When I get home, I spot my mom and dad cuddled on the couch.

If anyone saw my parents right now, they'd think they're happily in love. But I know better.

The past couple months they've seemed to be in a rough patch. Still are. They are not loud when it comes to arguing or when they fight. I think that's to keep us kids from hearing, but I can tell when they've argued the night before because my mom will barely look at my dad in the morning and they'll share only one word responses.

I think it might be getting worse. A couple nights ago, I got out of bed, late at night for some water. When I walked downstairs, my dad was sleeping on the couch. Early in the morning he was gone for work and the couch looked untouched.

Peter and Angie aren't aware of all this and I plan to keep it that way. I just pray my parents still love each other and it's not as bad as it seems.

"Hey, Honey," my mom greeted me and my dad just looked back at me with a smile.

My parents are in their early 40s. My mom has light brown, naturally wavey hair like me if I grew my hair long enough. I also get my green eyes from her. My dad has brown eyes which my siblings, Angie and Peter share.

Unfortunately, my mom is a short 5'2 and my dad is barely above 5'9, so the chances of me growing taller than my already 5'8 is probably slim to none.

"Hey," I return.

My parents are watching yesterday's live stream of our church we go to every Sunday. We missed yesterday's service due to Angie's temper tantrum she threw making us all late. Angie is my five year old sister. And man can she throw a temper tantrum.

Luckily, our church does a live stream so people can watch it at home or some other time if they saved it. My father saves all of them. I stop and listen in for a moment. Priest Matthew is going on about the beauty of a marriage between husband and wife. How fitting.

"Why don't you sit down and watch with us?" My dad offers.

"Uh, I have homework, so I'm just gonna..." I trail off and nod upstairs instead.

Walking up the stairs I hear my mom call "Dinner at six!"

In my room, I set my backpack down by my desk and lay on my bed. I pull my phone from my pocket. No messages from Grayson. Why ask for my number and then not text me? Ugh, he's so agitating. Should I text him? Ew, no. That would be weird. Plus, why would I want to do that? But then again, if we're gonna have lunch and classes together, might as well be friends, right?

Not if he keeps hitting on me. My stomach flutters at just the thought. I should tell him we're strictly friends, nothing more.

I look up, breaking from my thoughts when my younger brother, Peter walks into my room. Without asking. I set my phone on my black nightstand. "Don't you knock?" I ask as I watch him shut the door behind him.

Peter shrugs. "You'll be okay."

I scoff and cross my arms, "What do you want?" I ask in a tone more harsh than needed.

Peter looks at me appalled, with his hand on his chest as if I offended him. "Why so grouchy?"

I sigh, "sorry. I just... it's been a weird day," I explain vaguely as I look over at my phone. Still no messages.

When I look back at my brother, he's giving me a confused look. "What happened?" He sits down on my gamer chair. I don't have the best set up, just a basic PC, no fancy lights streaming through the keyboard and mouse like Preston's set up.

"Nothing," I mutter.

Peter squints his eyes at me for a second before shrugging. "That's a lie, but anyway I need 20 dollars."

I give him an incredulous expression. "What? What for? Ask mom or dad."

"I can't because I'm also a terrible lier so if they ask me what it's for, they'll see right through me."

I narrow my eyes and sit up straighter. "What's it for?"

"Alcohol." He states, shrugging like it's no big deal.

"Alcohol?!" I exclaim.

As if motioning for my voice to be lower, Peter flaps his hands up and down at me, all the while harshly whispering, "Shut up!" to me. My brother looks at the door with a panicked expression. "I don't want mom and dad to hear, idiot" he explains and faces me again when the coast is clear.

"What do you need alcohol for?" I question in a quieter voice.

"Drinking, duh."

I roll my eyes, "I know, dipshit. I meant are you going somewhere or are you drinking alone like some alcoholic? If so, then I'm definitely telling mom and-"

"Okay, okay," Peter cuts me off. "I'm going over to my friends tonight and I kinda said that I'd bring alcohol."

"kinda?" I scoff. "How would you even buy it?"

Peter smirks, "With my fake ID," he whips out a plastic card from his wallet.

"Let me see," I reach over and yank it from my brothers hand before he has a say. The picture of my brother on the fake ID looks comical. His expression is overly serious. Does he think seriousness makes you older? I laugh sardonically, "you look like you're an angry twelve year old! That'll never pass. You know you can get aressted for that, right? Your permit? Gone."

My brother rolled his eyes at me and snatches his fake ID back. "I'm not stupid. That's why I'm going to that gas station across from Target. The guy who works night is like stoned all the time and doesn't check ID, so I probably won't even get checked."

