"Get in a little closer, everyone."

This was ridiculous. Which women in their right mind are taking family photos with their husband's illegitimate child? My Mom, of all people! Why was my mom such a forgiver? We moved in closer together, making me more uncomfortable standing next to my newly found half-brother, John. He shifted his position a little bit, avoiding all means to make any contact with me.

"Okay, perfect!" mother exclaimed. She set up the camera in timer mode and ran next to me. "Everyone smile!" The light from the camera blinked five times in a row before it flashed. We were all going to leave until Mom stopped us. "We have to take one more picture."

"Honey," Dad walked up to her. "We took many pictures. The kids are getting a little irritated," he glanced at me and then John. "We can take family portraits later on."

Mom sighed. "Alright, then," she took down the tripod and looked at me. "Why don't you show John around town? You guys haven't really had the chance to talk to each other," she smiled.

"But Mom, I have to finish my senior project. If I fail this, I…"

"It's the beginning of October for crying out loud," Mom's eyes widened. "You have until June to work on it. Why can't you make time to be with your brother, Cassidy?"

John stepped beside me. I felt already short being only 5'4" but he made me feel like a bug standing next to his 6 foot something body. "Mrs. Berwick, its fine. You don't have to worry about me. I also have to work on senior project, too."

Mom patted John's shoulder. "Are you sure?" he nodded. "Okay, then. I call both of you guys when it's time for dinner. One more thing; John, call me Sue, okay? You're family here, always remember that."

She left the backyard, leaving John and me standing there alone. I was going to leave until John held my hand.

"We need to talk," John advised.

I turned and crossed my arms. "About what?"

"Come on, Cass. Don't act all stupid around this topic."

"I'm not acting stupid around this topic," I yelled. "I get it. Now, I'm related to you and there's nothing I can do about it."

"Why do you hate me so much?" John glared at me. "I haven't done anything to you."

"I don't hate you, John. I hate this whole situation. I hate the fact that my dad cheated on my mom and how my mom is accepting this like it's no big deal. It is a big deal," I felt tears coming down my eyes. "You just don't understand because you're the one who is benefiting from all of this."

"How the hell am I benefiting from all of this? You're not the one who has the parent who left you because she has issues," he strikes back. "You're lucky, Cass. You don't know it. I would kill to have your life because you have parents who are always by your side when you need them and they will never leave you," John stormed out of the backyard while I was left speechless and guilty.

I wiped my tears off my face and walked inside the house. I tried to look like nothing happened out there until Mom saw me.

"Honey, is there something wrong?"

I shook my head and forced a small smile on my face. "No Mom, I'm fine. It's, it's just allergies," I continued walking up the stairs towards my room. John's bedroom door was open and he was on the computer, working on his proposal for his project. I didn't know if I should walk in his room and apologize or just wait for him to come to me. I walked inside his room.

John looked up from his laptop and saw me come in. "If you're here to annoy me on how much you hate your life, please leave the room."

"I'm not here to complain," I replied and he seemed shock about it since his eyes widened. "I'm here to apologize about what I said. I've been too selfish to realize that you're the one who's going through tough times here, not me," I sat down on his bed.

John closed his laptop and sat down next to me. "You're going through tough times, too. I guess I would react the same way if I were you."

"I think you are since now you found out that you have a half-sister who's a complainer. I think you're getting the short end of the stick here," I grinned.

He chuckled. "Yeah, that sucks," I playfully hit him on the arm. "Anyway, I accept your apology. I'm happy that we can actually get along."

"Me too," I smiled.