Honest about what? Meera stepped closer. Not close enough to touch, but close enough that my whole body noticed. “Do you want this?” she asked. “Whatever this is.” The air felt too thin. The bookstore sounds faded, like the world was waiting. “Yes,” I said. “I do.” Her eyes softened, and for a second she looked relieved, like she had been carrying that question alone.

Then the relief faded into reality. “But we can’t do it like this,” she said. “What do you mean?” I asked. She exhaled slowly. “Secrets make people cruel. Secrets make people lie. I don’t want to turn you into someone you’re not.” Quote, “I wanted to tell her I’d already been lying. Already been splitting myself into pieces every time Nate called.

 Every time I saw his name on my screen,” Mera continued, voice steady. “Nate comes back tonight. We act normal. We do not do anything stupid. We do not give him a reason to suspect anything. I nodded. Okay. And after that, she said, her voice dropping. We decide what we are doing. My heart thumped. Together. She held my gaze. Together.

 We went back to the counter like nothing happened. Meera helped me ring up customers. She laughed at a little kid asking where the dinosaur books were. She looked like the kind older sister Nate always described. calm, responsible, unbreakable. But every time she passed me a book, every time her fingers brushed mine, it felt like a question that still needed an answer. Around 5, Nate called me.

 I stared at the screen like it might bite. Mera saw my face and went still. I answered, “Hey, Eli,” Nate said loud and cheerful like always. “You still alive in there?” “Yeah,” I said. “Shop’s fine.” “Good,” he said. I’m about an hour out. Traffic’s not bad. I’m starving. Want me to grab pizza? I asked, trying to sound normal.

 Dude, yes, he said. Also, guess who I ran into at the airport? My pulse jumped. Who? Meera, he said, laughing. I didn’t even know she was going to Chicago. She said it was a last minute thing. We grabbed coffee and caught up. She seems better, like lighter. My throat went dry and my eyes snapped to mirror.

 She was watching me, face calm, but her hands were tied around a paperback like she might crush it. That’s good, I managed. Yeah, Nate said. Anyway, I’ll see you soon. Keep the lights on. I want to walk in like a hero. I forced a laugh. Sure, drive safe. When I hung up, I stood there for a second, frozen. Mera stepped closer.

He saw me. I nodded at the airport. Her face went pale for a moment, then she swallowed and steadied herself. “Okay, “That’s not all,” I said. He said, “You seemed lighter.” Meera let out a small breath that sounded like pain and relief at the same time. “He’s happy for me,” she whispered.

 “Or he thinks he is,” I said. Meera looked away, blinking fast. “We can do this,” she said like she was convincing herself. The bell jingled then, and Nate walked in. He was carrying a duffel bag and wearing that same grin he’d worn since we were 16. He dropped the bag and spread his arms wide. “My bookstore,” he announced, still standing.

 I stepped out from behind the counter and hugged him, and guilt punched me so hard I nearly lost my breath. “Mera stood a few feet away, hands folded, looking like the sister he knew. “Hey, big brother,” she said. Nate turned and hugged her, too. And for a second, I watched them, trying to remember what normal felt like.

 Nate pulled back and looked between us, still smiling. “You two look like you’ve been working hard,” he said. “I appreciate it.” Then his eyes landed on me and something in his expression shifted. “Not anger.” “Not suspicion exactly, more like curiosity.” He pointed at my hands. “Why are your fingers red?” I glanced down.

 My fingers were still a little raw from the cold. From wiping and organizing all morning. Cleaning, I said quickly. Dust gets everywhere. Nate nodded slowly. Right. Cleaning. He looked at Meera next. And you? What were you doing here so much? Quote. Meera’s smile stayed in place, but I saw the tension in her jaw.

 I was just checking on things, she said, making sure Eli wasn’t letting you turn this place into a disaster. Nate laughed, but his eyes stayed on her half a beat too long. “Yeah,” he said. “Good.” He picked up a book off the nearest shelf, flipped it open, and then looked at me again. “Hey,” he said, casual, like it meant nothing.

 “You want to grab a beer later? Just you and me.” My stomach tightened. “Sure,” I said, trying not to show it. “Yeah.” Nate smiled again, but it did not reach his eyes this time. “Cool,” he said. We’ll talk. And as he turned toward the back room, Meera’s gaze met mine over the counter. Her eyes said the same thing my chest already knew.

