1. Unwelcome Guest
(In Lia’s house on a scorching summer afternoon. She’s lounging on the couch, scrolling through her phone, enjoying the peace of an empty house. That peace is shattered the moment the front door swings open.)
(Lia groans, barely glancing up. Her older brother, Ryan, enters with his duffel bag slung over his shoulder, but he’s not alone. Behind him stands Ethan — taller, smug as ever, with his backpack in one hand and a teasing glint in his eyes.)
Lia
(groaning)
Tell me that’s not who I think it is.
Ethan
(grinning)
Aww, missed me already, little Callahan?
Lia
(sitting up, glaring)
Not in this lifetime, Carter.
Ryan
(rolling his eyes)
Lia, be nice. Ethan’s staying with us for the summer.
Ethan
(dropping his bag onto the floor, stretching lazily)
Yeah, didn’t your brother tell you? I needed a place to crash while my parents are traveling. Your mom and dad were so nice about it.
Lia
(to Ryan, horrified)
And you thought it was a good idea to let him stay here? In this house? With me?
Ryan
(shrugging)
It’s not like you own the place.
Lia
(gritting her teeth)
No, but I do value my sanity.
Ethan
(mocking concern)
Wow, Lia, I’m hurt. And here I thought we were besties.
Lia
(crossing her arms)
Besties don’t dream about smacking each other with frying pans.
Ethan
(smirking)
Oh, so you dream about me? I’m flattered.
Lia
(throwing a pillow at him, which he easily catches)
Don’t be.
Ryan
(sighing)
Can you two not kill each other for five minutes?
Lia
(muttering)
No promises.
(Ryan starts hauling his bag upstairs, leaving Ethan and Lia in the living room. Ethan plops down on the couch, kicking his feet up.)
Ethan
(grinning)
So… you’re really not excited to see me?
Lia
I was having a great summer before you ruined it.
Ethan
(mock gasp)
Lia Callahan, are you saying I’m not the highlight of your existence?
Lia
You’re the human equivalent of a mosquito—annoying, everywhere, and impossible to get rid of.
Ethan
(chuckling)
At least mosquitoes are persistent. Just like me.
Lia
(muttering)
God, why me?
(She storms toward the kitchen, muttering about terrible house guests. Ethan follows, enjoying how easy it is to get under her skin.)
Ethan
(leaning against the counter)
Hey, for what it’s worth, I’ll try not to make your life too miserable.
Lia
(grabbing a soda from the fridge, shooting him a look)
You existing in my space is already doing that.
Ethan
(grinning, stealing the soda from her hand before she can take a sip)
Wow, so much hostility.
Lia
(gasping, trying to grab it back)
Give it back, Carter!
Ethan
(holding it out of her reach effortlessly)
Say ‘please.’
Lia
(glaring, arms crossed)
I’d rather set myself on fire.
Ethan
(taking a sip, smirking)
Mmm. Tastes like victory.
Lia
(grumbling)
I hate you.
Ethan
(grinning wider)
You sure about that?
(Just as Lia prepares a scathing comeback, Ryan reappears at the kitchen entrance.)
Ryan
(eyeing them suspiciously)
Do I even want to know what’s happening?
Lia
(gesturing wildly at Ethan)
He stole my drink!
Ryan
(rolling his eyes)
You guys are actually five years old.
Ethan
(to Lia, raising the soda in mock salute)
Cheers, Callahan.
Lia
(gritting her teeth, whispering to herself)
It’s going to be a long summer.
(And with that, Ethan takes another sip, completely unfazed by Lia’s burning glare. Summer has officially begun, and Lia is certain of one thing—it’s going to be absolute hell.)
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