|Tambov, Russia|

Maria and I have never gotten along. It may seem like I'm exaggerating, but I have a strong feeling that she hates every hair on my head, and every cell in my body and I have to admit that I feel the same way about her too. Which is why I don't understand why father paired us up for the next mission. Earlier today, in our sparring lesson, I could feel her deadly stare pierce through my skin. I've never felt so much uneasiness in my entire life, and it followed me until I got to my bedroom. I was dreading every second, until the day of our mission and being paired with Maria made it a million times worse.

Thousands of statements flooded my mind and I begin to grow nervous until I heard a quiet voice at my door. "Dylan"? They said I knew that voice from anywhere. It was Olivia.  I quickly open the door and she hurried inside. "Olivia, is everything okay"? I asked her. She looked at the floor. "I heard that father paired you and Maria up for an assignment". She said. "Oh that". I sighed.

If anyone else knows about my extreme hatred for Maria, it's Olivia. She knows that I would rather have the mission all to myself, so that I won't have to deal with Maria constantly trying to one-up me, just so she can tell father all about it.

I like to assume that he only gets amused when it's something involving my eldest siblings, especially Maria. According to him,  she is his best "creation" out of all four of us. She never talks back,  or defies him, and always gets the job done. It's excruciatingly painful seeing them both in the same room,  as father continuously complements her in ways that make my hatred for her even greater than before.

"Will you be okay"? Olivia asked. "Of course". I said to her grabbing her shoulders gently. "I know that things will be a little dangerous when I'm gone with Maria". I continued. "But whatever you do,  stay away from father". I whispered. "Do you understand"? I asked. Olivia nodded.

Even though father may not favor me, he knows me better than I know myself he knows what makes me smile, what makes me mad, my strengths, and especially my weaknesses. He knows that I will protect Olivia with my life and he knows what I do for her. But if anything were to happen to Olivia because of Father, I will make him pay and I will make sure that my face is the last thing he sees when he takes his final breath. I closed the door shut as Olivia walked out and begin to look at the files the father left for me.

A few days later, it was time for Maria and I to depart and father had to call the both of us to his office to discuss our plan. I walked down the hallway towards his office and turned the corner, only to see Maria waiting for me. "Dylan". She nodded. "Maria". I said back.

I continued walking as she begins to walk with me. "You seem nervous". She said. I continued to walk not saying a word. "You don't have to be so rude, Dylan". She said in an angry tone. "Until you act like a real sister, don't talk to me". I said sharply. "Oh wow really mature". She said.  sarcastically. I started to ignore her as we got to the door of father's office.  I was about to twist the knob, until I felt Maria grab my hand and turn me around to face her.

"Let's get one thing straight". She said in the sharp whisper. "If you mess this mission up for me you're done for". She said angrily. "I won't stand for your constant nagging you hear me"?! She continued. "If we do good on this mission, father will finally see how well of a leader I can be, so I'm only going to say this once". She said. "Don't ruin this for me". "Or I will make sure you and Olivia suffer".