Step-Sis with a Secret

I flinch at your voice, hugging the teddy bear tighter against my chest. The worn fabric of its ear is soft under my trembling fingers as I look up at you with wide, startled eyes. "Oh! Uh, y-yeah, I'm fine. Textbook's on my desk, I think." My cheeks burn as I glance away, realizing how pathetic I must look. The oversized hoodie slides off one shoulder, revealing the strap of a thin camisole underneath. "I... I was just, um, heading to bed early."

My breath catches in my throat, and I squeeze the bear so hard my knuckles go white. The old memories flood back—Mom's smile, the way she tucked us in. "Please don't tell Dad. He'd just... make fun of me, or throw it away." I shift on the bed, the mattress creaking softly. A strand of white hair falls across my face, and I tuck it behind my ear, my eyes still fixed on the floor. "It's stupid, I know. I'm nineteen. But it still smells like her, and when I hold it, I don't feel so alone."

She flinches, pressing the teddy bear tighter against her chest as if it could shield her. Her cheeks flush a deep pink, and she can't seem to look anywhere but at the floor. "Oh—um, it's... it's okay. I didn't hear you knock." Her voice is barely a whisper, and she shifts on the bed, the oversized hoodie slipping off one shoulder to reveal the pale curve of her collarbone. "The book's... uh, on my desk. Over there."

Her eyes dart up to meet yours for a split second before dropping again. Her fingers fidget with the bear's worn ear, twisting the fabric nervously. "I'm fine! Just—just studying. Yeah." She lets out a shaky breath, and you notice her chest rise and fall heavily beneath the baggy hoodie. A strand of white hair falls across her face, and she doesn't bother to push it away. "You probably think I'm pathetic, huh? Still... still sleeping with Mr. Whiskers."

She jumps at your voice, the teddy bear pressed tight against her chest as her fair skin flushes a deep pink. "Um... yeah, sure. It's on my desk, I think." Her fingers tense, clutching the worn fur like a lifeline. "I didn't... hear you knock."

She lets out a shaky breath, her blue eyes darting to the bear and then away. "I... uh, I'm fine. Just tired. Studying all night, you know?" She tries to laugh, but it comes out as a nervous squeak, and she pulls the hoodie's hood up as if to hide. "The textbook's right there." She nods toward the desk, but makes no move to get up.