 Nate was not asking for a beer. Nate was asking for the truth. Nate didn’t wait long. He locked up the bookstore like it was any normal night, flipped the sign to closed, and told Meera he’d be back in an hour. She nodded like she believed him, like she didn’t hear the sharp edge under his calm.

 I followed him down the street to a small bar near the river, the kind with sticky tables and old Red Sox posters on the walls. The air smelled like fried food and spilled beer. Nate picked a booth in the back where the lights were dim and nobody paid attention. He didn’t order right away. He just stared at me like he was trying to solve a puzzle he didn’t want to solve. “You’ve been weird,” he said.

“I’ve been tired. I tried, Eli,” he said, and my name sounded heavier in his mouth than it ever had. “I know you. I know when you’re hiding something.” My throat went dry. I kept my hands under the table because I knew if he saw them shaking, it would be over. Nate leaned back.

 So, I’m going to ask you once, “Is this about Meera?” The room felt like it tilted. I could have lied. I could have played dumb. I could have tried to protect him and protect myself and protect whatever this was, but the truth was already sitting between us. It had been sitting there since the first time her hand brushed mine in the bookstore.

“Yes,” I said. Nate blinked like I’d slapped him. “Yes, what?” “Yes,” I repeated, voice quieter. “It’s about mirror.” He stared at me for a long time. Then he let out a short laugh, but it didn’t sound like humor. It sounded like shock. You’re my best friend, he said. And she’s my sister. I know, I whispered.

 How long? He asked, and his voice wasn’t loud, but it was sharp. It hasn’t been long, I said. And it wasn’t planned. Nate shook his head, jaw-tight. That does not answer the question. I swallowed. A few days. He pressed his tongue to the inside of his cheek like he was holding back words he didn’t want to say. “And what?” he asked.

 You think you’re going to date my sister behind my back like this is some stupid secret? That’s not what I wanted, I said fast. I didn’t want to hide it. I didn’t want to lie to you. It just happened and then you were gone and I didn’t know what to do. Nate’s eyes flashed. So, you did nothing. You just kept doing it.

 My chest hurt. I didn’t want to hurt you. You did, he said. You already did. The waitress came by and asked if we wanted drinks. Nate waved her off without even looking. When she left, the silence came back worse. I took a breath. Nate, listen. I’m not using her. I’m not messing around. She’s not some game.

 She’s She’s Meera. Nate’s face changed at that, like hearing her name and my voice made it real in a way he couldn’t ignore. He leaned forward. You know what she’s been through? Yes, I said. She told me what she wanted to tell me. Nate’s eyes narrowed. And you think you’re the guy who fixes that? No, I said, shaking my head. I’m not trying to fix her.

 I’m just I’m there. Nate stared at me again. And now his anger looked tired like it had roots. You were supposed to be safe, he said quietly. That hit me the hardest. Because it was true. I had always been the safe one. The guy who kept things steady. The guy who didn’t cross lines. I’m sorry, I said, and my voice cracked. I am.

 I didn’t mean for this to happen, but it did. Nate’s jaw worked. He looked away toward the window where the river lights blurred in the glass. You know what I’m thinking, he said. I’m thinking she’s lonely and you’re young and you’re close and she’s going to get hurt again. My heart slammed against my ribs. I won’t. Nate laughed again, bitter.

 You can’t promise that. I swallowed hard. I can promise I won’t do it on purpose. And I can promise I’ll be honest from here on out. Nate turned back to me, eyes hard. So what now? I took a breath that felt like it scraped my lungs. Now we tell her, “We’re not doing this in secret anymore. You deserve better than that. She deserves better than that, too.

” Nate stared at me like he didn’t expect me to say that. Then his phone buzzed. He glanced down. His face tightened. It’s her,” he said. My stomach dropped. “Mera.” He stood up like he couldn’t sit anymore. “Yeah, she wants to know where we are.” I stood too. Let’s go back. Quote. Nate looked at me for a second, then nodded once like he had no better option.

 We walked back fast, the cold air biting my cheeks. When we pushed open the bookstore door, the bell jingled like it always did, innocent and cheerful, like nothing was wrong. Mera was behind the counter, arms folded, eyes moving between us. She didn’t look scared. She looked ready. “You told him?” she said. “It wasn’t a question.” I nodded. “Yeah.” Nate stepped forward.

“Why?” he asked, and his voice cracked on the word. “Why him?” Meera flinched just a little. Then she took a breath. “Because he saw me,” she said. “Because he didn’t treat me like I was broken. because he didn’t ask for anything from me except honesty. Nate shook his head. He’s my friend. I know, she said softly.

