FORBIDDEN TIES {My brother's best friend}

Chapter 1

                    ~~SELENA~~

As I watched Cyrus from across the room, my heart fluttered with every smile he sent my way. Each grin felt like a private invitation, drawing me into his orbit with irresistible charm.

The way his eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled, the way his laughter resonated in the air-it was like a symphony playing just for me.

But my reverie was shattered when my brother, oblivious to my silent admiration, stepped in front of me, blocking my view of Cyrus. Irritation prickled at my nerves as I tried to subtly peer around him, wishing I could approach Cyrus without my brother's interference.

Yet, I knew better than to risk my brother's wrath by making my feelings known. Our sibling bond, though not particularly precious, couldn't be jeopardized over a crush. Besides, their friendship meant too much.

Stepping away from the commotion, I found myself outside my brother's room, stealing glances through the slightly ajar door at Cyrus. He stood tall and confident, a ray of sunshine in my otherwise mundane world. With each movement, he exuded a magnetic energy that drew me in, filling me with warmth and happiness.

Suddenly, I was jolted out of my trance by the sound of my name being called. Startled, I stumbled and cursed quietly under my breath, hoping Cyrus hadn't noticed my clumsy mishap. The last thing I wanted was for him to see me in such a state of disarray.

"Shit," I whispered, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment as I quickly regained my composure.

"Lena," my mother's voice interrupted, and I turned to see her smiling down at me, her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"Mother," I replied, trying to feign nonchalance as I dusted myself off.

"Daughter," my mother chuckled, extending a hand to help me up from the floor. Her touch was comforting, grounding me in the moment and easing my embarrassment.

We shared a close bond, and I had confided in her about my crush on Cyrus. She always knew how to lift my spirits and offer sage advice, even if it was just in the form of a playful tease.

"This is called stalking," my mother teased gently as she helped me up, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Then tell him to stop being so handsome and dreamy," I retorted playfully, earning a laugh from her. Moments like these made me grateful for her unwavering support and understanding.

"Let's go prepare for dinner," my mother suggested, and I nodded, stealing one last glance at Cyrus before following her out of the room. Even as we made our way to the kitchen, I couldn't shake the image of Cyrus from my mind, his smile etched into my memory like a beautiful melody, a constant reminder of the feelings he stirred within me.

I helped my mom set the table, carefully arranging each plate with precision. It was my favorite part of the day because it meant Cyrus would be joining us for dinner.

"I'll go get Anya for dinner. Go call your brothers," Mom said, and I nodded eagerly, ready to fulfill my task. As I walked back upstairs, I couldn't help but smile at the thought of having everyone together for a meal.

Anya, my little sister, could be a handful at times, but I was grateful not to be the only girl anymore. Being the only girl for ten years had its challenges, but having Anya around added a new dynamic to our family. She was eight now, and I was eighteen, and despite the occasional annoyance, I cherished our sibling bond.

Knocking on the door, I was met with Reggie's face, which startled me.

"What the hell," I exclaimed, taken aback by his sudden appearance.