"That one looks so good on you, Aria. Trust me." I say, holding our bags in one hand. She twirls like the princess and all I see is her sparkling eyes and pearly smile. I reciprocate her enthusiasm and abandon our bags, approaching her.

"I promise. I've never seen anyone as pretty as you!" I compliment my half step sister. Does that relationship even exist? Aria chuckles, her pink gummy smile shining at me. Her straight Asian stereotype black hair, porcelain white skin and doe eyes are a killer. Somewhere deep within me, I feel jealous of her features.

While her skin remains blemish-free, mine is riddled with freckles across the nose and cheeks. My raven hair, when exposed to the devilish sunlight, shines a tinge of red, which makes me kind of insecure. The only thing I'm proud of is my big blue eyes. They're not as sparkling as Dane's, which almost looks a menacing grey under the sunlight, but they're calm and deep like the ocean's mesmerizing hue.

Ah, I got distracted again. "Amy. Don't you think we should hang out more even after we don't get the same classes on campus? I mean, look at our dynamic already! We're like best buddies!"

Aria says with a wide smile. I couldn't help but nod my head. I truly value and cherish female friendships. As someone who's grown up with elder brothers - who are dotingly protective of me - I've lost the essence of feminity. With Aria, everything rejuvenates within me!

"I agree! Oh lord, you take away all my stress, Aria. You're the best." Saying, I lean to hug her out of the blue. I'm usually not the type to initiate physical contact, much less with strangers I've met just the day before. But there is something so informal and magnetic between us. I couldn't help but feel like Aria was my sister!

"That was so cute! We should take pictures and post them to your social media!" Aria jumps with excitement. However, my smile fades. I don't want people to notice that I'm hanging out with Aria Chen. My brothers would find out eventually, but I don't want them to find out so quickly through social media.

The reason is that they might get defensive. Our friendship is hanging by a thin thread, as I view it. We are nothing but strangers, whose parents had a past. Nothing more, nothing less and nothing else.

Dane and Nick, out of the three, might find her suspicious. They could blame her for trying to steal our inheritance by proving her worth to Grandpa and stealing a portion of our profits. I don't want such formalities to destroy my friendship with Aria.

Am I being too shrewd? I must be. That's because I'm starting to place our friendship at such a high stage that I'm willing to endure secrecy and dishonesty. How long will I be able to keep Aria from my adopted brothers finding out though? I...don't have an answer, honestly.

Back to the scenario, we purchase beautiful dresses and some informal clothes for Aria and decide to head back home.

"That must've been my first ever outing with a girl friend," Aria says, my eyes widen. Is she suggesting something...?

"Oh no! I mean, a friend who's a girl!" She corrects herself awkwardly.

"Don't worry, I was just messing with you!" I say to Aria. "Well, I guess we should part ways here. I'll meet you soon-" Suddenly, I hear the sound of someone clearing their throat obnoxiously.

I turn at the sound, my eyes widening.

"Didn't...expect you here, Amy. Who's that?" Crystal asks and all color in my face drains at once. I gulp harshly, looking at both of them.

"Um...Aria, this is Crystal. My best friend. And Crystal, this is Aria, my new friend." I introduce them to each other. Tell me why I feel the heartbreak in Crystal's eyes when she looks at me. It feels as though I've betrayed her.

"Oh. I see. Nice to meet you, Aria."

"Nice to meet you as well!" Aria isn't a fool. She puts a facade of being cordial but I know they're both competing with each other...to be my best pal.

"Well, I will go with Crystal, Aria. Get home safe and text me when you reach. Goodnight!" I say to the girl and turn around to face Crystal. Luckily, Crystal was out shopping once again and bumped into me at the parking. We get to her car - she came out by herself - and I immediately feel the need to explain myself.

"Your mood was off." I begin, trying to sound concerned.

"Kinda. Who's that girl?" She asks instantly,

"She's just a friend-"

"Then why did it seem like you've known her for a decade? Are you hiding things from me now?" The depth of feelings in her voice suffocates me.

"Crystal, don't accuse me. I said we just met and became friends. She's not my best friend. And she's new to town too. She's going to join our campus from next Tuesday-" Crystal cuts me off the umpteenth time, and I'm starting to lose patience.

"It didn't look like it, Amy. But. Whatever. I was going to call you for a night over 'cause my parents are out-" And this time, I cut Crystal off as I say,

"I have a study schedule with Nick tonight." My eyes widen. Shit. That was the worst context to ever bring up my studies. I realize the damage I've done. There is no reciprocation for it.

We stare at the car's dashboard until the silence becomes too thick to acknowledge.

"I'll drop you at your home then," Crystal says in a neutral voice as I sigh. Way to go, Amy. Good job. I need to reconcile with her or things are going to go down fast.

As soon as I reach home, I luckily catch Alex cleaning his shoebox on the front porch. I rush towards him, bending and vow a deal,

"Alex. I'll give you two blowjobs back to back if you spend the night with Crystal. Her parents aren't home either. Go, quickly!" I hiss at Alex. The poor man is confused yet obeys. Without further hesitation, he rushes to the pulling-back car as Crystal sees him. I watch Alex enter the car, and they share a long kiss. It breaks my heart because I'm sharing my unofficial boyfriend with my best friend.

But...isn't that a harem of his own?

Does he have priorities between me and Crystal? Ugh.