As Zane stepped out of his room, he paused at the sight of his younger sister, Sophia. She sat cross-legged on the floor of the hallway, engrossed in a book, her black hair cascading around her shoulders and her striking blue eyes shining with curiosity.
He offered her a casual nod, the same way the original Zane always did. "Hey, Sophia," he said, his tone flat, and continued walking down the hallway.
But as he moved past her, a wave of guilt washed over him. The sight of her, so innocent and hopeful, stirred something deep within his chest. Memories flooded his mind—not his own, but those of the original Zane—the times he had pushed her away, the moments he had ignored her when she needed him most.
His heart ached as he felt the weight of those memories pressing down on him. Zane turned back to look at her, but the familiar mask of indifference slipped away, and he felt tears stinging his eyes. He quickly retreated to his room, shutting the door behind him.
Once inside, he sank to the floor, overwhelmed by the realization of how the original Zane had treated Sophia. The memories of harsh words and cold shoulders looped through his mind like a cruel echo.
"I won't do this to you," he vowed softly, choking on his emotions. "I promise I'll be better."
Taking a moment to regain his composure, Zane wiped his eyes and took a deep breath. He stood up, feeling a sense of determination. He would be the brother Sophia needed.
As he left his room again, he approached her with a newfound sense of purpose. "Hey, Sophia," he said, this time with a genuine smile. "You're looking especially radiant today."
Sophia looked up, startled but pleasantly surprised. "Zane? Is that really you?"
"Yeah, it's me," he replied, feeling lighter. "Want to read together?"
Her eyes lit up with delight. "I'd love that!"
As they settled on the floor together, Zane felt a warmth spreading through him. Maybe this new life would offer him a chance to heal, not just for himself but for Sophia too.
As they settled into their reading, Sophia glanced up at Zane, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "So, what happened to my cold, emo brother?" she asked in a playful tone, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Did you finally find a heart?"
Zane raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I guess I left it in the other room," he replied coldly, feigning indifference.
Sophia burst into laughter, the sound bright and infectious. "Well, I hope you can find it again because I like this version of you much better!"
Zane chuckled, the tension from earlier lifting as he enjoyed the light-hearted banter. "Yeah, well, maybe I'll just keep pretending to be nice," he joked, nudging her playfully with his elbow.
Their laughter faded into a comfortable silence, but then Sophia's expression turned serious. "By the way, you know you have to go to the academy tomorrow, right?"
Zane's eyes widened as the realization hit him. "Wait, what? I completely forgot about that!"
Sophia nodded, her expression a mix of amusement and concern. "You'll need to get your stuff ready. You don't want to be late on your first day!"
"Ugh, I really need to prepare," Zane said, rubbing the back of his neck. "What do I even need? I didn't think about it at all."
"You should have your uniform and school supplies," she replied, standing up and stretching. "I can help you look for everything if you want."
"Thanks, Sophia," Zane said, grateful for her support. "Let's get to it, then. I need all the help I can get."
As they stood up together, Zane felt a renewed sense of purpose. With Sophia by his side, he could tackle anything that came his way—even the daunting unknown of the academy.
Zane made his way back to his room, taking a moment to absorb the surroundings of their modest home. The house was a single story, simple yet comfortable, embodying a sense of warmth that always welcomed him. The exterior was unassuming, with beige siding and a small porch that overlooked a patch of grass that Sophia often tended to.
As he walked down the narrow hallway, he passed the kitchen, where the smell of their mother's old recipes still lingered in the air, a bittersweet reminder of happier times. It was a cozy space, with wooden cabinets and a small dining table that had seen countless family meals. The living room, just beyond the kitchen, held a well-worn couch and a television that was always flickering with light, a space where they would gather to watch movies and play games.
Zane reached his bedroom door, remembering that there were two bedrooms in total—his and Sophia's. Both were simple but reflected their personalities. His room was filled with books and scattered papers, remnants of his love for stories, while Sophia's was adorned with posters of her favorite fantasy characters and a collection of stuffed animals.
He paused outside his room for a moment, taking in the small details: the chipped paint on the doorframe, the faint sound of the clock ticking in the background. It was an ordinary home, but it held a lifetime of memories within its walls.
With a determined breath, he pushed open the door and stepped inside. He needed to get organized for the academy, and as he surveyed the room, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. This was his home now, and he was ready to embrace it.