Mirror On The Wall

The Ball Pit

 

  Tim was sixteen, wearing a black t-shirt with a pentagram in the centre, jet black skinny jeans and checkered vans high top trainers, his hair cut short but still dyed black as well.

  People would call Tim a goth, emo, all sorts of slurs because of how he dresses, but he didn't care, he has been dressing like this for a number of years, and while doesn't have many friends, he still has some that do defend him if someone gets too much in the way of insults.

  But, today wasn't about Tim, it was all for his younger brother, Ricky, since it is his sixth birthday.

  Unlike Tim, Ricky is popular at school, plays baseball and just enjoys his time to the fullest.

  That's how come Tim is currently sitting at Happy Hour Pizza Parlour, wearing a party hat and making balloon animals for all of Ricky's friends.

  But, while Ricky and his friends are enjoying this, all Tim could think about was getting home, sneaking a quick smoke in his bedroom and playing video games on his computer.

  There Mum and Dad are arriving later from work so they have tasked Tim to keep everyone entertained until they get there, but Tim had a feeling that they wouldn't be coming, there Dad is a brain surgeon at the local hospital and there Mum is the manager at nursing home, which means they never rarely get home on time to cook dinner, so Tim and Ricky normally have leftovers from the night before.

  But, today, Tim felt like this day is all about Ricky, so he would put up with the rest of the little brats for his younger brother.

  "Tim, do you want to play in the ball pit?" Ricky asked his brother, a massive smile plastered on his face.

"I'm sorry, but the ball pit is out of order" said one of the Happy Hour staff, Tim looked at him and he looked just a little bit older than Tim, his voice was a higher voice though, the uniform they wear which is normally a bright yellow t-shirt and red trousers and finalized with a pair of black pumps was completely covered in grease and dirt, like it hasn't been washed in a very long time.

  "How can a ball pit be out of order, it's a kids pit some soft rubber balls?" Tim asked, seeing his brother's sad face.

  "These are the rules from management" said the staff member with a sneer in his voice, which annoyed Tim a little.

  "Can I speak to the manager then" Tim retorted, standing up from his seat and looking directly at the man now, noticing that he was covered in red and yellow spots.

  The man tapped his badge lightly, a small smirk on his face, and as Tim looked down, seeing that his name was Simon and he was the manager.

  "You're not the manager?" Tim questioned.

  "If you would like sir, I could show you my wage slip to prove it" Simon smiled widely, exposing his somewhat yellow teeth.

  Tim turned around to face his brother, a smile on his face before turning back to Simon, pushing him out of the way and jogging towards the ball pit.

  "Hey Ricky, you want to go into the ball pit, then you and your friends have to get me out" Tim jokingly dared his brother before jumping in.

  The plan was to jump and surprise the screaming and laughing kids, all the while Simon's voice echoed to get out of there, and as Tim went further into the ball pit, the kids laughter grew every closer until they were right on top of Tim.

  And then, he jumped out, screaming loudly and with a wide smile on his face.

  But when Tim came out, Happy Hour Pizza Parlour looked completely different.