I contemplate this. Peter is right. The guy who works at the Shell gas station by Target rarely even pays attention to who walks in. I know, because that's where Preston gets us alcohol with his fake. I know, I know, pot calling the kettle black, but this is my 16 year old brother we're talking about. If my parents found out I was involved, I'd be grounded for life.

I think of an idea. "I'll give you 20 if you cover for me on Thursday."

Peter crosses his arms. "What's Thursday?"

I state, "I'm going to a party."

"What? Who's?"

"Mind your business. Do we have a deal?"

"Make it 30." He says with a smirk

I scoff, shaking my head, "fuck no"

"How much do you want to go to this party?"

That shuts me up. How much do I want to go to Grayson's party? A lot. But maybe I shouldn't. I'll be spending time with Grayson. I'm not too sure if that's good for me. I can always not drink. Plus, it's a party which normally there's lots of people. Maybe I won't even see Grayson. He'll be too busy being the host of the party. Or maybe he'll find me and flirt with me.

"Fine, you bitch," I agree. I don't know what's wrong with me. Nonetheless, I reach for my wallet on my nightstand.

"Yesss! Thank you!" Peter exclaims happily then stands up.

"Whatever," I mutter, and hand him a 20 and a 10 dollar bill. "Just... be safe, okay? And don't be stupid. No drinking and driving. Call me if you have to."

Peter takes my money happily. "Yeah, yeah, yeah," he waves off my concerns before exiting my room... without closing the door.

"Close my door!" I shout, but get no response.

"Ugh! Stupid little sh-" my phone dings.

I grab it from my nightstand and it unlocks automatically with Face ID.

My stomach flops.

🥵

Today 11:42 AM

This is confused boy

Today 3:07 PM

🥵Hello confused

boy

A smile forms on my face. Finally. I probably shouldn't respond so quickly, right? But what if I don't reply until later and then he doesn't respond later? What if this is his only time to text? That's stupid, why wouldn't he have time?

I make up my mind and message Grayson back.

Idk if I want to

respond to that...

🥵 Why? You don't

like that name?

Not in the slightest

🥵Hm I thought you

would.

Think again

🥵Alright then

how bout "Lover" or "babe"

I blush at that and am stumped on what to respond.

No. Just Reid.

🥵 Fine. I put Reid🍆

I gasp and feel my face get hotter. An eggplant next to my name? What the Hell does that mean? Of course I know what it implies, but why put it? Ahhh

Don't put that!

🥵I was kidding!

I actually put Reid💦

🥵;)

You're annoying

Grayson just sent me a shrug emoji and I didn't know how to keep the conversation going. I'm so bad at this stuff. I'd rather talk in person.

Sighing, I put down my phone after exiting our messages and go to my desk. I should really get some homework done. Maybe I can ask Grayson if he did the psychology homework? No, that's stupid. Ugh! Why do I even want to text him? Stop thinking about him!!

Working on my homework helps for the most part to distract me from my dangerous thoughts about Grayson. Before I know it, me and my siblings are called down for dinner.

"Mom, dad, can I go to Marcus' house after I eat?" Peter asks after my family and I say grace.

"Did you finish all your homework?" My dad asks and my mother smiles like she's proud of my father's question.

"Yes and I did my chores" Peter answers smugly before shoving a fork-full of pasta in his mouth.

That shit-head, I watched him 'clean' our bathroom earlier and the most he did was wipe down the toilet. I keep quiet though. A deal is a deal.

"Then I don't see why not," dad goes on then looks at my mother for confirmation.

"I don't know. It's already past six and it's a school night."

"Right, and I was actually going to also ask..." Peter hesitates, probably knowing what he's about to say is a no-go. "Could I... possibly spend the night?" He finishes with a smile.

"No," my mom and dad say firmly.

"Wait! Just hear me out. Jeanie is okay with it," Jeanie is Marcus' mother and our mom's friend. I think they're in the same church group. "and we're not gonna stay up super late."

That's my brother's argument? Amateur.

My mother shakes her head while my dad scoffs then tells us, "I was born at night, but I wasn't born last night." When I tell you I've heard that phrase a million times from my father, I mean I've heard that phrase a million times!

My brother kicks my leg under the table. I look up from my food and Peter give me the help me look. "Uh, Marcus lives like a block away from the school, right? So you wouldn't have to worry about Peter being on time," I try to reason.

Peter has the most excited smile, "yes! He does live close! That's a good point."

My mother pinches the bridge of her nose and sighs. "You boys are-" she cuts herself short. "Fine. Go. But if I get a call from Jeanie about you two being reckless or skipping school, don't think this is happening again. And home right after school. You're excused."

"Thank you, thank you! Love you both!" Peter exclaims before grabbing his now empty plate to put it in the sink then rushes upstairs.

Good, now Peter can cover me for Thursday. That's if I even go to Grayson's lame party. We'll see.

**********