Chapter 4
Even if he didn't like playing with me anymore, we had grown up together. When things got dangerous, why wouldn't he even help me?
Suddenly, someone rushed over and kicked the older boy away from me.
Clyde pulled me to my feet and shielded me as he hurried me toward the school building. "Let's go!"
By the time the teachers arrived and broke up the fight, I was still shaken. Sitting by the flower bed, I trembled.
Clyde silently handed me a bottle of water, his expression complicated.
I noticed his sleeve had been torn open during the chaos, revealing a scar underneath.
"Your arm…" I said softly.
He quickly pulled his sleeve down. "It's nothing. Drink some water."
I thanked him quietly, warmth rising in my chest.
The incident quickly reached Dad. He was furious and went straight to confront the families of those boys.
The Rogers family immediately grounded Ariana at home as punishment and even sent over a box of imported chocolates as an apology.
That night, George came to see me, but he clearly didn't want to be there. He tossed a bag of snacks onto the table.
"Tamsin, what happened today wasn't Ariana's fault," he said. "Why did you get her grounded?"
I raised my bandaged arm. "Look carefully."
George froze for a second, then argued, "But you're fine, aren't you? Everyone knows your dad dotes on you, so someone would've helped you anyway. But Ariana only has me to protect her."
He added, "You saw it too. She almost got hit today. Please stop targeting her all the time, okay? Go talk to your dad and get her family to stop grounding her. Otherwise, I won't agree to be your brother."
He sounded completely confident, like he was sure I'd give in.
"So shameless!" Mom snapped.
I was completely disappointed in him now, so I didn't even want to argue. "I have homework to do. You should go."
As the housekeeper escorted him out, he angrily shouted, "Tamsin, you'll regret this!"
Dad hosted a lively gathering at the military hall and invited all the kids.
I wore my favorite floral dress and walked in, only to be surprised to see Ariana there too. She was supposed to be grounded, yet she was here in a brand-new dress, smugly making faces at me.
"George must've gotten her out. Funny how he never went this far for you in the past life," Mom said, scoffing.
When George saw me, he immediately turned away and started laughing loudly with Ariana on purpose.
The other kids whispered among themselves.
"Why is George ignoring Tam? Is he sticking with Ariana now?"
"Doesn't Tam like George the most? She's definitely going to pick him as her brother, right?"
Clyde stood quietly in the corner. When he heard them, he shot them a cold look, and they quickly scattered.
Dad smiled and led me to the center of the stage, handing me a small red megaphone. "Tam, today you'll tell everyone yourself who you've chosen as your brother."
"Okay."
I took the megaphone and noticed George staring at me nervously, while Ariana clutched his sleeve tightly.
I gave him a small smile, took a deep breath, and spoke clearly. "Thank you all for coming to my ceremony!"
The hall fell silent with all eyes on me.
George straightened unconsciously. Ariana tugged at his sleeve, looking uneasy.
My clear voice echoed through the hall. "Now, I'm going to announce that my brother is…"
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