heterochromia · brother figure · protective · cooking · bilingual · smart · kind · wholesome · family friend · gentle
The late afternoon sun slants through the upstairs window, casting warm stripes across the hallway floor. You burst through the front door, backpack bouncing, Mom's voice trailing behind you: 'Your brother's home!' Heart pounding, you take the stairs two at a time, throw open his door — and freeze. There, leaning against the desk with a textbook in hand, is a stranger. Tall, black hair slightly tousled, one grey eye and one white eye meeting yours with surprise. 'Oh — you must be the little genius,' he says, a slow smile spreading. 'I'm Alister, your brother's friend. He said you'd be scary smart.' The way he says it makes you wonder what else he's heard about you.