The ctter of keyboards and low hum of machinery filled the robotics club room. Evan leaned back in his chair, wiping the back of his hand across his forehead. The glow of the monitor reflected in his sharp blue eyes as he gnced over at Finn, who was meticulously adjusting a wire on their test project.

  “Try running it now,” Finn said, his soft voice tinged with hopeful determination.

  Evan tapped a few keys, his lips twitching into a satisfied smile as the program finally executed without error. “You did it, Finn. No more mysterious crashes.”

  Finn’s cheeks flushed slightly, and he gave a shy ugh. “We did it. I couldn’t have fixed it without you catching that logic bug.”

  “You’re too modest,” Evan said with a grin. “You’re the brains behind this whole setup.”

  As they packed up their belongings, Evan’s phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out to see a text from Sienna: “I’m here. Parking lot. Don’t keep me waiting.”

  Evan felt a familiar mixture of anticipation and mild guilt. “I gotta go. Sienna’s waiting for me,” he said, hurriedly grabbing his bag. In his haste, he left his water bottle on the desk.

  “See you tomorrow!” Finn called after him, but Evan was already out the door.

  Finn noticed the forgotten bottle a moment ter and sighed. “Honestly, Evan,” he muttered, picking it up. He slung his bag over his shoulder and decided to catch up with his friend.

  ***

  The crisp evening air greeted Finn as he stepped out of the building, clutching Evan’s bottle in one hand. He spotted Evan just ahead, weaving through the parking lot. Finn quickened his pace, but before he could call out, Evan slid into the passenger seat of a sleek, bck car.

  Finn blinked. That must be Sienna’s car, he thought. Curious, he continued toward the car, intending to tap on the window and hand over the bottle.

  As he approached, Finn froze mid-step. Through the slightly tinted windows, he saw Evan lean in toward Sienna, pressing a soft kiss against her lips. For a brief moment, Finn convinced himself it was an innocent peck. A friendly gesture. Totally normal for siblings, right?

  But then Sienna’s lips curled into a sly smirk, and she murmured something to Evan. Whatever she said made him ugh softly, and before Finn could process it, Sienna tilted her head and pulled Evan into a deep, unhurried kiss.

  Finn’s eyes widened as he watched Evan’s hands slide to Sienna’s hips, while she ran her fingers through his hair. The intimate closeness, the lingering movements—it was undeniable. This was not a siblings thing. Not even close.

  “W-Wait… what?” Finn whispered to himself, his mind scrambling for an expnation. He knew they weren’t biologically reted, but this? Is this normal rich people behavior? Or am I just painfully naive?

  His grip tightened around the water bottle as he slowly backed away, his movements awkward and jerky, like a video game character avoiding an enemy encounter. He nearly tripped over the curb but managed to steady himself, heart pounding in his chest.

  “Don’t look back,” he muttered under his breath. “Don’t look back.”

  Finn didn’t stop retreating until the car was well out of sight. His heart pounded as he turned on his heel and quickly walked away from the parking lot, still clutching Evan’s water bottle like it was some kind of lifeline. His mind was spinning, completely fried from what he had just witnessed.

  His legs moved on autopilot, carrying him to the nearest bus stop. He barely registered the city lights flickering above, the distant hum of traffic, or the chatter of people waiting alongside him. All he could hear was the echo of his own thoughts.

  No music. No texting. Just pure, existential crisis mode.

  Finn boarded the bus in a daze, fumbling with his fare before sinking into a seat near the window. His reflection in the gss looked as bewildered as he felt. He exhaled sharply, rubbing his face as he tried to process everything.

  “Do I say something tomorrow? Do I pretend I didn’t see it? Am I supposed to be okay with this?” Finn’s thoughts ran wild, his face burning with secondhand embarrassment and bewilderment. I am NOT ready for this information.

  ***

  The next evening, Evan sat at his usual spot in the robotics club, scrolling through his phone while waiting for Finn. He barely had time to look up before a water bottle was smmed onto the desk in front of him.

  “Uh… thanks?” Evan said, raising an eyebrow.

  Finn crossed his arms, eyes narrowed. “Do you want to tell me something, Evan?”

  Evan frowned. “Like what?”

  Finn sighed. “Don’t py dumb. I saw you yesterday. In the parking lot. With Sienna.”

  Evan blinked, his mind catching up. “Oh.”

  “Yeah. Oh.” Finn gave him a pointed look, cheeks tinged pink. “Care to expin?”

  Evan sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Alright, you caught me. Look, it’s not what it seems—well, actually, it is what it seems, but not as weird as you’re thinking.”

  Finn raised an eyebrow. “Not as weird? You were making out with Sienna. Sienna! Your—uh—‘stepsister.’” He air-quoted dramatically.

  Evan chuckled nervously. “Technically, she’s my fiancée.”

  Finn’s jaw dropped. “What?! Since when?!”

  Evan expined their parents’ remarriage, the arranged engagement, and how he and Sienna had grown closer. Finn listened, his initial shock giving way to reluctant acceptance.

  “So… you just went along with it?” Finn asked, incredulous.

  “Pretty much,” Evan admitted with a shrug. “And, well… it’s not like I mind. Sienna’s amazing.”

  Finn stared at him for a long moment before bursting into ughter. “You’re unbelievable. Living under the same roof as your fiancée? Isn’t that, like, illegal somewhere?”

  Evan rolled his eyes. “It’s not illegal, Finn.”

