My mom had forced me to a fair share of awkward meals so I had deviced a method to survive through them. I would keep my head down, eat quietly, only speak when spoken to and most important of all, never try to upstage Matthew for whatever reason. He was the golden child and would always remain that way.

I hated how my mom had me change my shirt just before we left the house. I had been wearing blue jeans and a white long sleeved button down. It was per her request to wear something appropriate away from the comfort of my hoodies. She asked me to change because Matthew was wearing basically the same thing making us look more alike than usual. If she could have her way we wouldn't have the same face or better yet I wouldn't have been born. I was totally with her on the latter but I quite liked living even if it was a miserable existence. I had the ability to change that and was holding on for a little while longer.

I had changed into a short sleeved black shirt to make her happy. Her approving look when I walked into the dining room showed that I'd pleased her. The lunch with our neighbors, the Millers was one of the most awkward I had been to. I kept to myself as usual but took my time to observe the hosting family. Robert and Pamela didn't look as in love as newly weds should have been. Robert looked in love with his wife from the way he was looking at her but Pamela didn't look like a woman in love as she wasn't even paying attention to him at all. It was also very clear that Pamela was substantially younger than Robert but I didn't try to read too much into that. It was none of my business.

She definitely didn't look old enough to have a teenage daughter, they would have passed for sisters so maybe she had Willow as a teenager. And yes my brother's latest obsession was called Willow. Now that I had a chance to see her up close I could definitely see why my brother was crazy about her. She was exquisite. I was crushing hard too but I would never dare go against my brother so I would just keep my feelings to myself.

She was also very close to her brother seeing as how she was attending to him throughout the meal. Charlie was an adorable kid, I didn't know what exactly was wrong with him that he needed to be in a wheelchair but I wasn't insensitive enough to ask. But apparently my brother Matthew was.

"So Charlie how long have you been in a wheelchair and what happened?"He asked like a news reporter asking for an accident report.

I almost kicked him under the table for being so clueless. The whole table went silent as they turned to Charlie for an answer. Matthew needed to learn some manners, you didn't just put a seven year old on the spot like that. Charlie looked like a deer caught in head lights while Willow looked just about ready to murder my brother.

"He was born that way. He has Congenital scoliosis."Willow replied on his brothers behalf.

Matthew looked like he wanted to ask more but the glaring look he got from Willow shut him right up. I was falling harder for the girl, no one ever stood up to my brother so it was nice to see him put in his place for once. It was fascinating to watch.

Willow and I accidentally locked gazes and her eyes bore to mine as if she was trying to solve a mystery. There was nothing to decipher, I was just plain old boring me. She was the puzzle though, a gorgeous one at that. Unable to hold her gaze for too long I broke eye contact and focused on my food.

"So Matthew your dad tells us that you are the football captain at Maple Ridge Highschool."Robert asked and that was the conversation for the next ten minutes as my brother talked about himself.

"Why aren't you on the team Matthias, you are certainly built for it and its in your blood?"Robert inquired.

I wanted to scream that my name wasn't Matthias but I didn't. I hated that name but there was no need to blow up on an innocent man, he didn't deserve it. I disliked how the conversation turned to me but I had expected it though. I had so many ways to answer that question having been asked so many times but it was never the real reason. I hated anything to do with my family so I wouldn't dare do anything that would bring them more fame. I hated football anyway but nobody needed to know that.

"There's only room for one star in the family and Matthew has taken that role quite perfectly. And besides I'm afraid I'd steal the spotlight from Matthew and he can be quite the cry baby when that happens."I concluded with a laugh.

Everyone else joined in except for my mom and Matthew. They faked their laughs as they both glared at me. I didn't care though, it had felt good jabbing back at them. The Millers didn't get it though and thought I had been joking. That was the only thing I said during lunch and it was more than enough.

"Willow will be joining Maple Ridge as of tomorrow. You boys will look out for her won't you?"Pamela asked looking at the both of us.

"I don't need anyone looking after me."Willow mumbled.

"Of course not dear but it would be nice to have some friends."Pamela insisted.

"We'll take care of her Mrs. Miller."Matthew promised his words thick with double meaning.

It disgusted me but there was nothing I could do if my brother had already set his eyes on her. Willow didn't looked too pleased about my brother's response but she didn't as anything against it.

The rest of lunch went by interrupted as the parents engrossed in adult talk. Matthew kept trying to get Willow's attention but she ignored him and concentrated on her brother. I just sat there and watched it all.

Willow's relationship with Charlie made me envious. I wished I had such a close relationship with my brother but he was a prick from birth so that had never happened and probably never will.

As we had dessert I watched Willow share half of hers with Charlie who definitely should not have been having that much sugar but I didn't say anything.

My dad got an 'emergency' phone call just as we all finished eating. It was his way of saying enough was enough and we should head back home.

The Millers ushered us out and we stood awkwardly by the door saying goodbye.

"It was nice having you over, thank you for coming."Pamela expressed as she hugged my mom.

"Pleasure darling, you have a lovely home and an amazing family. Thank you for having us."My mom responded and for once she didn't seem like she was faking it.

She and Pamela had gotten along like a house on fire. My mom would probably be inviting her to the club where she would initiate her into the glorified housewife club as I called it.

