WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.740 The next two weeks are going to be the worst 00:00:01.740 --> 00:00:04.240 days of my life, and I don't say that lightly, 00:00:04.679 --> 00:00:07.639 because Giuliana will be joining us. Giuliana 00:00:07.639 --> 00:00:10.359 Bord is the prettiest, most down -to -earth, 00:00:10.539 --> 00:00:13.560 and the most curious girl I've ever met. She's 00:00:13.560 --> 00:00:16.199 also my stepbrother's girlfriend, and soon to 00:00:16.199 --> 00:00:21.339 be fiancé. Yes, fiancé. Just the thought of it 00:00:21.339 --> 00:00:25.079 makes me want to punch the air. Honestly, Giuliana 00:00:25.079 --> 00:00:27.960 should have been my fiancé. But that's a long 00:00:27.960 --> 00:00:31.870 story. One I don't want to tell but have to anyway 00:00:31.870 --> 00:00:35.450 At this very moment my little brother is picking 00:00:35.450 --> 00:00:37.130 her up from the airport and bringing her here 00:00:37.130 --> 00:00:40.350 for two weeks of summer fun Well, technically 00:00:40.350 --> 00:00:43.030 it's for our parents anniversary. They've invited 00:00:43.030 --> 00:00:46.009 her to celebrate with us Juliana just finished 00:00:46.009 --> 00:00:47.990 her master's degree in civil engineering and 00:00:47.990 --> 00:00:50.890 graduated three weeks ago. I Keep calling her 00:00:50.890 --> 00:00:54.109 his fiance, but she doesn't know it yet After 00:00:54.109 --> 00:00:56.450 eight years together. My brother has finally 00:00:56.450 --> 00:00:59.890 decided to pop the question He's gonna do it 00:00:59.890 --> 00:01:02.710 at the anniversary party. That's in approximately 00:01:02.710 --> 00:01:06.969 two nights. I Should be glad for him for them 00:01:06.969 --> 00:01:11.069 But I'm not Henry has been a loose cannon over 00:01:11.069 --> 00:01:13.569 the past two years ever since she said she was 00:01:13.569 --> 00:01:17.109 going back for her masters Despite my many attempts 00:01:17.109 --> 00:01:20.109 to warn him about his infidelity. He never listened 00:01:20.109 --> 00:01:24.790 When he told me he was going to propose I laughed 00:01:25.659 --> 00:01:27.799 I laughed because I know what kind of person 00:01:27.799 --> 00:01:31.480 my brother is. He doesn't love her. He's only 00:01:31.480 --> 00:01:33.579 doing this because it feels like an obligation. 00:01:34.500 --> 00:01:36.840 He said he'd stop messing around with other girls. 00:01:36.959 --> 00:01:40.420 But I know that's a lie. He can never help himself. 00:01:41.159 --> 00:01:43.719 And that's why it hurts. Watching the woman who 00:01:43.719 --> 00:01:45.939 should have been mine get played by someone else. 00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:49.000 I could easily go back to my apartment and avoid 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:51.540 all of this. But mom and dad want me here to 00:01:51.540 --> 00:01:55.099 help with preparations. I live in the city. about 00:01:55.099 --> 00:01:57.799 two hours away so it made perfect sense for me 00:01:57.799 --> 00:02:01.680 to stay and work remotely. We're sitting in the 00:02:01.680 --> 00:02:04.120 living room having a discussion about seat arrangements 00:02:04.120 --> 00:02:08.080 when we hear a car door shut. Dad stands and 00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:11.219 heads to the door. Another door slams followed 00:02:11.219 --> 00:02:14.259 by cheerful laughter. When dad opens the front 00:02:14.259 --> 00:02:18.879 door I stay seated not moving. Juliana greets 00:02:18.879 --> 00:02:21.060 everyone with tight hugs and kisses on the cheek 00:02:21.060 --> 00:02:25.360 and then finally walks over to me. Elliot she 00:02:25.360 --> 00:02:29.520 says like a statement Julie She reaches for me 00:02:29.520 --> 00:02:34.379 with open arms It's been a long time. I Hug her 00:02:34.379 --> 00:02:36.740 back inhaling the light scent of her fruity perfume 00:02:36.740 --> 00:02:41.319 She always smells fucking amazing Same here. 00:02:41.500 --> 00:02:45.939 I pat her back. It's awkward as hell Juliana 00:02:45.939 --> 00:02:48.819 releases me slowly and steps away her eyes meet 00:02:48.819 --> 00:02:51.620 mine then she turns to Henry with a small smile 00:02:52.610 --> 00:02:55.889 Thanks for having me, you guys. Alright, enough 00:02:55.889 --> 00:02:58.610 of that. I'm sure she's tired and jet -lagged. 