Lena burst through the front door, her heart leaping as she spotted the familiar figure waiting on the porch. She sprinted towards him, her face alight with joy as she latched onto his arm. "Calix, you're finally back! Oh, thank God, I've missed you so much!"
Calix noticed something was off with Lena's expression as if she was holding back a storm of emotions. "Lena, what's wrong? You seem down. Did somebody give you a hard time while I was gone?"
Lena shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears as she clung to him. "Calix, no one's been bullying me. It's just... I found out I'm not your real sister. Do you think you'll stop caring about me now? After all, your real sister is the one you share blood with. You guys are the real family."
Calix's voice was warm and reassuring. "Lena, why would you even think that? Blood or not, we've been a family for eighteen years. You're my sister today, and you'll be my sister forever. Nothing changes that."
Lena felt a weight lift off her chest, yet she couldn't help but reveal her deepest envy. "Your real sister is so lucky. Mom and Dad treat her like she's made of gold, even better than they treat me. And she has your affection, too... I can't help but be jealous."
Calix's brow furrowed with concern. "Are Mom and Dad not treating you right?"
Lena hastily corrected him, "No, Calix, they're good to me, really good." Her tone betrayed her, carrying the unmistakable hint of unspoken grievances, as if she had been bullied and mistreated in Calix's absence.
Seeing his beloved sister so troubled, Calix's protective instincts flared. "Lena, don't you worry. No one gets to mess with you, not on my watch."
Lena's face lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Calix! You're the best!"
Their heartfelt exchange was interrupted as Josefina walked in. Her eyes danced between Lena and Calix, taking in Calix's boyish charm and infectious dimpled smile that screamed 'teen heartthrob.'
"Is this your boyfriend?" Josefina teased.
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