It was a fine, beautiful morning—the kind where the sun beams down like it's personally offended if you don't appreciate it, and the birds chirp like they're auditioning for a reality show.
Meanwhile, I was outside in our compound, trying to have a peaceful life.
Keyword: trying.
I had my tea.
I had my book.
I had my dignity—
—until one very rude bird decided I was its morning target.
It swooped.
Again.
And again.
I paused mid-sip. "…Are you okay?"
The bird tilted its head like I was the problem.
I narrowed my eyes. "If you touch my tea, we're fighting."
It flapped closer.
"Oh, so you've chosen violence."
I adjusted my round brown glasses—they slid down immediately.
"Stay. On. My. Face," I muttered, pushing them back up.
They slid again.
I sighed dramatically. "Wow. Even my glasses don't support me."
My blonde hair, tied in two messy ponytails, kept falling into my face like it also wanted to join the chaos.
I tried reading again.
The bird swooped.
I snapped the book shut.
"Okay, Ninja Bird. What do you want? Money? Snacks? My soul??"
"AYANA!!"
I jumped.
My tea almost died.
My heart? Already gone.
"For a second, I thought I committed a crime," I muttered, getting up.
Inside, Mom—Mrs. May—was sitting on the couch, looking suspiciously calm.
Too calm.
That smile?
Dangerous.
"Yes, Mom," I said, dropping onto the couch. "You called me like the house was on fire."
She ignored my drama completely.
"I have good news."
I stared at her.
"I don't trust that sentence."
She smiled wider. "Your brother is transferring to your school."
Silence.
Then—
"WHAT?!"
She blinked. "Why are you shouting?"
"Because that is NOT good news," I said, sitting up straight. "Why??"
"His friends moved there," she said simply. "So he wants to go too."
I stared at her like she just said we were moving to Mars.
"Mom. That school is expensive."
"We'll manage."
"That's not the point!"
She tilted her head. "Then what is the point?"
I leaned forward, lowering my voice like this was a serious debate.
"He's going to embarrass me."
She blinked once.
"…How?"
I opened my mouth—
Closed it.
Opened it again.
"…He exists."
She laughed softly. "Ayana."
"I'm serious!" I insisted. "He's loud, he's annoying, and he's—him!"
"And he's your brother," she said calmly.
I groaned, falling back dramatically. "Exactly my problem."
She shook her head, still smiling. "You don't hate him."
I paused.
"…I don't."
"Then what?"
I sighed.
"I just don't want to be compared to him."
Her expression softened immediately.
"Oh."
That oh hit.
She leaned forward slightly. "No one is replacing you, Ayana."
I looked away.
"He's just… good at everything," I muttered. "People will notice him more."
She reached out and tapped my forehead lightly.
"And they'll notice you for you."
I huffed. "That sounds like something people say before the main character gets ignored."
She laughed. "You are dramatic."
"I am realistic."
She smiled warmly. "And you're still my daughter."
I rolled my eyes, but my chest felt lighter.
"…You still chose chaos," I muttered.
She grinned. "I chose family."
I groaned loudly and stood up.
"I'm going to my room before I say something disrespectful."
"You already did," she called after me.
I ignored her and stormed off.
I flopped onto my bed like my life had officially ended.
"Bloody brother," I groaned into my pillow.
I kicked my legs dramatically.
"This is it. My downfall. My villain origin story."
I sat up suddenly.
"Everyone will compare me to him. I'll be in his shadow."
Pause.
"…Shadow Queen."
I nodded slowly.
"That's actually a cool name."
Then—
THUD.
A loud crash echoed from outside.
Followed by—
"Ow—!"
I froze.
Then rolled my eyes.
"…And that is my protector."
I lay back down.
"I'll be safe… as long as gravity keeps humbling him."
A few minutes later, I grabbed my phone.
Nena.
My lifesaver.
My online best friend.
My emotional support human.
I typed:Hi, free to chat?
She replied instantly:Always.
Then—she called.
Of course she did.
"Nena," I started dramatically, "my life is over."
She laughed immediately. "What happened now??"
I told her everything.
The bird.
The betrayal.
The brother invasion.
She was laughing so hard I almost hung up.
"Girl," she said, catching her breath, "you're fighting birds and losing peace. Stand up!"
"I DID stand up," I protested. "It chased me!"
"Then chase it back!"
"With what?? My book??"
"Yes!"
I gasped. "Violence is not the answer."
"It is when the bird starts it," she replied.
I laughed.
"Maybe I should train it," I said. "Make it do my homework."
"Yes! Bird assistant!"
"Or snack delivery system."
"Exactly!"
I smiled, lying back on my bed.
"Thanks, Nena."
"Anytime," she said. "Remember—you're not your brother's shadow."
I stared at the ceiling.
"…I know."
"You're the main character."
I smiled softly.
"Yeah."
Then I added—
"But if that bird comes back, I'm resigning."
She burst out laughing again.
And just like that—
the morning didn't feel so bad anymore.