Parents.. with different treatment

He forgotten son

Xander sat in the living room, clutching his toy truck as he watched his younger brother Xavier build a tower of blocks with their dad, Colby. The sounds of laughter and praise filled the air, but none of it was meant for him. Xander's heart ached as he tried to concentrate on his truck, pushing it back and forth on the floor.

"Look, Daddy! I made it taller than before!" Xavier exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement.

Colby turned to his younger son, a proud smile lighting up his face. "Wow, bud, that's amazing! You're such a smart little guy." He ruffled Xavier's hair affectionately.

Xander glanced up, his chest tight with the familiar feeling of being invisible. His small voice trembled as he spoke. "Daddy, look at my truck. I... I made it go really fast."

Colby barely glanced in his direction before sighing. "Xander, not now. Can't you see I'm busy with Xavier?" His tone was sharp, a familiar sting that made Xander's eyes drop back to the floor.

Valerie walked into the room, cradling baby Victoria, who was fussing in her arms. She smiled as she rocked the baby gently, completely focused on calming her down. "Colby, can you help me with Victoria? She's been so fussy today."

"Sure, babe," Colby replied, standing up and leaving Xavier's blocks on the floor. He walked over to Valerie, his expression softening as he cooed at the baby.

Xander watched as both his parents hovered over Victoria, leaving him and his brother alone. He scooted a little closer to Xavier, hoping for some kind of attention, even if it was just from his brother.

But Xavier was absorbed in his own game, stacking the blocks even higher. "Don't knock it over, Xander," Xavier warned, glancing at him briefly.

"I won't," Xander muttered, though a part of him wanted to. He wanted something, anything, to get their attention.

A few minutes passed, and Xander couldn't hold it in anymore. He reached out and swiped at Xavier's blocks, sending them crashing to the floor.

"Hey! Why'd you do that?!" Xavier cried, tears welling up in his eyes.

Colby turned sharply at the sound, his expression hardening as he marched over to Xander. "Xander, what did I just say? What is wrong with you? Why can't you ever behave?"

Xander shrank back, feeling the weight of Colby's anger. His voice came out in a small whisper, "I just wanted you to look at me..."

Colby's frustration flared. "Look at you? Xander, all you do is cause problems. You need to learn how to behave like Xavier."

Xander's eyes filled with tears, but he held them back. He wanted so badly to be good, to make his dad proud like Xavier always did. But no matter how hard he tried, it never seemed to be enough.

Valerie, still holding Victoria, looked over but said nothing. She was too preoccupied with the baby, her attention divided. It always was.

That night, as Xander lay in bed, the house quiet, he wondered if anyone noticed how hard it was for him to sit still, how much he wanted to be seen. But in this house, it seemed there was always someone else who needed more attention, someone else who was better, quieter, easier to love.

And for now, it seemed he'd always be the forgotten son.