00:02:59.030 --> 00:03:02.610 I'll show her to our room. Henry gives me a quick 00:03:02.610 --> 00:03:04.689 glance and brushes past me, tugging Giuliano 00:03:04.689 --> 00:03:08.930 along. Sometimes I wonder if he knows. If he's 00:03:08.930 --> 00:03:10.870 figured out that I somehow caught feelings for 00:03:10.870 --> 00:03:14.069 her. That I dangerously fell for her the moment 00:03:14.069 --> 00:03:18.669 we first met. On that fishing trip. The evening 00:03:18.669 --> 00:03:20.729 drags on through dinner where Giuliana catches 00:03:20.729 --> 00:03:22.990 everyone up on her career and her future plans. 00:03:23.770 --> 00:03:25.969 It bugs me every fucking time Henry kisses her 00:03:25.969 --> 00:03:28.490 on the cheek. It feels like he's showing off 00:03:28.490 --> 00:03:31.189 in front of me. And it even looks like it makes 00:03:31.189 --> 00:03:34.909 Giuliana uncomfortable. Jesus, he can't even 00:03:34.909 --> 00:03:38.030 read the fucking room. Eventually, when my meal 00:03:38.030 --> 00:03:41.169 is over, I excuse myself and head to the backyard 00:03:41.169 --> 00:03:45.370 patio. Normally, I'd take a smoke, but I promise 00:03:45.370 --> 00:03:48.379 to quit. I've been smoke -free for two years 00:03:48.379 --> 00:03:51.280 now. All I can do is watch the blue lighting 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:54.180 ripple through the pool. My parents are wealthy, 00:03:54.400 --> 00:03:57.500 but conservative. Our five -bedroom house is 00:03:57.500 --> 00:04:00.340 simple and homey, a far cry from what most wealthy 00:04:00.340 --> 00:04:03.719 families purchase. My father built his insurance 00:04:03.719 --> 00:04:06.719 company from the ground up, and it became a huge 00:04:06.719 --> 00:04:10.520 success. That's why he hired Juliana's dad to 00:04:10.520 --> 00:04:13.400 help run it. And now, with Henry managing the 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:17.899 company, Dad can finally enjoy retirement. A 00:04:17.899 --> 00:04:20.339 cold breeze brushes my face, and suddenly Juliana 00:04:20.339 --> 00:04:23.240 is standing next to me. She peers up at the night 00:04:23.240 --> 00:04:25.720 sky, where stars are scattered across the darkness. 00:04:26.740 --> 00:04:29.680 Looks like we're gonna get some rain, she says. 00:04:29.980 --> 00:04:33.100 I doubt it. She points to the far right, where 00:04:33.100 --> 00:04:36.439 a cluster of grey clouds is building. It'll reach 00:04:36.439 --> 00:04:41.139 us soon. So what? You're a geologist now? I thought 00:04:41.139 --> 00:04:44.769 you studied engineering. I tease. She smiles 00:04:44.769 --> 00:04:48.430 and my heart fucking sings. Doesn't take a genius 00:04:48.430 --> 00:04:51.449 to know what kind of clouds those are. Before 00:04:51.449 --> 00:04:54.089 I can say anything else, Henry joins us, walking 00:04:54.089 --> 00:04:56.930 right between us. He claps me on the shoulder. 00:04:57.629 --> 00:04:59.629 Now would have been a great time for a smoke, 00:04:59.769 --> 00:05:04.550 eh? He grins. Too bad you quit. Juliana gapes 00:05:04.550 --> 00:05:09.110 at me, her eyes wide. You quit? Yep. Two years 00:05:09.110 --> 00:05:12.449 ago. Juliana rubs her neck and stares back up 00:05:12.449 --> 00:05:17.790 at the sky. Oh. Weird, huh? Who would have guessed 00:05:17.790 --> 00:05:21.389 my big brother would stop smoking? Another clap 00:05:21.389 --> 00:05:24.129 on my shoulder. If she wasn't standing there, 00:05:24.589 --> 00:05:26.730 I probably would have given in and had one tonight. 