Chapter 2: Shadows at the Table

He promised my sister he’d always take care of me, and I promised I’d always stay by his side.

Those feelings, those promises—they turned into an obsession, dragging me down into this pit of old memories and nostalgia. Left me in pieces.

Some nights I’d lie awake, replaying those promises, wondering how something so simple could end up so heavy. My chest would hurt, just thinking about everything I never said.

When Mariah and I finished eating and walked outside, we ran into Brandon.

Aubrey Mitchell was next to him. She spotted me and smiled, “Oh, Lila, you’re here too?” Then, after a beat, “Brandon said this place is great. Got any recs?”

Honestly, she looked more like his girlfriend than I ever did.

Mariah started to say something, but I squeezed her hand tight. Looking at Brandon’s face, I gave my best calm, polite smile. “Honestly, it’s all good.”

My heart pounded, but my voice stayed even. There was a kind of practiced grace in how I answered—a poise I’d learned the hard way. Mariah’s grip tightened, her nails digging into my palm.

Brandon didn’t say a word. He just stood there, off to the side, lips pressed together. I knew him well enough to know he wasn’t happy.

Maybe it was because I hadn’t replied to his message. Or maybe it was the polite small talk between me and Aubrey.

But maybe I was just overthinking.

I didn’t want to pick apart his feelings anymore.

I didn’t know where this exhaustion came from, but I just didn’t want to bend over backwards for him anymore.

Because he… never bent for me, did he?

That realization stung—but it was kind of a relief, too. I let the silence hang a second, then exhaled, like I was finally putting something heavy down.

In the end, I just said, “You two go ahead and eat. We won’t bother you.” Without looking at Brandon, I pulled Mariah away.

Brandon got home super late that night.

I was in the middle of hunting for thesis sources. When I heard the door, I didn’t even glance up. Just said, flat, “You’re back?”

He answered with a quiet “Yeah,” then headed to shower.

I heard the water running, his phone clattering against the sink. The apartment felt emptier than usual, like even the walls were tired.

After, he sat near me, openly gaming on his phone.

I glanced over—he was probably playing duos with Aubrey, talking on voice chat: “Need a weapon?”

Whatever she said, he answered, flirting, “Yeah, I’ll protect you.”

I didn’t say a thing. He never actually liked gaming—just did it to keep people company. We’d fought about him playing games with other girls before.

Back then, he looked at me, raised his brows, and asked, totally sincere, “It’s just a game. Why are you so upset?”

After that, I stopped caring about who he played with.

I just turned away and went to make myself some mac and cheese. Just something easy, something that felt normal.

The kitchen was quiet except for the bubbling water. I stirred the noodles, letting the cheesy smell fill the air, grounding myself in the small, warm routine.

When I came back after eating, he’d finished his game. He gave me a weird look. “You mad?”

He’s good-looking, rich, and kind of a jerk. Girls love that.

He might not even like Aubrey. He just likes that familiar vibe she gives off. Every girl he dates reminds me of someone.

Sometimes it’s her smile, sometimes the way she ducks her head, sometimes her eyes, sometimes a dimple—

It’s always a little bit of my sister.

Mariah once tried to talk me into leaving Brandon. Said he’d never learn to be loyal or really commit.

I just smiled, said nothing. It’s not that he can’t be loyal.

He’s just loyal—to a type. Everyone he picks is that type. Go figure.

Aubrey only showed up a month ago. For Brandon, that’s practically a record. She doesn’t look much like my sister, but she’s got that same quiet, gentle vibe.

I looked at him straight on, even managed a little smile. “No, it’s just an online game. Why would I be mad?”

My reaction was too chill. He didn’t say a word. After a beat, still holding his phone, he asked, “Wanna play? Together?”

A long time ago, we used to play together.

Back then, I didn’t know how to use weapons or read maps. I just followed him around, picking up ammo and scopes, getting yelled at by teammates, sometimes called an idiot.