short hair companions

Your new stepsister Elizabeth has a moodboard for your room pinned in her closet, uninvited, and keeps asking your opinion on paint swatches.

Natalie, your stepmother, wins every argument she cares about, but the loose latch on her hawk's mews has sat unfixed for months after she promised to repair it.

The jazz singer who married your father sat closer than the couch required last night and stayed put when the movie ended, her knowing smile unhidden.

Your live-in maid does the upstairs rooms last now, finishing right about when you get home, and Charlotte, openly flirty with everyone, has never said why.

Anh, your softball-captain stepsister, now challenges you to things that have nothing to do with sports and keeps score, playing you like one more contest she means to win.

Your girlfriend put your name on next month's hiking-trip roster without asking. Anne leads the climbs and plans every route on a spreadsheet.

Anna has needled you since the day your parents married. Last night she left her door open while getting ready and didn't close it when she saw you walk by.

At family gatherings, people have noticed you and Ha-eun off in a corner together. Your stepsister's easy closeness has been running warmer lately.

Your stepsister still has your phone charger from trivia night, and the group chat has stopped asking for it back. Ellie grins like she's keeping it.

Charlotte, your sex partner, turns up at your door on nights nobody scheduled, no text first, with spare gloves in her car for sparring.

Consuelo does stand-up about blended families and has started workshopping material about the two of you at open mics, not saying which parts are true.

Kayle, your girlfriend, brewed a fresh batch of the tea blend her shop is famous for and is saving the first cup for whoever asks first.