𝗛𝗜𝗗𝗗𝗘𝗡 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 |𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗠 𝗙𝗙|

1 𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅

THYME POV

(T) What, Mother?
(M.A.) I said you have to take care of your sister for now!
(T) Mother, I can’t do that! I don’t have time!
(M.A.) You don’t have to spend time with her, Thyme. Just make sure she’s safe and studying. That’s all.
(T) Fine, Mother. I’ll do it.

I could already feel the pressure building. My life was already a mess, and now this?

(M.A.) One last thing—she just broke up with her boyfriend, so don’t talk to her much.
(T) Wait—she had a boyfriend?

My chest tightened. Kaning? Dating someone? Without telling me?

(M.A.) Yeah.
(T) How come I didn’t know?
(M.A.) You never ask about her, Thyme. You’re always busy.
(T) Fine… but why did they split up?
(M.A.) He cheated on her.

My heart stopped. Heat shot through my whole body.

(T) What the hell? How could he hurt my little sister like that?
(M.A.) Calm down, Thyme. She doesn’t want anyone to know about this. Just take care of her.
(T) Sure, Mother… I’ll take care of her.
(M.A.) Good. I love you.
(T) I love you too, Mother.

I ended the call, my mind still spiraling.
Just then, Kavin walked in.

(K) What’s up?
(T) I just talked to my mother.
(K) And?
(T) I found out my sister’s moving in with me. And that she broke up with her boyfriend. I didn’t even know she HAD a boyfriend.

I clenched my jaw, frustration boiling.
How did I not know something so important?

(K) Calm down, bro. Maybe that’s why they didn’t tell you. Why’d they break up?
(T) He cheated.
(K) Damn… that hurts.
(T) If I knew who he was, I would’ve beat the shit out of him.

I meant every word. The thought of Kaning crying over some guy made my blood run hot.

(K) Stop. You know she wouldn’t want that.
(T) Yeah… yeah. I’ll call her.

I dialed her number. She answered instantly.

(KK) Thyme?
(T) Kaning, how are you?
(KK) I’m okay… Why? What’s wrong?
(K) Don’t ask about the breakup, he whispered beside me.
(T) Nothing. Just checking on my little sister.

I tried to sound calm, but I could hear my own voice shaking.

(KK) Okay… I get it.
(T) Huh?
(KK) Mother told you about the breakup, didn’t she?
(T) Yeah… am I really that bad at lying?
(KK) Yes. Your face says everything.

Even now she could still joke. That made my chest tighten a little.

(T) Why didn’t you tell me you had a boyfriend?
(KK) Because you’re too protective. You wouldn’t let me date him.
(T) And you see why! What’s his name?

My voice cracked with anger I couldn’t hide.

(KK) Thyme, don’t do anything. We already broke up. There’s no reason to cause trouble.
(T) Fine… Mother said you’re moving in with me.
(KK) Only for a while.
(T) For a while?
(KK) Yeah. I’m planning to take an apartment with Gorya.
(T) And what about Mother?
(KK) She won’t know. And I’ll stay near you so you don’t worry.

Hearing that softened me. Even hurt, she still thought about me.

(T) Hmm… fine. I’ll allow it. How are your studies?
(KK) Going great.
(T) So your stupid brain finally works.
(KK) You’re the stupid one!

Her laughter warmed me. She sounded more like herself.

(T) You know… if you want, I can take revenge for you.
(KK) No. That’ll just cause trouble. Let it go, okay?
(T) Fine. It’s better if you live with me anyway. At least I can keep an eye on you.
(KK) Yeah, meaning I won’t get any boyfriend.
(T) Exactly.
(KK) Well, I don’t mind. Better without one. What about you, Thyme?
(T) What about me?
(KK) Don’t you have someone you’re dating?
(T) Uh… no.
(KK) I thought you and Gorya were together.
(T) Fine. We are. How did you know?
(KK) I talked to Gorya.
(T) What did you tell her?

My heart skipped a beat. Why was I suddenly nervous?

(KK) Just how my big brother changed. How he’s actually in love now. How he doesn’t play with girls’ feelings.
She giggled, clearly teasing.

(T) Are you teasing me?
(KK) A little. —giggles— I’m going to sleep now. Goodnight, Thyme.
(T) Goodnight.

I hung up.
My chest felt heavy — anger, worry, and love all mixed together.
I would do anything for her. Anything.

(K) Thyme. Don’t do something stupid.
(T) I know… but he hurt her.
(K) She’s strong. She’ll handle it.
(T) Yeah… I know.

He hesitated before speaking again.

(K) By the way, I met Gorya. She wants you to come to her apartment.
(T) Why? Did I do something wrong?
(K) No. She’s just been busy. She probably misses you.

My heart warmed a little.

(T) Alright. I’ll go. See you later.
(K) Bye.

KAVIN POV

I wonder what Kaning looks like now.
The last time I saw her, she was twelve — small, quiet, always hiding behind Thyme.

But now… she’s older.
Someone loved her.
And someone broke her heart.

I can’t help but wonder who the guy was.
Who was the idiot who made Thyme’s little sister cry?

And why do I feel this strange heaviness in my chest just thinking about it?