Oh I just meant if the brother stayed in school, he would hypothetically be in 3rd year, just in order put their different life stages (high school vs working adult) into perspective.
I guess through dropping out and sustaining a job at his age makes him pretty mature for his age I guess so it's not as bad?
In my country we usually finish college at around 18 or 19 so having a relationship with someone in the mid 20's isn't really strange. Maybe you just met awful people in that age. Sorry if U sound rude, I'm not trying to be one.
Also, if basing in this story, the older brother's soon to be love interest seems to be mature enough to know what to do and what not to do. Even if he feels something for the older brother, he's not acting on it because he knows the other person is still young.
Lastly, I'm sorry you've encountered awful people but please don't generalize everyone that's on the same age. Love does not know age. So whether be it someone older falling for someone younger or vice versa, if love is true then it doesn't /shouldn't really matter. I hope you don't make other people think the same way. It's okay to be wary of things and voicing your opinion, but keep in mind that those things that happened to you doesn't necessarily mean it will happen to other people as well.

Am I the only one raising an eyebrow at the older brother's (to-be?) relationship?
Don't get me wrong, a 6 year age difference once they're all older wouldn't be that big of a deal but he's only 18 right now and (iirc) if he remained in school, he'd only be in his final year of highschool whilst his potential love interest would've been well finished with university and already working a job. I just feel like it's strange and almost kinda concerning for a 24 year old adult to develop feelings for an 18 year old, I can't imagine being interested in a teenager at 24.
But then again this is fiction so I guess this kind of stuff doesn't really apply... and story-wise, the older dude is purposefully portrayed in a kind light and doesn't seem to have any ulterior motives rn so am I just overreacting?? Maybe I'm just projecting my own bad experiences with older boyfriends when I was that age thinking I was so "cool" and "mature" haha.
Btw, if there's any teens reading this, please be wary when adults quite a bit older than you express interest in you. While it could very well be genuine, chances are they're only trying to get with you because no one their age is interested in them (usually for maturity reasons), because they want to be in control or for some kind of ego boost of "scoring" a young person.
Be careful y'all.