**Chapter 3: Shifting Dynamics**

The days that followed were a blur of dinner conversations, laughter, and awkward silences. Ethan's dad, Mark, seemed to fit seamlessly into our lives, and my mom was beaming with happiness. But for me, the adjustment was harder. Ethan's presence was a constant reminder that my life was about to change in ways I couldn't control. One evening, as I was working on my homework at the kitchen table, Ethan walked in and plopped down beside me. "Hey, sis, need any help with that?" he asked, peering over my shoulder at my math worksheet. I hesitated for a moment before handing him the pencil. "Actually, I'm stuck on this one problem. Can you explain it to me?" Ethan's eyes scanned the page, and he launched into a clear, concise explanation of the concept. As he talked, I found myself getting lost in the sound of his voice, the way his words flowed smoothly into each other. It was almost... soothing. When he finished, I smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude toward him. "Thanks, Ethan. I get it now." He grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Anytime, sis. That's what big brothers are for." The term of endearment caught me off guard. I had never thought of Ethan as a brother before, and the idea felt strange, yet... appealing. I pushed the thought aside, telling myself I was just being silly. As we worked together, I started to notice the little things about Ethan that I had never seen before. The way he bit his lip when he was concentrating, the way his hair curled slightly at the nape of his neck. It was as if I was seeing him for the first time, and it made me feel... curious. My mom walked into the kitchen, a look of surprise on her face. "Wow, you two are actually getting along," she said, smiling. Ethan and I exchanged a look, both of us shrugging. "We're trying," Ethan said, his tone light. My mom chuckled. "Well, that's all I can ask for. How about I make some popcorn, and we watch a movie together?" The evening that followed was one of the most enjoyable I'd had in weeks. We laughed and joked, Ethan and I teasing each other good-naturedly. For a few hours, I forgot about the uncertainty that had been plaguing me. As the night drew to a close, Ethan walked me to my room, his footsteps quiet beside mine. "Hey, sis?" he said, as he reached my door. "Yeah?" "Thanks for tonight. I know things have been weird lately." I smiled, feeling a sense of understanding between us. "No problem, Ethan. I'm trying to adjust." He nodded, his eyes serious. "I know. Me too." With that, he turned and headed back to his room, leaving me to wonder if maybe, just maybe, this new chapter in our lives wouldn't be so bad after all.