I never liked my name. It always felt so out of place, so awkward. Why on earth did my parents choose something so... ugly? Not that I’ll ever ask them. They already have their hands full with three teenage sons, and I don’t want to add more trouble to the mix.
We’re a family of four siblings – me and three older brothers. Tyler, the oldest at 18, is just... cool. He’s got that effortless magnetism, the one that makes everyone notice him. My parents may not exactly think of him as their “golden child,” but they can’t help but admire his confidence.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgaQiI8U1F
He’s the one everyone at school talks about, the one who’s always in the middle of every conversation. Tyler’s popularity will definitely be missed next year when he heads off to college.
Liam (Leo) and Ethan, both 17, have their own fan clubs and practically rule the school together. My parents don’t know exactly what to do with them – they’re not bad kids, but they’re troublemakers, always getting into some sort of ridiculous fight or challenge.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5cQ01fa7XL
And trust me, Leo and Ethan? They’ll leave a hole behind too, mainly because of their famous "battle circle" where they’d challenge everyone – boys and girls alike – to all sorts of ridiculous fights. They were untouchable.
And then there's me, Cha-yeon, the youngest, stuck with the weirdest name in the family. I'm the quiet one, the one who spends her time alone, avoiding the drama, and just finding comfort in music. It’s the only thing that helps me forget how out of place I feel.
But honestly, it’s not like anyone cares. My parents are so focused on Tyler that it’s like I don’t even exist sometimes. They’ll talk about his latest adventure or how cool he is, but they barely even notice what I’m up to. They don’t know what to do with Leo and Ethan, but at least they’re seen.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmfrsv0GMHp
As for me? I’m invisible. It’s not that they don’t love me – I know they do, but the noise of the three older boys leaves no room for me.
"Che? Why do you keep mumbling your name over and over again? I thought you hated it?" Leo's voice suddenly breaks through my thoughts, making me jump. I blink, realizing I’ve been lost in my own world again.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6etdY4vFL
Oh right… there’s something called "the real world," and, honestly, it sucks.
"Is everything good, Cha-yeon?" Leo puts a hand on my shoulder, but I quickly shake it off. "Don’t," I say, my voice low and frustrated. "Call me by my real name. We agreed on 'Che.' Okay? Or not? I don’t care anymore." I turn away and slump into my seat at the dinner table, next to Ethan and Tyler.
Yeah, I have issues with my name, but it's not just some act of self-pity. Growing up with three older brothers, I never had the luxury of indulging in that. If I did, they’d knock me down faster than I could blink.
The moment my dad stands up from his chair, the whole room quiets down. I can feel the tension build. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Tyler shifting uncomfortably in his chair.41Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeHbXerd4Yj
What's his problem? Why does he look so weird all of a sudden?
"Dear family," my dad starts, his voice proud and steady. "Your mother and I are happy to inform you that Tyler—" He pauses and glances at Tyler with this look that can only be described as pure admiration. It’s the kind of look you give your most beloved son. Or at least, that’s what I think. "—passed the SAT exams and will be attending Stanford at the beginning of the next semester!"
Tyler’s smile is wide and completely genuine, lighting up his entire face. I can’t even remember the last time I smiled like that—maybe it was before the endless bullying, before they made fun of my name, my looks, and the way I dress.
I’ll never forgive Kylie. She’s the head of the pack, the queen bee of the school, and her gang of minions is always by her side. They made my life hell—ripping out my long, straight red hair, and destroying my clothes. It felt like they were out to ruin me for no reason at all.
Of course, my older brothers were there, as they always are. More than once, they stepped in and had her gang running scared. And I can’t lie, it was pretty fun to watch Kylie blush whenever they put her in her place. Everyone knows she has a thing for all three of them, and it’s something we joke about a lot, especially during our movie nights.
But my thoughts are interrupted when Tyler pulls me into a hug, and without even thinking, my arms wrap around him, holding on tight. It’s the kind of hug only the Lee family knows how to give—strong and full of love.
He pulls away, and I watch him go to pack his things. He’s about to start a new chapter in his life, one that’s separate from ours. He’s going to succeed, like he always does.
I close my eyes, feeling the weight of it all, and ask God – why does everyone else’s life seem so much easier than mine?
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