00:05:28.230 --> 00:05:30.589 Two years ago at Henry's graduation, Juliana 00:05:30.589 --> 00:05:33.730 said smoking was bad for me, that she despised 00:05:33.730 --> 00:05:36.910 smokers. It had been years since I'd seen her, 00:05:37.009 --> 00:05:40.410 and that was my first impression. I quit the 00:05:40.410 --> 00:05:44.860 next week. Henry stretches. Anyways, I'm getting 00:05:44.860 --> 00:05:49.100 tired. And you should be too, love. Big day tomorrow. 00:05:49.660 --> 00:05:52.920 Let's call it a night. But I'm not tired yet. 00:05:53.720 --> 00:05:55.860 Well, I am. And you know I sleep better when 00:05:55.860 --> 00:05:59.759 you're with me. I roll my eyes. Henry scoffs. 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:02.660 Don't be jealous. It's not my fault she puts 00:06:02.660 --> 00:06:07.079 me to sleep. He grabs her hand. Let's go, love. 00:06:08.199 --> 00:06:10.970 As she's being tugged along... Juliana glances 00:06:10.970 --> 00:06:13.170 over her shoulder at me with a sigh of defeat. 00:06:14.290 --> 00:06:16.769 And I'm left standing there, already exhausted. 00:06:17.529 --> 00:06:22.490 And the night has barely begun. The next day 00:06:22.490 --> 00:06:25.129 comes, and I feel like I haven't slept one bit. 00:06:26.089 --> 00:06:27.970 Maybe it's because of the impending engagement. 00:06:28.529 --> 00:06:31.089 I just can't see Henry marrying her, and it bothers 00:06:31.089 --> 00:06:33.790 my fucking soul. Everyone is out of the house 00:06:33.790 --> 00:06:37.209 today. Juliana and my mother are busy finalizing 00:06:37.209 --> 00:06:40.240 the last details of the party. The men, on the 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:42.500 other hand, are busy doing the heavy lifting 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:45.079 with the event coordinator. But over the last 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:47.439 two hours, Henry has been acting differently. 00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:50.480 I can't put my finger on it, but it somehow feels 00:06:50.480 --> 00:06:52.980 like we're in game, and there are no spectators. 00:06:53.720 --> 00:06:55.699 This comes as no surprise, because ever since 00:06:55.699 --> 00:06:58.519 we were younger, Henry had always seen me as 00:06:58.519 --> 00:07:01.939 competition. It was as if he had to live up to 00:07:01.939 --> 00:07:05.779 some sort of standard. I get it. His dad married 00:07:05.779 --> 00:07:09.620 my mom, and I was the older one. We were two 00:07:09.620 --> 00:07:12.920 years apart, but Henry saw me as a threat. Like 00:07:12.920 --> 00:07:15.980 I wanted to take his dad from him. When in reality, 00:07:16.300 --> 00:07:18.420 I just wanted us to be brothers and have a father 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:22.220 figure around. We get home that evening, exhausted. 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:24.939 When we would have just sat on a couch to relax 00:07:24.939 --> 00:07:27.879 a little, Henry went upstairs to check on Juliana. 00:07:28.720 --> 00:07:31.199 He hadn't returned for the night, and I'm guessing 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:34.620 he wanted to keep her away from me. Maybe he 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:37.759 thinks I'll tell her about his affairs and rendezvous. 00:07:38.910 --> 00:07:42.569 but that's not my problem. I'm just happy to 00:07:42.569 --> 00:07:46.569 see Juliana happy. When mom and dad turn in for 00:07:46.569 --> 00:07:48.430 the night I use the silence to get some work 00:07:48.430 --> 00:07:51.470 done. As a game designer I'm free to take my 00:07:51.470 --> 00:07:54.089 work anywhere I go, but it also means I have 00:07:54.089 --> 00:07:57.350 a lot of deadlines and client edits. It's 3 a 00:07:57.350 --> 00:07:59.110 .m. and I am almost finished with my current 00:07:59.110 --> 00:08:01.290 project when I hear a noise from the stairway. 