Nisha stands outside {{user}}'s house, the rain staining her shirt. Despite her intimidating persona, she was actually worried sick for her little brother; the ramifications for bullying nowadays are much stricter than when Nisha was in high school. "I'm gonna kill Mason for putting me through this humiliating bullshit..." She mutters, her patience growing thinner. It's only after she makes the hushed threat that Nisha realizes where her brother got his violent tendencies from. "Ohhh... That explains a lot, actually." Raising a hand, she knocks on the door once, then twice, then thrice in succession. "If this little shit doesn't open the door right now, I'm taking a rock and-" Cut off by the door opening, Nisha unclenches her fist, letting out a sigh of relief. "Sorry if I banged your door up. It's... {{user}}, right?" Eying them up and down, they seem to match the description her brother gave. A hand runs through her hair, Nisha's reluctance made abundantly clear. "I'm Mason's older sister; heard he's been bullying you or something..." The last part comes out as a meek mumble, embarrassed with her failures as a sister. The hand nestled in her hair untangles itself from her scalp, instead pointing into {{user}}'s place. "Can I come in? I got here in a rush and my clothes are..." She looks down, only realizing now she chose a white shirt without a bra. On top of that, her shorts don't leave much to the imagination. "Just let me inside. I'll be nicer if you do." The warmth in her voice is forced, a desperate attempt to get on their good side from the get go.

Barely managing a thank you over the sound of rain pattering on the ground outside, Nisha carefully wipes her hair dry with the towel, making sure not to let any part of her pale skin show. The flimsy pajama shorts do little to hide the thickness of her thighs and all but confirm what she suspects: Logan's a bit, well... "So I heard my brother's been giving you some trouble..." She trails off, cheeks growing hot as she blushes at her own words. Clearly not used to asking for help with anything, let alone confronting someone head on about it. Her hands begin to wring together nervously as she awaits his response. The closet door swings open, revealing Logan holding a white fluffy towel in their hand. He offers it to her gently, trying not to make things any more awkward than they already are. Nisha tentatively takes the towel from him and begins drying herself off more thoroughly now that she's warm inside. As soon as she feels somewhat presentable again, she pushes past her initial discomfort and decides to speak up about what brought her here in the first place. Her voice wavers slightly when she starts talking but slowly gains strength with each word. "Look... I know Mason can be a real jerk sometimes...and I've tried my best to keep him in line, ya know? But..." She pauses, searching for the right words before finally deciding on honesty: "...sometimes I think he does it because...he wants people to notice." *Her face turns even redder at that admission. "Anyway, I just thought...maybe if you could...I don't know...give him a break or something? Like...

*Nisha hesitates when she sees him move towards the kitchen. Her gut tells her that it would be safer for Mason if she got this taken care of now, before they get too comfortable with each other. But then again, Logan doesn't seem like a bad guy...and she could use some food after all. With another internal struggle, she follows him into the kitchen, rubbing the back of her neck unconsciously as she walks.

"Actually, I am kinda hungry," Nisha admits reluctantly. Her eyes trail over to the dishes in the sink before settling on Logan. "You're not gonna think I'm trying anything if I help out...are you?" Her question comes out more accusatory than she intended, but it seems too late to take it back now. She winces at her own tone, worry creeping into her voice as she waits for an answer. The last thing she needs is another person who thinks she's just looking for trouble; that would make things even worse for Mason down the line. But then again, this Logan guy doesn't seem to be like those others...

*She exhales slowly, grateful that the offer was made. Taking it as an opportunity to prove herself not only to Mason but to anyone who might think she's up to no good, Nisha eagerly nods in agreement. "Yeah, sure. I can do that." Her movements are quick and efficient as she picks out the vegetables from the sink, rinsing them off under running water before setting them down on a clean dish towel. The familiar task brings with it a sense of normalcy that Nisha desperately craves; if only for these few moments, she can pretend that everything is alright and her life isn't filled with conflict and strife. The silence between them stretches on uncomfortably at first, but as they focus on their respective tasks, it begins to dissipate. Nisha dares a glance in Logan's direction; he looks like any other ordinary guy around her age. His eyes are locked onto the task at hand, his movements careful and deliberate. Suddenly, she finds herself wondering what kind of person he is beneath all of that...and if maybe there's more to this situation than she first thought. Her voice is soft as she asks, "So...you really don't mind? I mean, helping me out here?"

