Except for our initial interaction and the embarrassing encounter where I cried into his chest, I had kept my distance. It wasn’t fair that I leant on him to the point of us falling into old habits—he even called me “baby”.

Shame rose when I recalled that moment, purely for the fact that I had liked it.

Being in his arms, smelling his cologne and being called that same endearment as he had so many times before… Warmth had glowed from within me—a blaring reminder of what I had been missing all those lonely years without him.

I was conflicted, bitterness and wanting storming together, driving my emotions and mind absolutely crazy.

A quiet noise broke the silence. And as my ears perked, I listened harder. What was that?

Then, I heard it again, something like a distant sniffle. Shuffling out of bed, I went to investigate. Alicia’s bedroom door was ajar, and when I halted outside, my breath caught in my throat.

I could hear muffled sobs—body-shaking, soul-breaking sobs. Without hesitation, I entered the dark room and slipped beneath the blanket. Alicia initially stilled as I reached for her, but as I pulled my sister in for a tight hug, she nestled her face into my shoulder and let go.

And just like she had done for me, I cradled her head, stroked her hair and repeated, “I’m here.”

Alicia soon calmed as we settled into comfortable, quiet peace.

I knew she would have loved for me not to break that calm bubble, but I wasn’t going to let her sit in turmoil alone.

“Is it Dad, or is there something else going on?”

Instead of answering me, she grabbed her phone and brought up some video going viral online. I couldn’t really make sense of it, but from the angle and quality, I could tell it was recorded without the person’s knowledge.

It was of some famous football player, ragging on some girl who wanted their situationship to turn into a serious one. He was obviously playing it up for his “boys”, but the things he was saying were just disrespectful and downright disgusting. The internet was just as appalled, everyone rallying for the mystery woman and calling for that idiot to be cancelled.

After I finished the video, I scoffed, “Eww, what a creep. That poor girl.”

Alicia exhaled a long breath. “I’m that poor girl.”

“That motherfucker—”

After an impressive tirade of threats and curses from me, Alicia told me everything.

“Fuck, I’m a terrible sister,” I said. “You’ve been there for me every step of the way. You helped me through my divorce. You’re the best aunty to Austin. Gosh, you’ve dropped everything to be with Mum and Dad.”

“So have you.”

“That’s not the same, Alicia. You are hurting, and I should have known. Should have been there for you.”