  Finn grinned. “Still! You guys live together. Do you sneak into each other’s rooms at night?”

  Evan’s brain immediately betrayed him, fshing back to that night after their so-called study session.

  Heat rushed to his face. Crap.

  “Oh my gosh,” Finn gasped, leaning in. “Evan. You totally have.”

  “Wha—No! I mean—!” Evan stammered, but his averted gaze only fueled Finn’s excitement.

  “YOU HAVE, HAVEN’T YOU?!” Finn squealed, shaking his arm. “Was it romantic? Were there candles? Did she say, ‘You are mine, Evan~’?”

  Evan groaned, burying his face in his hands. “Finn, please.”

  Finn cpped his hands together. “You’re so cute when you’re flustered! No wonder Sienna keeps teasing you.”

  Evan shot him a gre, but the red on his face made it far less intimidating.

  Finn just grinned. “Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me. I’ll only sigh dramatically about it in public.”

  Evan groaned again. Why did I let him see me yesterday?

  Finn finally settled, pressing his hands together as if making a serious decration. “Alright, Evan. As your best friend, it’s my duty to support you through this new stage of your life.” He pced a solemn hand on Evan’s shoulder. “If you ever need any advice—romantic, emotional, or otherwise—just message me, okay?”

  Evan raised an eyebrow. “Uh, thanks? No offense, but… you’ve never been in a retionship before.”

  Finn giggled, pressing a hand to his chest. “Oh, sweetie, I may not have experience, but I’ve read plenty of books. Plenty.” His eyes gleamed. “I know what works.”

  Evan smirked. “So what, you’re giving me dating tips now?”

  Finn gasped. “Evan! This is serious! Do you even understand how many boys in this school are hopelessly, tragically in love with Sienna?”

  Evan blinked. “Uh…”

  Finn folded his arms. “I literally lost count. You think you have admirers? Buddy, you don’t even compare.” He sighed, shaking his head. “Every other day, some poor boy is sighing dramatically in the hallways, dreaming of the day she might gnce their way.” He pced a delicate hand over his heart. “I have witnessed the devastation when she turns them down.”

  Evan snorted. “I know she’s popur, but you’re making it sound like she’s a celebrity.”

  Finn leaned in, whispering, “She is.”

  Evan rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t help but feel a little amused. Finn talked like Evan was some heartthrob, but in reality, he barely saw himself as popur. Sure, he got attention—but that was just because of how this world worked, right? Still, he had to admit, it was kind of nice that Finn thought so.

  Evan chuckled. “Well, they can dream all they want. I know Sienna—she isn’t that type of person. If she’s with me, she’s with me.”

  Finn studied him for a moment, then nodded approvingly. “Good. Confidence is key.” Then, his pyful grin returned. “Buuut just in case, make sure she doesn’t think you’re too avaible.”

  Evan frowned. “What?”

  Finn’s eyes sparkled. “You have to py a little hard to get! A girl like Sienna—powerful, confident, in control—expects you to be easy and obedient. That’s what all these other guys do, right? They worship her, drool over her, hand over their hearts on a silver ptter.” He pced a hand on Evan’s chest. “You, my dear friend, need to stand out.”

  Evan’s smirk faltered as his mind—completely against his will—drifted back to that night.

  All it took was a single gnce when she stretched, her teasing smirk when she noticed the effect she had on him.

  He hadn’t even tried to resist. No chase, no pying hard to get—just full-on surrender.

  …Yeah. Too te for Finn’s advice.

  “Evan?”

  Finn’s voice snapped him back to reality.

  Evan cleared his throat, forcing a neutral expression. “Uh. Yeah?”

  Finn narrowed his eyes. Then, slowly, a knowing grin spread across his face. “Wait. Wait.” He cpped his hands. “Oh my god, you’ve already folded, haven’t you?”

  Evan sighed. “Finn—”

  “Oh no, no, no, don’t even try to deny it!” Finn giggled, bouncing in pce. “That was a reminiscing face.”

  Evan groaned, running a hand through his hair. “I hate you.”

  Finn gasped dramatically. “You had one job! And you just gave in? No resistance, no chase, just full-on take me, I’m yours mode?”

  Evan opened his mouth to protest—then hesitated. That is surprisingly accurate.

  He buried his face in his hands. “Why are you like this?”

  Finn sniffled, pretending to wipe away a tear. “I was too te! You were too easy!”

  Evan shot him a deadpan look. “Wow. Thanks.”

  Finn giggled. “Sooo, how was it?”

  Evan grabbed his water bottle and lightly bonked Finn on the forehead. “Not talking about this with you.”

  Finn clutched his head. “You monster!”

  Evan shook his head. “I should’ve left you in existential crisis mode.”

  Finn stuck out his tongue but quickly regained his composure. “Alright, alright, I’ll be serious.” He straightened, fixing Evan with a thoughtful look. “Just keep an eye on her, okay? Given how insanely popur she is, I’ve lost count of the guys crushing on her.”

  Evan leaned back, crossing his arms. “I’m not worried. I know Sienna—she’s not the type to mess around.”

  Finn studied him, then smiled. “Yeah… you’re probably right.” Then, his pyful grin returned. “But if you ever need help, you better text me! We can analyze her behavior, come up with strategies, even—”

  Evan groaned. “I am not pying mind games with my fiancée.”

  Finn sighed dramatically. “You’re no fun.”

  LunarEcho