming because there was someone standing in the shadows. My heart jumped into my throat, and I stumbled back.The figure turned toward me, and my scream cut off when I saw his face.“Ramon?” I whispered, my voice shaky from the scare.“Hey,” he said, pulling back the hood of his cloak and giving me that lopsided smile that always made my stomach flip.“What are you doing here?” I asked, still trying to catch my breath. “And why are you sneaking around in my garden like some kind of… vampire hiding from the light?”Ramon chuckled softly, and without a word, he reached into his cloak and pulled out a small bouquet of flowers. The petals were soft-looking and a deep shade of purple, and they smelled like wild berries and fresh rain.“I missed you,” he said, his voice gentle. “And I had a feeling you were having a bad day.”My heart squeeze
PHOEBERamon stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. “Yeah. I’ve been thinking about us… about this.” He paused, rubbing the back of his neck like he wasn’t sure what to say. “I didn’t want to rush it, but I couldn’t wait anymore. You’re important to me, Phoebe. I wanted to do this right.”“The right way?” I whispered, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.Ramon nodded and reached for my hands. His touch was gentle, and his thumb brushed across my knuckles in a way that sent shivers up my spine. “Yeah, the right way,” he said softly. “So… Phoebe, will you be my girlfriend?”For a second, I could only stare at him, my brain struggling to process what he’d just said. Did he really ask me that? Was this actually happening?“Yes!” I blurted out, a huge smile spreading across my face. “Yes, Ramon, I’ll be your girlfriend!”His face lit up, and before I knew it, he had pulled me into his arms. He hugged me so tightly, that I could barely breathe, and I didn’t care. I
RAMONIt was a quiet night as I walked down Phoebe’s street. I adjusted my jacket and smiled to myself. She’d said yes. She was mine now, and that kiss, damn, that kiss was still burning on my lips.For a moment, everything felt… simple. Easy. But I knew better.My phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at the screen. A number. No name. But I didn’t need a name. I knew who it was. I answered.Silence.I waited for a second. No one spoke on the other end, but they didn’t have to. I already knew what they wanted.I hung up without saying a word. I wasn’t the type to waste time on pleasantries.As I reached the corner, I slipped into my car, a sleek, black luxury sedan that purred to life the moment I turned the key. I drove through the empty streets, heading downtown.I wasn’t in a rush. Let them wait. That’s what people like them needed to understand. I was the one in charge. Not them.The warehouse looked abandoned from the outside, with rusted metal walls, broken windows, and weeds gro
JASPER“Man, this guy’s up to something,” I muttered, peeking through the window. My eyes stayed glued to Ramon, who stood there with Phoebe, doing that whole lovey-dovey thing that made me want to gag. She was all smiles, and he… well, something about him just didn’t sit right.I watched as Phoebe giggled, then hugged him like he was the greatest thing since Wi-Fi. When she finally ran inside, I shook my head and let out a breath. I didn’t trust him. Not one bit.The second Phoebe disappeared through the door, I stepped out of the house, keeping my eyes locked on Ramon. Dude didn’t even flinch. He just stood there for a second, looking smug, like he knew something nobody else did.I clenched my fists, ready to march right up to him and demand he explain what his deal was. What was he doing hanging around here like he owned the place? Why was Phoebe acting like he was some kind of knight in shining armor? But then, he did something I didn’t expect. He didn’t linger, didn’t give me a s
RAMONThe air outside felt cooler than I expected. Maybe it was the heat I’d been holding in through the entire dinner finally releasing, or maybe it was just the way the tension in that house had clung to my skin like a second layer.I didn’t look back as I stepped off their porch. I couldn’t. My pride wouldn’t let me. I heard the door close behind me, and then silence. I shoved my hands in my pockets and started walking. I had no idea where I was going, just that I needed to be anywhere else.“Ramon!”Her voice.I paused, closing my eyes for a second before turning around. Phoebe was hurrying after me, her heels clicking loudly on the pavement. Her eyes were wide, her expression tight with anger and worry.“Ramon, wait! Please,” she said, catching up to me.“It’s fine,” I said quickly, giving her a small smile. “You don’t have to chase after me.”“I do,” she snapped. “You just got up and left in the middle of dinner. What do you expect me to do? Sit there and pretend like that didn’
RAMONI took a small sip of water, trying not to fidget too much. The food on my plate was delicious but my nerves were still high. I was trying hard to stay calm, to not show how much every little glance or question from her brothers made my stomach twist.I hadn’t expected them to be this intense. Every word they said felt like it came with a double meaning. Every joke had a sharp edge. And every look in my direction was like I was some kind of puzzle they didn’t trust but were determined to figure out.Still, I didn’t want to mess this up. I didn’t want Phoebe to regret bringing me here.“Thank you, Grandma,” I said quietly, giving her a small smile. “For standing up for me… and for the food. Everything tastes amazing.”Her face lit up instantly, her whole expression softening. “Oh, don’t mention it,” she said with a little chuckle, waving me off. “You’ve got manners, which is more than I can say for some people at this table.”Her tone was playful, but her eyes were sharp as she s
PHOEBEAs soon as Mom told Billy and Jasper that Ramon was the special guest for dinner and they should be nice, I could’ve hugged her right there and then. My heart was pounding in my chest, but she gave me this calm, reassuring smile like everything would be okay.“Thanks, Mom,” I said, my voice a bit shaky as I held Ramon’s hand tighter and walked past Billy into the house.She smiled at me, then looked over at Ramon. “You better come in before these boys start a war at the front door,” she said playfully.Ramon nodded politely. “Thank you, ma’am.”“Oh, none of that ma’am stuff,” Mom said with a warm laugh. “ Relax, dear. You’re not being marched into battle.”He smiled faintly, though I could feel how tense he still was.“Come on, dinner’s almost ready,” Mom said as she started walking toward the dining room. “And I’ve been dying to talk to you.”Ramon glanced at me, eyes wide. I mouthed it’s okay and gave his arm a small squeeze.“You remember that day Phoebe was robbed, right?”