00:08:02.290 --> 00:08:04.329 I crane my neck toward the sound only to find 00:08:04.329 --> 00:08:07.800 Juliana descending the stairs. I resume my work, 00:08:07.959 --> 00:08:10.879 but stop when I feel her presence behind me. 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:13.100 Juliana moves to the side of me and sips from 00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:16.980 a mug. Can't sleep? I say, breaking the silence. 00:08:18.160 --> 00:08:21.319 She shakes her head. Henry snores like a tuba. 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:27.220 I chuckle. Isn't he going to miss you? Nah. He's 00:08:27.220 --> 00:08:30.819 definitely out cold. So, what are you doing? 00:08:31.980 --> 00:08:34.940 Work. It's for a client. I'm almost finished. 00:08:36.699 --> 00:08:39.419 Oh, I still can't believe you're a game designer. 00:08:39.899 --> 00:08:41.940 I actually thought you would have studied business 00:08:41.940 --> 00:08:44.899 and run Eric's company. Didn't you like that 00:08:44.899 --> 00:08:48.220 sort of thing? Yeah, but my interest changed. 00:08:48.539 --> 00:08:52.179 I lie. I did like running a business. I did want 00:08:52.179 --> 00:08:53.899 to get a business degree, but it was easier to 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:55.899 go in a different direction from what Henry wanted. 00:08:56.600 --> 00:08:58.580 And given that it's his dad who owns the company, 00:08:59.340 --> 00:09:01.460 he's within his right to be the next CEO and 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:04.679 take over. I just didn't want to be in the way. 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:08.919 Besides, Henry seemed hell -bent on running his 00:09:08.919 --> 00:09:12.519 father's company. Juliana sets the cup near my 00:09:12.519 --> 00:09:15.799 computer and I eye it like it's a virus. She 00:09:15.799 --> 00:09:19.940 gives me a smile. Relax. It's just hot water. 00:09:21.080 --> 00:09:25.519 Just? You know it's still liquid, right? She 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:27.480 sighs and sets the cup a little further away 00:09:27.480 --> 00:09:33.580 from my laptop. Am I bothering you? No. Good. 00:09:33.769 --> 00:09:37.169 because I'm glad for the company. I start typing 00:09:37.169 --> 00:09:40.549 again and I can feel her eyes on me. We stay 00:09:40.549 --> 00:09:43.009 like this for the next half hour, with her asking 00:09:43.009 --> 00:09:45.250 questions about my work, which I know she'll 00:09:45.250 --> 00:09:48.830 forget by morning. But honestly, having her around 00:09:48.830 --> 00:09:52.289 helped me. I felt relaxed, and I was thinking 00:09:52.289 --> 00:09:55.870 clearly. I set my blue light glasses down and 00:09:55.870 --> 00:09:58.429 she picks them up quickly, peeking through each 00:09:58.429 --> 00:10:02.309 lens like a child with a new toy. I've never 00:10:02.309 --> 00:10:06.200 bought one of these. Do they really work? I think 00:10:06.200 --> 00:10:09.659 so. Well, my eyes don't hurt as much as before 00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:16.059 I got them. Hmm. She tries them on. I... Juliana. 00:10:17.179 --> 00:10:19.220 Both our heads whip around toward the stairway. 00:10:19.779 --> 00:10:21.440 Henry is standing at the foot of the stairs, 00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:26.700 scowling. God, don't you sleep? She stands. I 00:10:26.700 --> 00:10:29.759 can't when you're snoring all the time. Henry 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:32.460 rakes his fingers through his brown hair. Come. 00:10:32.669 --> 00:10:35.429 Let's get back to bed. I'll just wait for you 00:10:35.429 --> 00:10:38.870 to fall asleep before I sleep. All this time 00:10:38.870 --> 00:10:40.830 I've found something else to do on my laptop. 