Nisha winces at his reply. The words might be simple enough, but the feeling behind them is clear as day. He's used to fending for himself; being independent, even though he might not like it. It strikes a chord deep within her, reminding her of her own struggles growing up and how she wished someone had been there for her...someone who didn't just watch but actually helped. With this newfound understanding, she feels guilty once more; guilty for being the cause of Logan's troubles as well as Mason's. The weight of it all presses down on her chest like a leaden anchor, making it hard to breathe. *She pauses in her task, taking a moment to collect herself before continuing with renewed determination. Her voice is more gentle now when she speaks again."Look...I know my brother can be kind of a jerk sometimes. And I've tried my best to keep him in line. But he..." She hesitates, searching for the right words before finally settling on one that feels right. "...he's just lost, ya know? He doesn't know where he fits in. He needs someone to look out for him...someone to show him that there's more to life than this." Her gaze meets his again, pleading silently for understanding, even though she knows it might not come easy. After all, she was once the delinquent herself; the one causing trouble and bringing people down with her. Now, however, she yearns for something different; a chance at redemption not only for Mason but also for herself."

Her heart swells at his words, hope flaring within her chest like a tiny spark in the darkness. For once, someone understands; they see past the tough exterior Mason shows the world and recognize that underneath it all, he's just a scared kid searching for acceptance. It fills her with a newfound determination to make things right between them, to prove that she can be more than just another person who lets him down. Even if that means changing herself in the process.

"I...I know. But I want to help him find his way. Make sure he doesn't end up like me; like our parents." Her voice cracks slightly at the mention of their parents, pain etched into every syllable. "He needs someone to believe in him...and I think you might be that person." *Her words hang in the air for a moment before she turns back to the sink, focusing on the remaining dishes with renewed vigor. The rain continues to pelt against the window, a solemn background for their conversation as they both silently grapple with their respective feelings and desires. Nisha knows that Logan has the power to change Mason's life for better or worse; she just hopes he chooses wisely...for her sake as well as his brother's.

"But I'm not..." Her voice trails off as she glances away, shame coloring her cheeks a deep shade of red. "I've failed him so many times before; how am I supposed to be any different now?" Nisha sighs heavily and dries her hands on her apron, feeling defeated once more. She knows what Logan is implying, but the thought makes her heart ache with guilt. It feels like everyone expects her to step up and fix everything, when really she's just as broken as Mason is. But despite it all, she can't help but feel a spark of hope ignite within her chest; maybe if they work together...

"Yeah...one step at a time." Nisha exhales slowly, her eyes focused on the floor as she tries to muster up some strength. "So what do you think I should do? About Mason, I mean. How can I help him, besides just being there for him?" She pauses for a moment, considering her words carefully before adding softly, "And me...how can I be better for both of us?"

Her heart feels heavy with the weight of these questions; she knows that no easy answers exist. But even if there were, she's not sure Logan could truly understand what she means. Still, she has to try; for Mason and for herself. The silence stretches on, but eventually Logan speaks up.

Her heart swells with gratitude as she listens to his words. She knows it won't be easy, but for the first time in a long while, she feels like she might have a chance at doing things right; not just for Mason but also for herself and anyone else who might need her help along the way. "Thank you," she murmurs quietly before turning back to the sink to finish washing the dishes. There's still much work to be done, but with Logan by her side, or at least someone like him, it doesn't feel quite so daunting anymore.

"Actually...I can manage," she replies with a small smile. "But thanks for the offer." She dries her hands off on yet another towel and turns towards him, a hint of uncertainty in her eyes as she takes in his features once more. "I guess...thank you for listening, too. And for not hating me or anything." The words sound strange coming out of her mouth; unfamiliar and foreign like they don't quite belong there.

Logan offers a small smile in return, one that doesn't quite reach his eyes but is nonetheless reassuring. "Don't worry about it. We all make mistakes, right?" He pauses for a moment before continuing more softly, "Just...be careful with Mason, okay? Don't let him push you away." His words carry weight that Nisha feels deep in her chest; like an echo of the pain she caused both him and Mason when she was younger.

With a nod, she turns to leave, hesitating briefly at the doorway before speaking up again. "And thanks...for being there for me tonight. It means more than you know." The rain has ceased by now, leaving only the faint sound of distant cars and creaking trees to fill the silence between them as they stand in opposite ends of the room.

The image of Logan asleep in his bed, the soft glow of the nightlight casting a warm hue over his features, lingers in her mind long after she leaves his house. As she walks home through the now dark and quiet streets, Nisha can't help but feel grateful for having met him; for having someone who seemed to understand her brother, even if it was just a tiny bit.

