My brothers best friend

Prolegue: The Moment Before Everything Changed

Hope you like this story <3

(Edited)

PROLOGUE

Valerie's Point of view

The party my brother's throwing is so boring. Or maybe it's just boring for me. Everyone else is out there dancing, laughing, having a great time. I should be doing that, too. I'd love to let loose for one night, forget everything, and just have fun. I want to dance, to flirt with random guys, to hook up like i used to - like the old times. So why can't I just let go for once?

Oh right. Maybe it's because of what happened two months ago. When Aaron...

No, stop thinking about it, Valerie. You'll only make yourself feel sick.

Let's just say that night ruined me. it was the absolute worst night of my life. And now, here I am - sitting in a room full of people who love me and know me. But do they really know me? The only person who really does is Viktoria. She's my best friend. She knows everything. She knows what happened that night. My family? My other friends? They have no clue. Not even Mason, my older brother.

I don't know why I've kept it a secret. Maybe it's because, honestly, it's not like you just casually tell people you've been... hurt in a way that no one should ever have to experience. That word - I can't even say it. It feels like the moment I say it out loud, it'll become real.

"Hey, sis."

Masons voice breakes through my thoughts. He sits next to me, his brow furrowed with concern. "Are you okay? You're usually not this quiet, especially at a party."

I jump a little at the sound of his voice, then quickly look up at him. "Yeah, I'm fine," I say, forcing a smile. The last thing he said - about me being quiet - hits home. He's right, I'm usually not like this. But the only person who knows why is over there, practically making out with her boyfriend. (Though, to be honest, I don't think Connor is complaining).

Masons eyes narrow as he studies me. "You sure?"

I nod.

"Okay... I've been thinking about it," Mason says, his voice softer now. "It been a while since we hung out, you know, just as brother and sister. I miss you."

"I miss you too," I reply, and i really do. He's my brother, and even though he's a pain the most of the time - always acting like a jerk, laughing like a hyena - I know I can count on him. He's been there for me when nobody else could, making me laugh even when everything else felt heavy. In that way, out relationship is kind of... unique.

Before I can say anything else, someone yells from the crowd, cutting through the music: "Valerie Prescott? Can I take a picture with you?"

I glance around, trying to spot who called my name, and then - boom - I see her. She's grinning, waving, clearly exited.

She approaches, snaps the picture with me, and before she goes, she pulls me into a quick hug. I freeze for a moment, surprised, but i hug her back, smiling. It's odd, but kind of nice.

Mason watches the small scene with a frown, his eyes narrowing as he observes the hug. He doesn't look too happy about it. "I think you should take a break from 'that,'" he says, nodding toward my phone, which I'm still holding in my hand.

And if you're wondering what "that" stands for, it's social media.

I roll my eyes, already annoyed. Here we go again. "Good thing you don't have an opinion," I mutter, my tone flat.

But if I'm being honest, part of me agrees with him. Social media—Instagram, TikTok, all of it—has been eating up my free time lately. But there's no way in hell I'm going to admit that to Mason. Never. Ever. Because then he'd just be one of those smug 'I told you so' people. And I can't stand that.