That’s part of why I fought it, but I’m tired of living my life around what other people can handle. The way she said it made my throat tighten. It wasn’t just about Nate. It was about her ex, about being invisible, about being told what she should want. “Nate looked at me.” “Did you touch her?” he asked blunt and raw. Mera’s face went still.

 I swallowed. I gave her a massage. That’s how it started. Nate’s eyes widened like he hated the image. Jesus. Meera stepped out from behind the counter. Don’t do that, she said. Don’t make it dirty, I asked. He didn’t force anything. Nate dragged a hand down his face like he was trying to wake up from a bad dream.

 This is insane, he muttered. It’s not insane, Meera said. It’s just inconvenient for you. Nate snapped his head up. Inconvenient. That’s what you call it. Meera’s voice softened. Nate, I love you. You’re my brother. You’ve always tried to protect me, but I’m not 15. I’m not your responsibility. Nate’s shoulder sagged like the fight drained out of him all at once.

 He looked at me. Are you in love with her? He asked, my heart hammered. I wasn’t ready for that word. It felt too big, too final. But I couldn’t lie now. Not after everything. I don’t know if it’s love yet, I admitted. But I know I care about her a lot. And I know I don’t want to play with her life. Quote.

 Meera’s eyes softened at that. She stepped closer to me, close enough that I could feel the warmth coming off her. Nate watched it happen, and his face twisted like it hurt. “You two think this can just work?” he said. Meera shook her head. No, I think it will be hard. I think you’ll be angry. I think people will talk if they find out.

 I think we’ll mess up sometimes. She looked at me then, and it felt like she was asking me to stand with her in daylight, not just in quiet rooms. But I also think I deserve to feel something good, she said. The shop was silent except for the radiator and the soft creek of the building settling. Nate stared at the floor, breathing hard.

 Then he looked up, eyes wet in a way I had never seen. I don’t want to lose either of you, he said. Meera’s face softened. You won’t. Not if you don’t make me choose. Nate swallowed like he was forcing something down. Pride, maybe. Fear. He looked at me and his voice went cold again, but quieter. If you hurt her, I will never forgive you. I nodded fast.

 I understand. Quote. Nate stared at me another second, then shook his head. I’m going home, he said. He walked out, the bell jingling behind him, and the sound felt like a door closing on the version of tonight we wanted. Meera stood still for a moment, staring at the door like she wanted to run after him.

 “You okay?” I asked. She let out a shaky breath. “No, but I will be.” I stepped closer, careful, and I held my hand out like I was asking permission. She took it. Her fingers were warm, steady, and for a second, the whole world felt quiet. “I didn’t mean to blow up your life,” I said. She gave a small, sad smile. “It was already cracked.

 You just showed me where.” We locked up the bookstore together. Outside, the rain had stopped and the streets were shiny under the street lights. Mera led me toward the river like she needed air. We sat on a bench, the same kind we’d sat on before, the water moving slow and dark beside us. I hate that he’s hurting, she whispered. I hate it, too, I said.

 But I’d rather he hate me for the truth than love me while I lie to him. Quote. Meera looked at me and her eyes were tired but clear. My ex used to tell me I was too much, she said. Too emotional, too needy, too hard to please. My chest tightened. You’re not too much. She smiled faintly. You keep saying things like that. I mean it, I said.

 She leaned her head against my shoulder. And I held my breath because it felt like a fragile thing, like if I moved wrong, it would break. I said something to you during that massage, she murmured. I remembered like it was burned into me. You said I was better than your ex, I whispered. Mera nodded.

 I meant it and it scared me because I realized I was comparing you to a man who hurt me and I didn’t want to turn you into a test you didn’t ask for. I turned my head slightly. I’m not a test. Meera sat up and looked at me, eyes shining. Then what are you? She asked. My throat went tight. I’m Eli and I want a chance, a real one. In daylight, even if it’s messy.

 Meera’s breath caught. She studied my face like she was taking a picture in her mind. Then she nodded once slow. “Okay,” she said. “A chance.” I didn’t kiss her like some movie. I didn’t grab her like I was claiming her. I just leaned in and pressed my forehead to hers. And we breathed in the same space, quiet and honest. Behind us, the town kept moving.

Cars passed. Lights flickered. Somewhere in the dark, Nate was probably sitting with anger and betrayal twisting in his chest. But right there by the river, I felt something steady under all the fear. Meera’s hand squeezed mine.

 

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