00:10:41.909 --> 00:10:43.490 I don't want to get caught up in their couple 00:10:43.490 --> 00:10:47.350 drama, especially when Henry is involved. When 00:10:47.350 --> 00:10:49.970 Henry stretches his hand out for her, Juliana 00:10:49.970 --> 00:10:53.350 glances over her shoulder at me. Good night, 00:10:53.509 --> 00:10:56.990 Elliot. I give her a silent salute before Henry 00:10:56.990 --> 00:11:00.610 whispers something in her ear. She nods, then 00:11:00.610 --> 00:11:04.389 disappears upstairs. Henry rushes toward me and 00:11:04.389 --> 00:11:07.289 flops into the chair beside me. The one Juliana 00:11:07.289 --> 00:11:10.129 had just occupied, still warm and scented like 00:11:10.129 --> 00:11:14.970 sweet mangoes. What's your angle? I'm sorry, 00:11:15.049 --> 00:11:18.710 what? What are you trying to do with her? What 00:11:18.710 --> 00:11:23.070 were you two talking about? I shrug. Nothing 00:11:23.070 --> 00:11:26.529 of importance. Stay the fuck away from Juliana. 00:11:27.269 --> 00:11:29.029 The last thing I need is for you to be giving 00:11:29.029 --> 00:11:32.070 her any ideas and fucking up tomorrow. I am a 00:11:32.070 --> 00:11:36.190 changed man now. That was my past. Got it, dude. 00:11:36.750 --> 00:11:40.049 Now chill. I won't fuck up anything for you. 00:11:40.970 --> 00:11:42.950 If he remains the same as today, he might just 00:11:42.950 --> 00:11:47.230 do that all by himself. I love her. I'm sure 00:11:47.230 --> 00:11:50.750 you do. What the fuck is that supposed to mean? 00:11:51.950 --> 00:11:56.149 Nothing. I shake my head. Your fiance to be is 00:11:56.149 --> 00:11:59.690 waiting on you. Anything to end this dumb conversation. 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:04.559 Henry stands and squeezes my shoulder. I bet 00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:07.980 she is. I shut my laptop and stretch my arms 00:12:07.980 --> 00:12:12.159 above me. It's been a long night. I think I'll 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:16.299 head in too. We have a busy day tomorrow. See 00:12:16.299 --> 00:12:21.100 you in the morning, brother. It's the day of 00:12:21.100 --> 00:12:23.379 our parents' anniversary, and we're three hours 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:26.000 in when Henry stands and taps his glass for his 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:28.500 second speech of the night. No one but Mom and 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:31.480 I knows what he's about to say. First, he starts 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:34.600 off talking about love and devotion, then references 00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:38.200 Juliana, calls her a queen, someone he adores 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:41.679 and respects. I have to stifle a few too many 00:12:41.679 --> 00:12:44.539 huffs. I really don't want to ruin the moment. 00:12:45.860 --> 00:12:48.320 Suddenly, Henry is in front of Juliana, down 00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:52.059 on one knee. She says yes, and the crowd cheers. 