Bro, I love your girlfriend...

"Thank you, Bobby," said Emily, and there was a gratitude in her voice that she couldn't put into words. "You mean so much to me. It's because of you that I haven't given up on Carlton yet, even though he's such an idiot," she suddenly added in a whisper. "It's because of a great brother like you that I'm still with him."

Bobby looked at her, slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Emily to say such things, especially about Carlton. His brother, as always, seemed so self-assured, a little arrogant and smug, but Emily spoke of him in a completely different way.

"Are you serious?" he asked, puzzled. "Are you really still with him just for me?"

Emily smiled, but it was a thin smile, as if there was more to it than she wanted to show.

"Well, not exactly just for you, of course," she replied with a slight grin. "But you're right, you're one of the reasons. Sometimes I think that if you weren't his brother, I definitely wouldn't be able to stand his constant jokes and his crazy confidence. But you... you're different. You listen, you understand. And even though I don't always show it, it means a lot to me that you're there."

Bobby felt strangely relieved. He wasn't sure why, but hearing Emily say that made him feel grown up, important somehow. He hadn't known he could be that much of a support system for her, but something about their relationship must have been important to Emily.

"Um, I..." he began, but suddenly felt his words get stuck in his throat.

He didn't want to sound like just a kid. He wanted to be someone who helps, who supports. But at the same time, he had a hard time finding the words that would express everything he wanted to say.

Emily watched him closely, her gaze softening and a shadow of that same warm understanding she had felt for him from the very beginning appearing on her lips.

"I don't want you to feel obligated, Bobby," she said softly, her voice almost weightless, as if every word was suffused with some hidden weight of meaning. "But you have no idea how much it means to me to have you here. I... honestly, I'm so tired of everyone expecting me to be perfect. I just want to be myself, to allow myself to make mistakes sometimes, and not have this heavy burden."

Bobby rubbed his eyes a little, trying to process everything she had just told him. He knew she was struggling, and these words were like an admission that she trusted him, that she wasn't hiding her feelings from him. It was more than he could have imagined.

"You don't have to be perfect," he said with determination in his voice, deciding that this time he wouldn't worry about his words. "I know it's hard sometimes, but you don't have to be perfect for me. You just have to be you. And I'll be here to listen, to help, any way I can."

Emily smiled again, this time for real, as if she felt like she could relax for the first time in a long time. She took a step back, leaned against the railing again, and looked at Bobby with a new light in her eyes.

"You don't understand how lucky I am to have you in my life, Bobby," she said quietly. "You're so real. Your brother means a lot to me, too, of course, but you, you listen. And I appreciate that more than you can imagine.

Bobby felt his heart skip a beat. At his age, such words were rare, and he couldn't help but feel how important it was to Emily that she could be open with him. He couldn't offer her anything better than to just be there, to listen to her, and not judge her.

"Emily, you... you are very important to me," he said quietly, feeling as if he was suddenly very confused, as if all the words he wanted to say had disappeared. "I... I love you... Like an older sister," the boy hastened to add.

Emily was silent for a long time. There was something strange in her eyes, a mixture of surprise and a soft smile, but it was all so gentle that Bobby felt his heart skip a beat.

"You... what?" she asked quietly, as if she couldn't believe her ears, although she tried not to show it.

Bobby felt his face instantly turn red. He quickly looked away to hide his embarrassment, but his voice was still firm, even if he was a little confused inside.

"I... I don't know how to say this..." his words still escaped, despite all his attempts to hold them back. "You... you're like an older sister to me. I owe you so much. You always listen to me, always support me, and I... I want you to be happy. It's just... I feel like I can't be indifferent."

Emily was silent for a long time, her gaze deepened, but there was no condemnation or surprise in it. Just some quiet understanding. She took a step forward and put her hand on his shoulder.

"You're so sweet, Bobby," she said, her voice calm, her words soft. "I know how you feel. You're important to me, too, and I'm proud to be around you. You're always so honest and open. That's important."

Bobby felt his shoulders relax a little, and his breathing ease. He didn't know what she was going to say, and he was really afraid of hearing something that would make his feelings even more complicated. But her words calmed him, giving him confidence.

"I just want you to know," he continued, nervously trying not to stumble over his words, "that I'll always be here for you. No matter how hard things get, I'm always here, even if you can't find the answers to your questions. You're not alone, Emily.

She smiled, and that smile was full of gratitude and warmth.

"I know," she replied, her hand still on his shoulder. "You're incredible. And you deserve the best, too. Your kindness and sincerity are what really matter, and I'm proud to call you a friend. A brother, even, if you like."

Bobby didn't know what to say. He felt everything inside him slowly calm down, and all he wanted was for these moments with Emily to never end. Suddenly he realized how important it was to have people like her in his life.