My (16M) dad recently took me and my brother (22M) to a short vacation in the Dominican Republic. I was fairly neutral about the idea of the trip because I generally don't like beaches but I went with an open mind to try to have a good time. The issue is that there is this girl called Emily (18F) that goes to my school. I really like her but I have never talked to her directly. I have tried many times but never found the perfect moment. One particular thing I have learned about Emily by following her social media is that she really likes turtles. They are clealy her favourite animal. She is an artist and she usually post drawings of turtles she makes.
During our trip, I saw many turtles on the beach and that made me think of her even more than usual. There were a lot of turtle themed items at the gift shops and I decided to buy a small turtle keychain that looked really aesthetic. It was impulsive purchase but my idea was giving it to Emily once I go back to school. I just felt that the whole turtle thing must have been some sort of sign. I wasn't sure if I was going to find the courage to actually give it to her but I was feeling unusally motivated about that idea.
When I was unpacking, I couldn't find the turtle in my luggage nor in my dad's. I called my brother and he explained to me that he took it out when I was not looking and threw it in the trash at the airport. He says that me bringing a gift from an international trip for a girl that I don't really know would be perceived badly by her and others, making me look like a weird stalker. Specially because the meaning behind it is based of informarion about her that I only know because of her social media and not by her telling me about it.
He insists he did it in order to protect me and that I will thank him some day. My brother is usually the coolest guy and I would be generally open to his advice, as he is very experienced with women, but I think he is wrong about this one and his actions make me very angry. I think he feels a little bad for what he did but he hasn't really apologise. I have been avoiding talking to him when he is at our home and mostly not answering when he calls or texts me. My dad doesn't understand why we are fighting but I don't want to tell him as it would be too embarrassing for me. My brother thinks I am overreacting and being too childish.
Am I the Asshole?