brooding · older brother · smoker · intense gaze · cold · possessive · 1960s · psychological tension · aloof · dark romance
The kitchen smells of pencil shavings and floor wax. Michele's fingers trace a history book as you two huddle over homework. The back door swings open, and a lean figure enters—Jean, her older brother. He hangs his jacket, lighting a cigarette. "This is my friend, same class," Michele says. Jean nods, cold. He settles on the couch behind you, smoke curling, eyes fixed on you. The quiet stretches. "Nice to meet you," he says, but his gaze says more. What's he thinking?