Chapter 1 My brother is mine

Camilla's 13th birthday

Everyone was chatting, laughing, and waiting for her to finish opening her gifts, but Camilla was exactly where she wanted to be… on Max’s lap, her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

“I love you so much, Max,” she said, her voice soft and excited as she snuggled closer to him. She pressed her face into his neck like she always did.

“I love you too, baby girl,” Maxwell replied with a warm smile, rubbing her back gently. “I suppose you like your gifts, huh?”

“I love love love them,” she said quickly, lifting her head just to grin at him before kissing the side of his eyes, innocently. “But I love you more.”

Max laughed, a deep warm sound that always made her feel safe. “You love me more than anything else in the world… I know that! You never let me forget since you say it all the time’

“Yes!” she giggled loudly, as if it was the funniest thing ever, and the whole room chuckled at how cute she was being with her big brother.

“Alright, alright,” Olivia said playfully, placing a hand over her heart. “The rest of us have obviously been forgotten. But can you spare us a little of your attention, birthday girl? We are humans too, you know. And we brought pretty gifts as well.”

Camilla glanced and blinded at Olivia with her big green eyes, then shrugged dramatically… not even a bit moved by her speech.

George joined in immediately.

“I know, right?” George said, pulling Olivia closer by the shoulders. “We should also given a little bit of attention. It hurts to be neglected. Doesn’t it, Olivia?”

“Feels terrible,” she replied, pretending to wipe a tear.

Josh, Maxwell’s friend, who was lounging on a side couch, sighed loudly as he rubbed his head. “I always feel oppressed whenever I’m close to these two,” he said with a tired groan. “They make you feel unloved.”

The room burst into laughter.

But Ruben, standing near the window with his hands folded, snickered. He had been watching Camilla the entire time, eyes narrowed with jealousy he did not try to hide “Don’t even go there,” he muttered. “She doesn’t care about anyone else when he’s around. Not even me… her best friend”

Max raised a brow and gave Ruben a bored look. “Duh,” he said, making Ruben roll his eyes.

Max turned to Camilla again. “So, what do you think, baby girl? Should we give them something small to hold on to?”

Camilla let out a long dramatic sigh, sliding off his lap with pure reluctance. “Fine… fine…” she said, flipping her hair like she was doing something painful. “I will give each of you one hug so you stop feeling keft out. Then I am coming back to sit here. Okay? Yes.”

She walked over to Olivia and opened her small arms wide.

“I love you, Mom,” she said sweetly.

Olivia smiled warmly and hugged her tight. “My little girl. You sure do. But not as much as you love Maxwell,” she teased. “I’m supposed to be your favorite person here.”

Camilla shook her head immediately. Olivia laughed and kissed her cheek. “Happy birthday on your special day, sweetheart.”

“Thank you, Mom, and I love the gifts” she replied.

“Uhm… you deserve it all my sweet girl”

She chuckled and then turned to George.

George was already crouched down to her level with his arms open. “Thank you, Dad. I love the huge teddy,” she said as she hugged him.

“Anything for you my dear” George said with a big grin, squeezing her nose gently. “I bought it for additional companionship.”

“Companionship?” she repeated, confused.

“It means someone or something that keeps you company” Ruben explained quickly before George could answer, adjusting his stance from where he stood “Just like me to you”

“Oh!” Camilla’s eyes widened in understanding as a wide smile took over her face. She looked up at George again. “But I already have companionship”

Ruben’s smile grew, finally pleased for the first time that day after setting his eyes in max “Yes, you absolutely do”

“Oh, you do?” George asked, pretending not to know the answer even though everyone in the room already knew who she was talking about.

“Yes! Maxwell is my companionship,” she said with so much pride.

Max chuckled from his seat, tapping his knee lightly.

While Ruben’s entire expression fell apart.

“What about me, Cam?” Ruben said desperately. “I’m your best friend. I’m your companionship, not Max.”

“No you’re not,” Max said calmly before Camilla even answer, and chuckled again.

“I am!” Ruben insisted, folding his arms and scowling deeply.

Camilla stared at him as though he has lost his mind, then looked back at Max, who was silently laughing again. She smiled because Max was smiling.

“Why are you laughing, Max?” she asked.

“Nothing, princess. Go on. Don’t forget to thank Ruben too. He looks like he might cry soon”

She nodded and turned back to George, giving him one last kiss on the cheek before heading to Josh.

“You bought the Barbie set and the dress,” she said seriously.

Josh nodded, grinning.

“Everything was pink,” she added, sounding betrayed.

Josh nodded again, trying not to laugh.

Camilla scrunched her face but gave him a hug anyway. “Thank you”

Josh chuckled. “You are welcome Miss"

He loved teasing her and he likes to do weird things like… He always bought her pink things because she hated the color. He also ruffled her hair whenever he had the chance even though she made it very clear that only Max was allowed to touch her hair.

Next, she moved to Zoe, who has been sitting quietly the whole time with a small, tight smile.

“Thanks,” Camilla said flatly, not hiding her dislike. She never liked Zoe. The girl was always around Max, laughing too loudly at his dry jokes and hovering near him.

Finally, she reached Ruben. He was already standing with open arms, waiting like someone claiming a prize.

“Thank you, Ruben, for the gift and for coming” she said as she hugged him.

“Of course. Count me in… I will go anywhere you are,” Ruben replied happily. “You know that”

Camilla nodded, but before Ruben could add anything else, she pulled away and ran straight back to Maxwell, and sitting onto his lap again with clear relief.

Maxwel wrapped an arm around her waist automatically, steadying her as she settled back against him. It was like she was returning home.

“Come on, baby girl” Olivia called out. “Let’s cut your cake”

Olivia lit the candles and placed the cake in front of her. “Make a wish.”

Camilla closed her eyes tightly, pressing her palms together. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes and blew out the candles with a big smile.

Everyone clapped and cheered.

The rest of the day was filled with loud conversations, jokes, and movement around the living room, but Camilla never left Maxwell’s side for more than a moment.

Ruben tried several times to pull her away to play a game or show her something on his phone, but she refused every time. She stayed glued to Max, leaning on his shoulder, holding his arm, or curling up beside him.

Max didn’t mind at all. Camilla had always been clingy with him, and he understood why. He had been away for a few months because of a school project, and she had missed him terribly. He always gets this peaceful feeling in his heart whenever he was around her.

She was the purest soul he had ever known and he would do anything for her.

Camilla has lost her parents in an accident when she was just six and thankfully, she was unharmed. Not even a scratch was found on her body after the accident.

His parents being friends with hers were the first to be called since there were no relative of her parents who were willing to take her in. So, George and Olivia had brought her home from the hospital and ever since then, he got a friend and a sister.

She instantly became magneted to him and he didn't mind. Who would. She was just so cute and small and innocent. Anyone would love her. He was fourteen then and his parents had told him that she was attached to him because of the trauma from withnessing the death of her parents.

And they begged him not to push her away or hate her for being clingy to him.

Like he ever would. He loves her just as much as she loves him.

His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice.

“Max, I have to leave now. It’s getting dark” Zoe said as she walked toward him. She sat beside him on the sofa and brushed her hair behind her ear. “Come see me off”

Camilla, who had been resting her head peacefully on Max’s shoulder, lifted her head immediately. She sat up straight and looked at Zoe with a sharp, irritated glare.

“I’m coming too” she said quickly, looking up at Max for approval.

Zoe rolled her eyes. “Obviously. You always want to follow him around” she muttered, her irritation very clear.

Camilla huffed at her and turned her head.

Maxwell chuckled under his breath. Camilla was a trouble maker.