𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄

𝐞𝐱-𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐲

██ 20% *___*

"Hey, need to talk?"

Sam turned around to see Quinn standing there with a sympathetic look on her face. God, this was so embarrassing. Not how you would like to impress someone. 

"I, uh..." she starts, her voice cracking slightly. "I'm so sorry you had to see all of that. It's just..." She trails off, shaking her head.

Quinn gives her a small, understanding smile. "It's okay, Sam. I know family can be complicated."

She moves a little closer, reaching out to give Sam's arm a gentle, reassuring squeeze.

"Do you want to talk about it? I'm here if you need someone to listen."

Sam hesitates for a moment, her eyes searching Quinn's face. Part of her wants to brush it off, to put on a brave face and act like everything is fine. But the raw emotion of the moment has left her feeling vulnerable and exposed.

With a heavy sigh, she nods, gesturing towards the patio chairs. "Yeah, I... I think I could use someone to talk to, if you don't mind."

Quinn gives her a warm smile. "Of course. I'm here for you, Sam."

"I just... I don't know what's wrong with me," she admits, her voice tinged with frustration. "Tara's my little sister, and I love her more than anything. But I can't seem to just be happy for her, you know?"

She shakes her head, a rueful laugh escaping her lips. "I always have to stick my nose where it doesn't belong, trying to 'protect' her or 'guide' her, even when she's perfectly capable of making her own decisions."

Sam pauses, running a hand through her hair. "And now look what's happened. I've ruined everything - Tara's engagement, her happiness. All because I couldn't just let her be."

Quinn listens patiently, her expression one of understanding. "It's clear you care about Tara a lot. That's not a bad thing. But it sounds like there might be some deeper issues at play here."

She reaches out, giving Sam's hand a gentle squeeze. "Do you want to talk about what's really going on? I'm here to listen, without judgment."

Sam nods, grateful for Quinn's compassion. "I think... I think I'm just scared, you know?" she admits, her voice barely above a whisper. "Tara's my whole world, and the thought of her moving on, of her not needing me anymore - it terrifies me."

She pauses, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know it's selfish, but I just... I don't want to lose her. And I guess I've been trying to hold on too tight, to keep her from growing up and living her own life."

Quinn nods slowly, her expression thoughtful. "That makes a lot of sense, Sam. It's natural to feel that way about your little sister. But you have to remember that her happiness is what's most important, even if it means letting go a little."

Sam nods, a few tears spilling down her cheeks. "I know, I know. I just... I don't know how to do that. I'm so used to being the big sister, the protector. It's hard for me to step back and let her make her own choices, even when I know they're the right ones."

Quinn offers her a sympathetic smile. "It's a process, Sam. But I have faith that you can figure it out. The love you have for Tara is so obvious, and I'm sure she knows that, even when you mess up. The important thing is that you're willing to work on it."