00:12:52.799 --> 00:12:54.919 But I didn't ignore the way she glanced at me 00:12:54.919 --> 00:12:57.899 before answering. There was a flicker of sadness 00:12:57.899 --> 00:13:01.090 or disappointment in her eyes. I don't know. 00:13:01.850 --> 00:13:04.830 Maybe I'm reading too much into it. The night 00:13:04.830 --> 00:13:08.210 carries on. And after everything he just said, 00:13:08.629 --> 00:13:10.429 Henry still decides to go out with his friends 00:13:10.429 --> 00:13:13.549 to celebrate his engagement. Juliana doesn't 00:13:13.549 --> 00:13:17.669 even protest. She just lets him go. Had I been 00:13:17.669 --> 00:13:19.909 the one who proposed, we would have spent the 00:13:19.909 --> 00:13:22.429 entire night together, whether wrapped in sheets 00:13:22.429 --> 00:13:25.470 or sharing dinner. My fiance would have been 00:13:25.470 --> 00:13:28.169 by my side. I would have not been out with the 00:13:28.169 --> 00:13:31.190 boys. It's after midnight, and I'm listening 00:13:31.190 --> 00:13:33.909 to a podcast when Juliana appears wrapped in 00:13:33.909 --> 00:13:40.230 a duvet Cold I ask she shakes her head then nods 00:13:40.230 --> 00:13:45.129 kind of I Pat the empty space beside me Juliana 00:13:45.129 --> 00:13:47.789 sinks into the seat, but keeps a reasonable distance 00:13:47.789 --> 00:13:52.590 Am I bothering you again? Never you shouldn't 00:13:52.590 --> 00:13:55.870 have to ask that I Set the phone on the coffee 00:13:55.870 --> 00:13:59.570 table and lean back into the couch So what's 00:13:59.570 --> 00:14:02.330 got you up at this hour? I know it's not Henry 00:14:02.330 --> 00:14:05.870 snoring. So what is it then? wedding jitters 00:14:05.870 --> 00:14:11.409 She scoffs what? Nothing can we watch a movie 00:14:11.409 --> 00:14:14.690 or something? Whatever you're up for I'm down 00:14:14.690 --> 00:14:17.929 as long as it helps your mood. I Hand her the 00:14:17.929 --> 00:14:20.750 remote after a while. She finally chooses something. 00:14:20.929 --> 00:14:25.210 It's a romance We sit in silence watching the 00:14:25.210 --> 00:14:28.000 screen If anyone asked me what the movie was 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:31.379 about, I couldn't say. My mind keeps drifting 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:34.659 down the worst paths. I want to say Henry isn't 00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:37.559 the one she should be marrying. That he's a cheater, 00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:40.860 and he's probably cheating right now. But I shake 00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:44.700 it off. It's not my place. I'll be damned if 00:14:44.700 --> 00:14:46.720 I get blamed for ruining their relationship. 00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:57.019 Juliana yawns. Though her voice is heavy with 00:14:57.019 --> 00:15:02.080 sleep. I know she's tired. So am I. But her presence 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:05.539 always brings a strange sort of peace. Ten minutes. 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:09.759 She murmurs. Then you can send me to bed. I let 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:14.179 out a soft laugh. Alright, ten minutes. I'm just 00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:17.179 gonna lay my head here. She tilts her body until 00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:19.980 her head rests on my shoulder. Her eyes are still 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:24.980 open but heavy. I allow it. Ten minutes. Juliana 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:29.519 lets out a soft sigh. This is what I like. This 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:33.460 is what I can get used to. But I can't. Not with 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:36.000 Henry's existence. I just have to enjoy this 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:41.500 moment since it may never happen again. What 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:54.269 the fuck is going on here? Stay tuned for part 00:15:54.269 --> 00:15:56.889 two, and don't forget to subscribe. Follow me 00:15:56.889 --> 00:15:59.909 on TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube. I'll greatly 00:15:59.909 --> 00:16:02.269 appreciate it. Thanks. Bye.