PHOEBEAs soon as we got to the house, my heart started racing a little. I glanced at Ramon beside me, who looked like he was walking into a haunted mansion instead of my childhood home. His hand was a little clammy in mine, and I gave it a small squeeze to remind him I was right there.“It’ll be fine,” I whispered, though I wasn’t sure I fully believed it myself.He gave a tight nod. “I’m trusting you.”I nodded back, smiled to reassure him, and stepped up to the door. My stomach twisted as I rang the bell. Every second that passed felt like it stretched on forever. Ramon shifted beside me, pulling at his sleeve, clearly nervous. I could practically feel his thoughts buzzing just under his skin.Then, with a soft creak, the door opened.And there he was, Billy.He stood like a statue, tall and square-shouldered, with that usual unreadable look on his face. His eyes scanned me, softening just a little, and then he gave me that familiar, half-hearted smile.“Hey, Phoebs,” he said, voic
PHOEBERamon’s face was frozen like he’d seen a ghost.I couldn’t hold it in, I burst out laughing. “Oh my God, Ramon! You should see your face!”He blinked a few times, like he was trying to wake himself up from a dream. “Phoebe. This is not funny.”I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye, still giggling. “It is a little bit funny.”“No, it’s terrifying,” he said, wide-eyed. “Your parents hate me. Your siblings ignore me. I don’t even think your dog likes me.”I placed my hand gently on his arm. “Ramon, come on. It’s not that bad.”“It’s worse.” He looked serious now. “You’ve seen it. Your mom glares at me like I stole her favorite necklace. Your dad won’t even shake my hand properly. And your brothers, they act like I’m invisible.”“They’ve promised they’ll try,” I said softly, squeezing his arm. “They told me they’re going to make an effort. And I believe them.”He raised an eyebrow. “And we’re just supposed to walk in there like nothing’s happened?”“Yes,” I said, nodding. “We’r
SHAWNAI met up with Damien later that evening, just after the sun had started to dip below the trees. The sky was painted in soft oranges and purples, the kind of calming colors that made you want to slow down and breathe. The air was cooler now, the heat of the day finally giving way to a gentle breeze that brushed against my skin. I pulled my cardigan tighter around me as I walked toward the little park near our house. It wasn’t anything fancy, just a few benches, a narrow path, and a small patch of grass, but it was our place. Whenever things felt too loud or too heavy inside the house, this was where we came to talk.Damien was already there, sitting on one of the wooden benches under a tall oak tree. His head was bent over his phone, his fingers scrolling slowly. His expression was calm, focused, the soft glow of the screen lighting up his face.“Hey,” I called softly as I got closer.He looked up immediately, and when our eyes met, he smiled, that easy, warm smile that always m
SHAWNAI sat there in the kitchen, my fingers wrapped around the coffee mug, the warmth of it doing little to ease the cold feeling in my chest. I had been trying to push away the gnawing jealousy I felt, but it wasn’t easy. Phoebe had been so open with my mother, telling her everything, while I was left feeling on the outside. I couldn’t stop thinking about how she’d run to my mom whenever she had something on her mind. What about me? Why didn’t she come to me?I was frustrated, unsure of how to even approach the situation. Phoebe was my daughter, yet it felt like I was losing her bit by bit. I knew she was growing up, and I didn’t have any control over that. But it still stung.I stared out the window, the feeling of being left out creeping up on me again, until I heard the soft footsteps coming down the hall. I didn’t need to look up to know it was my mom. She’d always been able to sense when something was bothering me, even when I tried to hide it.“Shawna, you okay?” she asked, s
PHOEBEI couldn’t stop smiling.Mom actually said it. She said she’d give Ramon a chance. I didn’t even know what to say. I just hugged her, tighter than I ever had.“Thank you,” I whispered. “You have no idea what this means to me.”She smiled, but her eyes still looked cautious. “Don’t make me regret it, Phoebe.”“You won’t,” I promised, still holding onto her like I never wanted to let go.It felt like the air had shifted in our house lighter, warmer. All that tension between us, all the arguing and silence and stares, it felt like it cracked open into something soft again. Something hopeful.The first person I thought about next was Granny. I needed to tell her. She always understood me more than anyone. Not just listened, but understood, like she could feel what I felt without me even saying much. I had to tell her. I needed to see her face when she heard it.I grabbed my bag and headed straight to her place. As soon as I walked in, she was already at the door, like she knew.“Ba
SHAWNAI sighed and wrapped my hands around the warm mug, even though I wasn’t cold. "I know. I do. But this feels different, Damien. She's not picking up her phone. She's not even replying to texts. That’s not like her."Damien reached over and gently placed his hand over mine. "You have to breathe, Shawna. She's not a little girl anymore.""That's the problem," I said softly. "She’s growing up and pulling away, and I don’t know if I’m handling it right. What if we pushed too hard this time?"He leaned back in his chair, exhaling slowly. "Maybe we did. But maybe... that’s what she needed to figure things out.""I don’t want her figuring things out in the arms of that boy," I muttered, staring into my tea like it would give me answers."That boy has a name. Ramon," he said gently. "And I don’t know much about him yet, but Phoebe’s not stupid. She sees something in him."I pressed my lips together, shaking my head. "But does she see it clearly? Or is she just rebelling against us? Agai