1

                           Cherry 

I was laying on the couch in the living room, pressing on my phone, when I heard my brother’s voice. He was making a call, but what drew my attention was when I heard that his best friend, Xavier, will be spending the summer vacation over at our place. That was enough to grip my attention. I watched as my brother walked up the stairs, still on call, but I could no longer focus on what I was doing anymore.

I could feel my adrenaline surging, my heart was beating so fast, but most of all, I was so damn worried. If he’s going to spend the whole of summer vacation at our mansion, does that not mean that my feelings might get bursted? What if he noticed that I’ve been secretly in love with him? No, no, this is not happening. I was filled with so much worry that I completely forgot about my phone and did not even know when my brother came downstairs and stood beside me.

“Xavier?” I heard my brother’s voice, and that brought me back to reality. My brother was standing before me with my phone in his hand.

“Zayn, why are you with my phone?” I panicked, balling my fist and hoping he’s not suspecting already.

“Here, why are you watching Xavier’s picture?”

I quickly tried to grab my phone from him, but my brother pulled back and hung his hand midair.

“You haven’t answered me yet, little sister. Why are you watching my best friend?”

“I, I…..” I stuttered to divert his attention, and as soon as I saw that he was already interested and focused on what I was about to say, I used that opportunity to snatch my phone away from him.

“You…..!” He pointed accusing fingers at me.

“Can you ask your best friend not to come? I’m going to feel uncomfortable with him around.”

“Uncomfortable?” He tilted his eyes, trying to get a reaction from me, but when I showed none, he sighed and fell on the couch I was sitting on earlier.

“Come on, Cherry. You know how Xavier’s family is. His parents are not usually at home, always travelling around the world for business, and he’s always alone at home. I think it’s cool if he spends this vacation with us, but I just have to warn you to stay away from him.”

“Stay away? Does he bite?”

“Bite? Of course not. I just don’t want you to fall for his charms, but don’t worry, I know my little sister can never fall for someone like him.”

He stood up and wrapped his arms around my shoulder.

“I have one more thing to tell you as well.”

“What’s that?” I stared at him.

“Our cousin Gueneve, A.K.A your arch enemy, will be coming over as well.”

“What! Come on, Zayn, you know I never got along with her.”

“I know, sis, but come on, there’s nothing I can do. Dad and mum already agreed to this, but you don’t have to worry because I’ll always be here, and I promise I won’t allow her to give you a tough time, okay?”

“But……”

Before I could finish my sentence, his phone started ringing.

“My girlfriend is calling. I need to take this call. See you…” He kissed my cheeks and dashed out of the house. I sighed deeply and stared into space.

I thought I was finally going to have a nice vacation after spending a hectic year in my first year in the university, but it seems I was wrong, because right now, my most anticipated vacation is about to get crushed by two people. One of them is my brother’s best friend, who I’ve secretly been in love with ever since high school, and the other is my cousin, who’s everybody’s favorite and whom I never got along with.

Everybody says that Gueneve is as gentle as a dove, intelligent like no other, and beautiful like the morning sun. Everyone in the Brentwood family adores her, including my parents, but nobody sees what that adoration does to me. With Gueneve around, I feel neglected and unseen, because in my parents’ eyes, I’ve always been the short-tempered, arrogant, and stubborn daughter. That is what everybody sees me as. Although I’ve never really taken their words to heart, Gueneve has countless times reminded me that she’s the best to everyone.

Now she’s coming over, thinking I’m going to ignore her like I did in the past, but no, because this time around, I’m no longer the naive Cherry that does nothing to her because she’s my cousin. If she messes with me and tries to take whatever belongs to me, I’m going to show her that I’ve nothing more to lose because I’ve already lost so much and do not care about what anybody is going to say. Least they will call me arrogant and stubborn—those words are not new to me anymore.

A week later

I happily climbed down the stairs with my car key because I’m about to go to the mall and do some shopping for my book collection. I’ve been obsessed with books ever since I was a kid, and the last book I read was Choosing Between My Hot Stepbrother Or His Rival My Bestfriend. It was such a good book, which made me feel like I was reading about myself. The only difference between me and the female character is that I secretly have a crush on my brother’s best friend, while she has a crush on her stepbrother. They had no blood connection.

I made it to the living room, but as soon as I heard familiar laughter and voices, I froze on my step. Not only was Gueneve standing and hugging my brother, with my parents all surrounding her and checking on her, but also Xavier was standing beside my brother, and Gueneve could not take her eyes away from him.

“Cherry, come here. Come greet your cousin.” My mum waved at me, and that drew Xavier’s attention as he slowly turned and stared at me. Our eyes met, and it felt like time stopped. I knew it would be impossible for me to run away from those gray eyes.

“Hey, Xavier. I’ve heard a lot about you.” Gueneve suddenly moved towards Xavier, clinging her arms around him, with her gaze on me.

I balled my fist. I know her intention. I know what she’s trying to do.

“Hey, Cherry,” Xavier smiled.