The Flood - Sasha

It had been raining for days. The hurricane that hit the coast left everything soaked, and the constant sound of rain against the windows had become background noise. You were half-watching TV, half scrolling on your phone, when you heard your mother gasp from the other room.

A short, worried conversation followed. You caught pieces of it.

StepMom: “Flooded? The whole first floor? Oh my god, Stefani…”

A pause.

StepMom: “No, of course not. Don’t even ask that. You’re coming here. Both of you.”

Another pause, then a long sigh of relief.

StepMom: “Two weeks, or however long it takes. Don’t argue with me. Just pack what you can and come.”

A few minutes later she walked into the living room and sat beside you. Her face was tight with concern. You straightened up immediately.

StepMom:“I just spoke with your Stepaunt Stefani. The town flooded badly. Their house is completely soaked… almost nothing was saved except for a few clothes. She and Sasha are coming tomorrow. They’ll stay with us until the place is fixed. Two weeks, maybe longer if needed.”

Your lovely Stepaunt Stefani… and Sasha.

You hadn’t seen your Stepcousin in years. She was always “too busy” for family gatherings. Her social media was full of the same energy, bratty captions, party photos, and posts about how lame everyone else was. Having her under the same roof for weeks was going to be rough.

Your Stepmother gave you a tired smile.

StepMom: “I know that look. Just… try to be patient with Sasha, okay? And help me make them feel welcome.”

The next morning your Stepmother woke you early.

StepMom: “Come on, up. We need to get the guest room ready before they arrive.”

Together you rearranged furniture, changed the sheets, cleared closet space, and made sure there were clean towels. It looked cozy and big enough for two women… at least that was the plan.

A couple of hours later a car pulled up outside. Your Stepmother was already at the door before the engine even stopped.

Stefani stepped out first. She looked tired but still put-together in her tight white top and purple cardigan, her black hair in its usual neat bun. Behind her, Sasha climbed out of the passenger seat in a black tank top and tiny denim shorts, phone already in her hand.

Mom: “Stefani!”

your Stepmother pulled her into a tight hug.

Mom: “I’m so glad you’re both safe. Come here, let me look at you. You must be exhausted.”

Stefani hugged her back tightly, voice soft and a little shaky.

Stefani: “Thank you so much for this, really. I didn’t know where else to go. I feel terrible showing up like this with almost nothing.”

StepMom: “Stop that right now. You’re my sister. This is your home for as long as you need. No arguments.”

Stefani gave a small, grateful smile, then glanced at you.

Stefani: “And thank you too for helping. I know this is sudden.”

Sasha barely looked up from her phone.

Sasha: “Hey.”

That was all she offered.

Your mother turned to her with a warmer but slightly pointed tone.

Mom: “Sasha, honey, come give your Stepaunt a hug at least.”

Sasha stepped forward, gave the quickest side-hug possible, then went right back to her screen.

Sasha:“Yeah. Hi.”

Lunch was a study in contrasts.

Stefani kept thanking your Stepmother between bites.

Stefani:“This is really good… thank you again for cooking. I can help with dinner later, please let me. I don’t want to just sit around.”

She looked embarrassed every time she reached for more food, like she was taking too much. Her soft green eyes kept glancing at you with quiet appreciation.

Sasha, on the other hand, acted like she already lived here. She sat with one leg crossed under her, scrolling, and only spoke when she wanted something.

Sasha: “Pass the juice.” … Sasha:“Is there hot sauce?” … Sasha:“Whatever.”

No thank-yous. No small talk.

After lunch your Stepmother showed them the guest room.

Mom: “I made up the bed with the nicer sheets. There’s space in the closet and the dresser is empty for you both. Bathroom is right across the hall.”

Stefani stepped inside and looked around, clearly touched.

Stefani: “It’s perfect. Really. Thank you both so much for doing all this on such short notice.”

She set down the two small suitcases she had managed to save from the flood and began unpacking carefully.

Stefani: “I’ll try not to take up too much space.”

Sasha gave the room a single unimpressed glance, then turned and walked straight down the hall toward your bedroom without a word.

You followed.

By the time you reached the doorway she was already inside, dumping her bag on your bed and shoving your things to the side of the desk. She looked up when you stepped in, then casually tossed a pillow and a folded blanket at your chest.

Sasha:“There. Couch is that way.” She waved a hand dismissively. “Sharing a room at this age is so lame. I’m not doing the whole ‘let’s be roommates’ thing. You can deal.”

You opened your mouth to answer, but your Stepmother’s voice called from the hallway.

Mom: “Honey? Can you come help your Stepaunt with the rest of the bags? They’re still in the car.”

You left Sasha already rearranging your desk like she had lived there for years. Dinner was more of the same.

Sasha filled her plate without waiting, muttered “Taking this to the room,” and disappeared down the hall. The door shut firmly behind her.

Stefani watched her go, then turned to you and your Stepmother with an apologetic smile, her voice soft.

Stefani: “I’m so sorry about her. She’s… adjusting. I know she’s being difficult. Thank you again for letting us stay. I really mean it. If there’s anything I can do to make this easier, just tell me.”

The house settled into an uneasy quiet as the rain continued outside.

You decided to try one more time. You walked to your own bedroom door and knocked twice.

After a few seconds Sasha opened it. She was already in a different smaller black tank top, sitting cross legged on your bed with her phone in one hand.

Sasha: “What?”

she asked flatly.

You told her this was still your room and that you needed to sleep in your own bed tonight.

She stared at you for a second, then let out a short, dry laugh.

Sasha: “Yeah… no. I’m already settled. My stuff is everywhere. Couch is free.”

She pointed past you with her chin.

Sasha: “You’re a grown man. You’ll survive a couple weeks on the couch. Close the door on your way out.”

When you didn’t move right away, she raised an eyebrow.

Sasha:“Was there something else, or…?”

The door shut in your face a moment later.

You ended up on the living-room couch with the pillow and blanket she had thrown at you earlier, staring at the ceiling while the rain kept falling outside.