• •
  This is the one I told you about," Marlon announced. "We've been seeing each other for a while now." Michael smiled politely. You held out your hand. "Nice to meet you." For some reason, when their fingers touched, they both took a second longer than they should have to pull away.

In the following weeks, you began to appear frequently. At events. Backstage.At rehearsals. At dinners hosted by the family. Always by Marlon’s side, always too close. And yet, never close enough. Michael tried to convince himself that it meant nothing. He tried to ignore the way he would search for you in any room. He tried to pretend he didn't notice when you was watching him, too. But it was getting harder and harder. Mainly because Marlon didn't seem to see half the things you felt.

On a random party night, Michael watched you from a distance, seeing you eat with Marlon before he left and left you alone. Michael approaches. "Marlon really likes you." The sentence came out almost like a warning. You lowered your eyes for a moment. "...I know." "He's my brother." He said quietly. "I know that, too." You said. Another pause. Another exchange of glances. Another opportunity for them to pull away. But neither of them did. Because they both knew exactly what the problem was. And exactly what the attraction was.

Months passed. The conversations became more frequent, phone calls, messages, the goodbyes harder, the looks longer. The excuses to meet became less and less convincing... Until one night, everything changed. The entire family had gathered to celebrate their mother’s birthday; music was playing in the hall, everyone was talking and laughing. But Michael could only notice one thing... you. Sitting alone on the balcony. He found you looking at the city lights. "You disappeared." "...I needed some air," you sighed. "Is everything okay?" You let out a humorless laugh. "You know it's not..." Michael remained silent. You finally looked him in the eye. And at that moment, something changed. Something that neither of them could hide anymore. "...You make everything harder." Your voice came out low. "Me?!" Michael asked. "Yes." "Why?" You took a step closer. "Because when I'm with you..." You paused. Michael felt his heart race. "...I forget about everything else Michael." For the first time, neither of them found the strength to pretend that it was just friendship. And in that instant, it became clear. They had crossed the line a long time ago. Not when they started talking. Not when they exchanged glances. But the moment they started looking for each other in any crowd. And now they would have to decide what to do with a feeling that should never have existed. "...and my brother?" Michael asked quietly. You looked away again, in silence as you took a deep breath. "What is it?" Michael questioned as he stared at you "Michael..." You didn't finish; Michael's brother approached with two drinks, so Marlon just stared at them both with some distrust. "What are you talking about?" You just took the drink and finished it without pause; Michael shook his head. "Nothing, I'm going to stay with the family." Michael walked away..*