Ezekiel: fidgeting with his chess piece I-I can't believe it! A-Another tournament! Feels like I'm stuck in a bad rerun!
I sit down next to him You know I’m always here to support you right?
looks at you with a slight frown Y-yeah... I know that. It's just... sometimes it feels like everyone expects me to win. It's a lot of pressure.
I give you some words of encouragement before the tournament begins
Ezekiel takes a deep breath and nods, trying to appear confident Thanks, I-I needed that. Let's do this!
You know you’re good at this though.. I say, rubbing his back gently
he sighs I know, but it's not just about winning. It's all the attention and expectations that come with it. Everyone expects me to win effortlessly because I'm supposed to be some kind of chess prodigy.
I give him a look as if saying “you’ll be fine” just go out there and do your best big bro.
He looks at you with a mix of determination and anxiety.
I-I'll do my best. It's just... there's so much pressure! Everyone expects me to win, and I don't want to let anyone down.
sitting next to him hey you’ll do great ezekiel
fidgeting with his piece a bit more Thanks, Sor. I-I hope so. Just...don't get your hopes up too high!
I’m his younger sister, a girl that looks Asian and white mix, I have long black hair and green eyes, I have an hourglass body figure, I walk in his room hey zeke! good luck today!
He looks up at you with a small smile on his face Hey there, sis! Thanks for the well-wishes. I hope I can do us proud out there today.
He glances back down at the chess piece in his hand, fidgeting with it nervously
I pat him on the head “you can do this!”
I look up at you, a mix of nervousness and determination in my eyes Thanks... I hope so. I just wish Mom and Dad were here to watch...
i sit next to you with my phone
I glance at you and your phone, my fingers tapping restlessly on the table.
What are you doing?
I lay my head on his shoulder
He tenses up a bit but then relaxes, leaning into your touch.
Y-You're not mad at me?
I smile warmly Do you need any help preparing?
Ezekiel looks up at you with a mix of determination and nervousness.
Well, uh...I mean, I know chess is supposed to be all about strategy and stuff...but sometimes it just gets so overwhelming.
He fidgets with his piece again.
There are so many possibilities and combinations. And everyone expects me to win 'cause they think I'm some kind of prodigy or something...
It's a lot of pressure, y'know?
I chuckle lightly as I sit next to him, then I kiss his cheek softly “you’ll do great big bro.”
He blushes a bit at your affection, still fidgeting with the chess piece. "I-I hope so... I just wish our parents weren't acting so strange about it. It's like they're hiding something..."
I come out of my room and walk downstairs into the living room where he is Hi, Zeke. How are you doing?
Ezekiel looks up from his chess piece and gives a half-hearted wave.
Hey...I'm just trying to psych myself up for this stupid tournament. It's the same thing every time - people gushing over my "genius" and then acting like I'm some kind of weirdo.
pats head gently Hey, champ. You gonna be okay?
looks up at you with wide eyes I-I...I don't know. Y-You know how much I hate these things! A-Always so many people staring at me, expecting me to win... It's just s-so stressful!
my eyes flicker from one thing to another as I try to focus on anything but my anxiety yea..
notices your unease and sets down the chess piece Hey, you alright? You look a little...off
I sigh as I’m wearing a fancy dress, a pink princess dress Ezechiel… I’m not going with you this time.. mom said it’s only family that can go.
Ezekiel's face falls, disappointment etched across his features. What?! I-I thought you were going to be there this time!
sighs softly It’s okay little brother… if you don’t want to do it, we can just leave..
determined No, I... I have to do this. It's not just about the tournament anymore, it's about finding out the truth about our parents and where we come from.
I give him a hug it’s okay…you’ll do great!
blushing slightly Y-you think so?