Willow and I were standing next to each other in the hallway but none of us said anything to each other as everyone else said goodbye. I had the chance to compare our heights and she was a head shorter than me even with her boots. I wanted to say something, anything but my fogged brain couldn't come up with anything sensible so we just stood wordlessly next to each other.

"We'll talk more Pam. See you another time kids, Robert."My mom waved as she walked out the door.

I was last in line so I just awkwardly waved to everyone and followed my family back home.

Immediately we got back home my mom asked for a bottle of wine and a glass as she walked into the living room.

"Well that wasn't a total disaster. I quite like Pamela and her family. Poor Charlie, the pain he must be in. I should invite her to the club, don't you think so Hunter?"My mom asked dad.

"Sure darling."He agreed absentmindedly earning himself an eye roll from my mom.

"I'm going to the office."My dad announced searching for his car keys.

"I thought the emergency was just a ruse to get out of there."My mom asked.

"It was but it just turned real."My dad replied.

He kissed my mom's cheek, said his goodbyes and was gone.

"I am leaving too. There's a party at Nolan's house and I'm not missing it."Matthew announced.

"You have school tomorrow, no parties."My mom declared.

"Exactly why I should go. It's the last party before school starts again. See you later mom, I love you."He shouted already halfway out the door.

"I assume you're going too?"My mom inquired looking at me.

I nodded and got up from the sofa heading up to my room to change. I was not going to the party, hated those, they were too noisy for my liking. I was going to the Arcade for some last minute fun before school. Senior year was going to be much more demanding and I didn't know my schedule or if I'd make time to be going there.

Jack was alone as usual bent over the counter looking through a big book with a calculator and pen in hand. He was talking to himself which was not weird, Jack was always talking to himself. What was strange was that he was frowning and cussing. For as long as I'd known Jack he was a cheerful guy, even while dealing with hot headed kids he always managed to keep his cool. I wondered what was causing him to look so stressed.

"Hi Jack."I greeted.

The poor man nearly fell off his seat in surprise. He looked up at me eyes wide with his hand clasped over his chest.

"Blimey me kid. Are you trying to give me a heart attack?"He choked out trying to control his breath.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you."I apologized.

Jack took a few calming breaths before finally addressing me directly.

"It's not your fault. I just got too engrossed in the finances of this place so I didn't hear you come in."He replied.

Jack really looked stressed and he was one of the few humans I liked so seeing him so down did not sit well with me.

"Anything I can do to help?"I offered.

"Thanks kid but I don't think so unless you can find a way to keep me from sinking further into debt. At this rate I'll be forced to close down in a month."He explained.

I wouldn't have cared about any other place closing down but the arcade had a special place in my heart. Hearing that it would be no more soon hurt me more than I liked to admit. I looked around thinking of all the great memories I'd made with Jack, a few of the other nerdy kids who loved vintage games as much as I did, reading comics to the younger kids and all the high scores I had. They would all fade away if I didn't find a way to help Jack out.

"I need more customers but you my friend are my only regular. This place just isn't making money anymore."Jack expounded interrupting my train of thought.

"Maybe what you need is a pair of fresh eyes. Someone to help you spice up the place so it can appeal to more people."I suggested.

Jack thought about it for a minute before his eyes lit up with their usual spark.

"That's brilliant kid. How about I hire you? You love this place as much as I do. How would you like to work for me to make this place better?"Jack offered with a hopeful tone in his voice.

The idea of working at the arcade was fun but I liked playing the games not watching other people play them.

"Thanks but I can't. You know I'm not a people person."I declined.

Jack demeanor deflated from my rejection but I would not have been much help to him.

"You're right. Maybe I should put up posters for a job offer."Jack proposed.

"That's not a bad idea."I concurred.

"Or I could just hire Willow. She was looking for a job the other day. She's a nice kid, looks like a hard worker. Do you think she found a job yet?"Jack asked.

He wanted to hire Willow?! She would be at the arcade everyday if he hired her. It meant I had to see her at school and at my favorite place. Would I be able to deal with that?

"I'm not sure?"I replied honestly.

"Can you ask her for me? I know you guys are going to the same school. Ask her tomorrow and if she hasn't found a job yet, tell her to come around after school."Jack requested.

I was about to say no when his phone rang. He excused himself and left me alone to pick the call. I didn't want to talk to Willow. I had managed to avoid her during lunch yet Jack was asking me to talk to her at school. She hadn't even paid attention to me either so she would probably overlook me and not want to talk.

Needing a distraction I walked towards the nearest game, dropped a few coins in the machine and proceeded to beat my own high score. A few hours later when my fingers felt like they would fall off I decided to call it a day.

"Night Jack, see you tomorrow, hopefully."I said on my way out.

"See you kid. Don't forget to talk to Willow for me."He reminded me.

"Okay."I yelled back already halfway out the door.

He just had to remind me about what awaited me the next day. It was too much pressure for my first day back but for the sake of saving the arcade I'd shove down my insecurities and talk to her.

When I got home, I went directly to my room to take a shower. After changing into a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt I put on my headphones, blasted some music and sat on my computer to work on my ticket away form my parents tyranny. Ever since I got my first computer I had been obsessed with coding. I had made a few apps and games for fun but never anything for sale. For the last few months however I had been working on a new game that would be my salvation. I would make the game of the century, sell it and use the money to get myself out of crescent. It was the perfect plan and I couldn't wait for it to pan out.