Genius Rivals (Ongoing)

10 - THE QUESTION THAT MIRRORS HIM

"VIRGIL! WAKE YOUR LAZY ASS UP! YOU HAVE TO GO TO GROCERY TODAY!"

Mom's shout electrified my morning. Making me stand up instantly and eagerly. I had a late midnight gaming session as I want to play the games I can't access due to my busy schedule. Last night was my chance. My eyes are heavy and baggy. My body is stiff and low battery. Remember what they say about sleeping? About how it replenishes energy and motivates you for the day ahead? Yeah, that was a lie.

I checked my phone. It is now 9:12 of the morning. Mom always prohibited me from waking up at almost noontime. But I'm a rebellious teen. I feel so badass doing the opposite of what she says. She can't control me anymore because I have my own thinking.

"DON'T MAKE ME COME UPSTAIRS!"

"Alright! Just wait for a second, please?"

That backfired in a blink of an eye. I opened the curtains of my room. Revealing my neighbours being so productive already. Even the annoying kid next door is trashtalking someone on his computer already. Screaming and raging. His parents didn't really beat some sense into him and disciplined him. Too early to be angry, boy. The sunlight went straight to my gaming station. I closed the curtains. Can't risk my hobby getting overheated.

I went downstairs. Mom greeted me with a usual sermon. "What do I always tell you, Virgil?" a hot-tempered question thrown at me.

"You should be grateful I woke up."

"It's because I woke you up. You'd be sleeping still if I didn't scream at your ears."

"Thank you then."

"Besides that, change that white long-sleeves and pants. I've seen you wear that for a couple nights already."

"Eh?" I smelled my armpits a little. "Not that sour."

"Don't wait for it to stank our house" she takes the utensils and plates out of the cabinet and puts it in the table. "No girls want a stinky boy."

"Okay, after I take a bath"

"Put your clothes in the basket so I can wash it later."

I went to the living room. The feel of the carpet is warm and feathery. Saw my sister watching television while holding a pillow in her lap. I sat beside her in the sofa. She takes notice of my presence and looks at me. I took the remote out of the glass table but she stops my hand. "Hey! I'm watching here."

"Cartoons again" I said. "Change the channel. The news are more important."

"No!" she insisted. She glaring at me resembled Professor Devin's eyes. Like a tiger. The scenario stroked my brain about the assignments and activities I forgot. But my brain's too exhausted to think for now. Papers can wait until tommorow.

She laughed loudly. I instantly looked at the television. Turns out she's watching Spongebob Squarepants. I watched it too when I'm her age. A show meant for kids and also for adults who think like kids.

"Bro, he reminds me of you" she said in a light voice.

"Who?" I asked.

"Him," pointing her finger to the character on the TV. "Squidward."

"Why is it gotta be him?" while having a tired expression painted in my face.

"Look! Your face!" she excitedly said. "You look like Squidward."

I don't know what to react. A kid's mind is to wondrous and unpredictable. I don't have the energy to decipher.

"You little brat" and I tickled her sides. Also tickling her neck and pinching her nose and cheeks. It created a blissful moment for the both of us. A genuine moment. Playing with her like this is rare. We're still siblings afterall.