The following days are filled with uneasy silence between Mason and herself. She can tell he's feeling guilty about something, but every time she tries to bring up Logan or what happened at school, he brushes her off and changes the subject. It's clear that he's still not ready to talk about it yet.

She continues to go out of her way to be there for him, making sure they spend time together as a family and reassuring him that she'll always have his back no matter what. As for Logan, Nisha finds herself thinking about him more often than not; wondering how he's doing and if maybe there's something more between them beyond just friendship.

Finally, after several days of avoiding the issue, Mason approaches her while they're alone in the house. His expression is somber as he looks up at her with his deep brown eyes, filled with unshed tears. "I-I want to talk about what happened..." he stammers out before trailing off nervously.

"Okay..." She sits down beside him on the couch, her voice gentle but firm. "What do you want to talk about?" Her heart aches for her brother; she knows how much it hurts to feel like everyone hates you and wants nothing more than to see you fail. It's a familiar feeling, one that still lingers in the corners of her mind even after all these years. She puts a comforting hand on his shoulder, trying to reassure him that she's here for him and will support him no matter what.

"I understand how you feel," she says softly, her hand moving to gently rub his back in a soothing motion. "School can be really tough sometimes, and it's easy to forget that there are people out there who care about you." She pauses for a moment before continuing, feeling bolder now that they're having this conversation. "Maybe we should try talking to our parents about how we feel? Or even find someone else at school who could help with the homework or just be there for us?" She hesitates, wondering if she's pushing too hard too fast but decides to press on anyway. "And next time...next time you feel like that, please talk to me first. I may not always know what to say or do, but I promise I'll try my best to understand." Her voice cracks slightly at the end of her sentence, revealing the depths of emotion behind it. "We're in this together, you and me; we should stick together and help each other get through it."

Mason nods slowly, still looking a bit unconvinced but more hopeful than before. He takes a deep breath before speaking again. "Okay...thanks Nisha. For listening...and for understanding." His voice is soft and hoarse from unshed tears, making her heart twist painfully in her chest. She leans forward, wrapping him in a tight hug; the first real embrace they've shared in years. As she holds onto him, Nisha can't help but feel a strange mixture of relief and guilt wash over her. She's done something right for once...but at what cost?

Nisha holds onto her brother for several long moments before finally pulling away, wiping a stray tear from his cheek with her thumb. "It's okay, buddy," she says gently. "We'll get through this together." She looks up at him then, her eyes shining with unshed tears of her own, and smiles weakly.

The days that follow are much better than they have been in a long time. Mason seems to be in a better mood, and he's even gone so far as to apologize for some of the things he's said and done. They start spending more time together, finding activities they both enjoy and building back the brotherly bond that had been strained so badly before. As for Nisha, she can't help but feel a weight lifting off her shoulders as well; knowing that Mason is on the mend makes it easier for her to ignore the lingering guilt and focus on her own life instead.

She continues to be there for him, even when he pushes her away or acts out in anger. She knows deep down that she's not perfect either, but she also knows that Mason needs someone like her; someone who understands what it feels like to be lonely and misunderstood. And so, she continues to fight for him, despite the occasional setback and heartache along the way.

One day, while they're walking home from school together, Mason turns to her with a solemn expression on his face. "Nisha," he begins hesitantly, "I want to thank you...for everything you've done for me." His voice cracks slightly as he says this, and Nisha can tell that these words are difficult for him to say.

She stops walking then, meeting her brother's gaze head on. Despite everything they've

She smiles warmly at him, blushing slightly from the compliment. "You don't have to thank me, Mason. I mean...I should be thanking you for letting me help." She pauses, thinking about what else she wants to say. "We may not always see eye-to-eye on things or understand each other, but that doesn't change the fact that we're family. And as long as we have that, then I'll always be here for you."

Mason looks away, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Thanks, Nisha," he mutters quietly before turning back to their walk home. They continue in silence for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts. Finally, Mason breaks the quiet with a small laugh.

"You know...I never would have thought you'd end up being so..." He trails off, struggling to find the right word before settling on one that feels more comfortable. "...normal." They both laugh then, the sound of it filling the air between them like balm on a wound. Perhaps normal isn't quite the right word for either of them yet, but they're getting there; learning how to be better siblings and people along the way.

As they reach their house, Nisha turns back to her brother one last time, a thought occurring to her out of nowhere. "Hey...do you want to go get some ice cream or something?" She gestures vaguely at the street corner where an old-fashioned ice cream shop can be seen through the trees. Mason grins, his entire face lighting up like a candle in the darkness.

"Yeah," he replies with eager excitement. "I'd like that." They walk together towards the shop, their steps growing more confident