My younger brother, Diep Nhan, has always been mischievous and easily misunderstood since he was little. When I heard that his friends were boys, I made him sign a promise to introduce me his best friend.
Unexpectedly, years later, my brother actually brought a group of friends home. The young guys, hair drenched in sweat, greeted me in unison, "Hello, sister!" before heading upstairs to play games.
I didn't know who to choose...
Diep Nhan said innocently, "Sis, the exam results are coming soon, we want to celebrate, can you treat us?"
I tried to suppress the urge to pinch his ear and gave a gentle smile, "It's so hot, just stay at home, I'll order food for you guys."
One by one, the guys left the house.
I was about to pinch Diep Nhan's ear when I noticed someone still in the hallway.
He wore a baseball cap, the brim shading his eyes, but the black T-shirt made his fair neck stand out, and a distinct mole on his collarbone caught my attention.
I froze for two seconds, suddenly that mole seemed familiar.
"Song Ky, what are you doing? Not going upstairs?" Diep Nhan called.
"Yeah," he replied, taking long strides back home.
Hearing that voice, memories suddenly flooded back. Neon lights shone through the window at night, my shadow on the wall curled up like a frightened animal, a fresh rose in a glass vase, water droplets sliding down the petals. In the misty haze, he whispered beside my ear, "Sis... bite me..."
Oh my, he's just an acquaintance, that mole was kissed just last month!!!
I grabbed Diep Nhan, trying to keep my voice steady, "Have all your friends finished their exams?"
This is unbelievable, if they were minors, it would be a serious offense!
Diep Nhan looked doubtful, "Song Ky is a year ahead of me."
"Oh..." I thought, he must be an adult then?
I glanced at Song Ky, he seemed to sense it, bowed his head slightly, a smirk on his lips, "I'm nineteen."
I was speechless, as if the sky had fallen, Diep Nhan and I went upstairs.
This is just a normal conversation between a brother's friend and his sister, right?
Definitely, back then I was a stylish lady with red lipstick, now I was just wearing a T-shirt, bare-faced, not even filling in my eyebrows.