Disturbed

Chapter Thirty-One :

The family were finishing up dinner as they sat at the dinner table, and tried to get to know Brantley better. Brantley was very grateful for everything, but noticed he hadn't bring any extra set of clothes.

Brantley : I just realized that I didn't bring anything to sleep in.
Asher : If you'd like, you can borrow some of mine. I'm sure we're the same size.
Brantley : Okay great, thanks.
Hazel : I hoped you liked dinner.
Brantley : Are you kidding me? I loved it. You're an excellent cook. I appreciate all of you guys.
Rodolfo : We are happy to have you. It's starting to get late, just know that Asher has his own restroom so feel free to use it. I don't mind you both playing video games all night long, just please keep the sound to a minimum.
Brantley : Okay sure thing, dad.
Asher : Hey Brantley, want to see my pet hamster?
Brantley : You have a hamster?! Oh my god, yes!
Rodolfo : You both have fun. Goodnight.
Asher : Night.
Brantley : Night dad, love you.

Brantley smiles as he catches himself saying that to Rodolfo. Hazel smiles and hugs Rodolfo tight, she notices him wanting to cry and whispers,

Hazel : He called you dad.
Rodolfo : He called me dad. He loves me.
Hazel : I like him, I hope he stays longer.
Rodolfo : Me too. We should get headed to bed babe.
Hazel : Let's go, lumberjack.

Rodolfo smirks as he picks Hazel up and she giggles and feels his hands around her. They both go into their room, as Rodolfo lays her down on the bed and shuts the door behind him.
Brantley and Asher both walk inside the bedroom as Brantley immediately notices the small, chubby hamster in the cage. Asher smiles as he opens the cage, and hands the hamster to his brother.

Brantley : So cute! Is it a he or she?
Asher : He's a he. His name is Nuggies.
Brantley : Nuggies?
Asher : Yeah hehe. He's so tan and brown, he reminds me of that one video on the internet.
Brantley : What video?
Asher : The one with the little boy saying how he loves himself-
Brantley : Even though he looks like a burnt chicken nugget? Yeah, haha!

They both laugh as Asher turns on the tv, and turns his game console on. Brantley pets the hamster and gives him back to Asher. Asher then gently puts him back into his cage. They both sit on the bed as Asher hands him a controller remote,

Asher : So, why exactly did you come here?
Brantley : To be honest, my mom got herself checked into rehab. So hopefully she's getting the help she needs. I want her to better herself.
Asher : Oh, Brantley. I'm sorry I didn't know.
Brantley : It's okay, you didn't know. Actually, the only ones who know are your parents and Mr. Roster.
Asher : Toby's dad?
Brantley : Yeah. Apparently him and my mom used to be best friends in the past. They did drugs together and all that bad stuff. It's kind of amazing to see how he looks out for my mom. He's sober now and he's actually the one, who helped my mom get checked into rehab.
Asher : Wow, that's incredible. They were both on the wrong path, but now they're heading towards the right path. I hope you can get some closure with all of this, Brantley. I know it took a lot of courage and bravery to walk all the way over here.
Brantley : Yeah, hehe. I actually almost turned around when I knocked.
Asher : What stopped you?
Brantley : Your mother, she opened the door before I could even leave.

They both laugh as Asher selects a video game and puts on a racing game. Asher turns the volume down, so it won't be a disruption for his parents. Brantley takes his phone and notices a couple of missed phone calls from Toby. He then makes a weird face and grabs the remote controller.

Brantley : I need to ask you something.
Asher : Okay
Brantley : But I really need you to tell me the truth.
Asher : Okay, what's up?
Brantley : Before my mom left, she told me something funny. Weird, almost.
Asher : What did she say?
Brantley : She um, said Toby likes me?

Brantley begins to laugh as Asher's face twitches, and then begins to chuckle nervously. Asher faces the television and avoids eye contact with Brantley, as he then hums softly.

Brantley : It's not true. Right?
Asher : Hm?
Brantley : Ash?
Asher : Y-Yeah?
Brantley : Is it true?
Asher : I.. I honestly don't know. I don't pay attention to your love life. I only pay attention to mine, O'Shay. He's really handsome and such a hung-
Brantley : Oh god. Yeah I know. I've been on that rollercoaster before, remember?
Asher : Oh yeah. I sometimes forget y'all both dated. I wonder if that's weird for him.
Brantley : Yeah, I wonder that too- Wait a second, no. You're changing the subject.
Asher : Brantley I'm serious. I don't know if he likes you. He was flirting hard with that waitress when we went to that restaurant. The only person who knows the answer to your question, is the man himself. Tonight, I'm gonna beat your ass at this race so let's just have fun.

Brantley makes a mocking face towards Asher and smiles. Asher then starts the game as Brantley borrows Asher's phone charger to charge his own phone. The brothers both proceed to start the race, as Brantley looks over at his brother smiling.
Later that night, it was getting closer to two in the morning while the brothers had moved onto a different video game. Both Asher and Brantley were exhausted as they decided to call it a night.

Brantley : Do you got any clothes I can borrow?
Asher : I got some shorts and a t-shirt you can use if you'd like?
Brantley : Sure, thanks.
Asher : These shorts should fit well and well, just ignore that stain on the T-shirt.
Brantley : Asher, I swear to god. This shirt better not be your "cum rag".
Asher : It's not!
Brantley : Okay good.
Asher : It's being washed at the moment.

Brantley scoffs and rolls his eyes, as he laughs and shakes his head. Brantley then changes into the clothes as Asher grabs another blanket, from his closet as he sets a pillow down on the floor. Brantley looks back confused and notices Asher laying on the floor,

Brantley : Wh-What are you doing?
Asher : I'm about to sleep?
Brantley : No, I know that.
Asher : Okay? Why ask?
Brantley : No, smart ass. I meant, why are you going to sleep on the floor?
Asher : Oh. You can take my bed.
Brantley : No, it's okay. I can take the floor. It's your home.
Asher : True, but you're the guest. You take my bed.
Brantley : You sure?
Asher : Yeah. Trust me, just take the bed.
Brantley : Alrighty.

Brantley gets in the bed as Asher gets comfortable, laying on the floor. Brantley stares at the ceiling as he then begins to smile peacefully, he smiles widely and begins to think to himself,

{So this is it. Never would I ever think I would be sleeping in my brothers bed, in the same house my dad lives in. Am I dreaming? Is this all a joke? I wonder if mom is doing okay. Would she approve of this? I mean, she did say that my dad would keep an eye out on me. Did she knew I would end up here? Is it bad that I'm jealous of Asher? I'm jealous of him having a great life? Toby. Does he like me? I don't know. It never occurred to me. I don't think he likes me. He's like a brother to me. I mean I'm not going to lie, I used to have a huge crush on him when I first met him. After we became best friends, my feelings for him just went away. He likes Marisol. She seems like a nice girl. Maybe I should just go to sleep. I wonder if there are more secrets anyone is keeping from me.}