Jenna shook her head. “No thanks, I’m up to my ears in essays to write.<b>” </b>
Bethany, sensing the brush–off, didn’t press further. She grabbed her phone, resting it on her knees, and slipped her earphones back in.
Jenna offered a wry smile, her gaze inadvertently catching a glimpse of Bethany’s screen. She took a couple of steps, ready to plop down beside her and dive into her own pile of work, when suddenly her steps faltered. Her eyes darted back to Bethany’s screen<b>. </b>
Noticing Jenna’s puzzled look, Bethany blurted out in surprise. “Jenna<b>?</b>”
Still baffled, Jenna stared at the phone, lost in thought. A minuteter<b>, </b>she fished out her phone. from her pocket and swiftly sent a message to Mirabe on Messenger. [Queen Mira<b>, </b>your brother… he’s a singer?]
Mirabe, who had just finished dinner and was about to head upstairs, paused when she received Jenna’s message. She replied, [Uh<b>, </b>sort of an amateur singer, I guess? Or a cover artist? I never really asked him in detail.]
Jenna’s lips twitched at the response before she, driven by a pressing curiosity, shamelessly typed, [Can I see a pic of your brother, pretty please?]
Mirabe stroked her chin, then nced towards Leo, lounging in the living room devouring a slice of strawberry cheesecake, and replied, [Let me ask if he’s cool with it.]
Jenna responded eagerly, [Yes, please!]
Mirabe turned back to the living room, “Hey Leo, can I snap a pic for you?”
Leo, who had just popped a strawberry in his mouth and smeared cream on his lips, was momentarily shocked by the request. Mumbling through his mouthful, he said, “Let me strike a pose first.” He wasn’t fond of photos, but for his sister, it somehow didn’t seem so bad.
“No need, got it already.” Mirabe said, snapping a quick photo while he was mid–sentence.
Leo, who hadn’t even decided on a pose, was left bewildered.
The photo showed Leo in his casual house clothes, sitting on the couch with an unguarded expression of surprise. A strawberry was trapped between his teeth, his eyes wide with shock. and his curly locks in a tousled state. He looked both dazed and adorable.
Mirabe thought the picture was perfect and hit send.
Regaining hisposure, Leo had <b>a </b>sinking feeling, “You didn’t…”
Mirabe met his gaze, “Yeah. Remember my ssmate you met <b>the </b>other day? She wanted your photo.”
Leo was at a loss. It wasn’t for his sister’s personal album?
More importantly… he nced down at his casual attire, eyed the strawberry cheesecake on the coffee table, wiped the cream from the corner of his mouth, and recalled his just–captured expression.
Suddenly, Leo felt his cool image crumble. Dropping his fork, he stood up without even bothering with his shoes. “Tell me you didn’t send it yet?”
Mirabe’s response was devoid of mercy, “Already did.”
Leo could see his carefully curated aloof persona fall to pieces.
Meanwhile, Jenna, upon receiving the photo, was utterly stunned. <b>It </b>took her a good while to collect herself before she sent a couple of messages back to Mirabe with a mix of emotions. Jenna: [Honey, do you have some kind of misconception about amateur singers<b>?</b><b>] </b>
Jenna: [Or some bias against cover artists?<b>] </b>
The Pill: [?]
Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart<b>, </b>Jenna continued to message. [Seriously, is that really your actual brother?]