Queen II Barzal

Chapter Two: Tyler

 I tripped over Riley's hockey equipment again. Riley never puts away his things and it drives me crazy. I feel bad for Mom, though, Dad's always at hockey things and we're always home.

"Riley," My mom yelled. "What did I tell you about leaving out your hockey equipment?"

"I don't wanna play hockey anymore," My twin brother said which made my mom's heart sink.

"You're in the middle of the season, bud, your team needs you," My mom said.

"They don't even pass to me," Riley pouted.

"Without you, the team is down a player," Mom told him.

"They're just a bunch of seven-year-olds, they'll never even notice I'm gone," Riley said.

"What if I played hockey instead?" I asked. "I know how to skate and everything,"

My mom smiled at me but then it faded.

"I'll just have to talk to your dad when he gets home," She said. She looked back at Riley. "Go get ready for practice,"

"I don't wanna go to practice," Riley pouted.

"Can I go, mom?" I begged. "Please?"

"Maybe another time, sweetie," She pet my hair like I was a dog. "Riley, can you please get your gear on for hockey?"

"No," He crossed his arms.

"Riley Mathew Barzal, get ready now," My mom told him, firmly. "I'm not telling you again,"

"I'm home," My dad said as he came through the garage door.

"Daddy!" I ran up to him and gave him a hug. I could only hug his legs, though, because he's six feet tall and I'm barely four and a half.

"Hey, baby," He lifted me up and kissed my head. "Riles, you ready, man?"

"Your son refuses to go to practice," Mom told Dad.

"But I wanna go! Daddy, please?" I asked.

"Hold on, Princess," He put me down and talked to Riley.

"Hey, dude, why don't you wanna go to practice?" He asked Riley.

"Cause." He said, sitting on the floor.

Dad picked him up.

"You don't wanna be a hockey player like daddy?" He asked.

"I wanna play lacrosse like Stephen," Riley said.

Stephen is Riley's best friend in the entire first grade.

"Okay, I think I need to talk with mommy," Dad put him down. "Go play with Ty,"

Riley went to the playroom and my parents went to the kitchen. I decided to be a spy and eavesdrop on their conversation.

"How was practice, babe?" My mom asked my dad.

"It was alright," He told her. "We're looking good for tomorrow night's game, though,"

"Good," My mom said.

"So, what's up with Riley?" He asked.

"He said he doesn't wanna play anymore," Mom told him.

"Why not?" He asked.

"I don't know," My mom said. "He isn't giving it one hundred percent on the ice either,"

"So we should take him out of hockey?" Dad asked. "That team needs him, whether he's good or not,"

"Tyler said that she would take his place," My mom whispered.