Go After Your Sister To Make Sure She'll Follow Your Rules

You meet your sister at the door, her shoes now placed on her feet, and she beams at you, still clearly very happy to have been chosen. You place your hand on her shoulder, over the smooth fabric of her dress, and feel her strong, thin shoulder beneath your hand.

"I was being serious, Nel," you say. "If you mess around someone is going to get hurt, and it might be you."

"It's sweet that you're worried about me," she says, sticking out her tongue again, "but I'll be fine. C'mon, I've handled meaner monsters than this for homework. "

"It's not about that," you say. "It's about trust. I need to know I can trust you to do anything I ask."

"What are you asking from me? A test or something?" She rolls her eyes, crossing her arms in front of her chest.

"Yes," you say.