Trophy Child (On Hold)

Chapter 4

Over the course of the next few weeks, I was in a much better mood than usual. I didn't care about anything my parents or Andy did. I put more effort into my classwork. I even said hi to Josh once or twice in the hallway at school without gagging or rolling my eyes. 

Well, for the most part. I might have rolled my eyes just a little. 

Two days before the talent show, we were practicing in my basement. It wasn't something we usually did, because my mom was crazy and hated the noise, but my parents were out for the day, and I had to watch Andy anyway. It just made the most sense to use my place.

My amp had been bugging out on us for a good half hour, so Benny had plopped down in front of it, cross legged, and told us to take a break so that he could figure it out.

While he rolled his sleeves up to get to work, Eric wasted no time in sprawling himself out awkwardly on the couch and taking his phone out. 

"Move," Phil demanded, and he shoved Eric's legs to make room for himself.

"Did your mom never teach you manners?" Eric asked. 

"Your mom taught me a thing or two, but it wasn't manners." 

"If you guys could act at least a little older than five, that would be great," I said, but they just ignored me and kept arguing back and forth. 

That is, until Phil shoved Eric's arm and made him drop his phone directly onto his own face. Then Eric pounced on Phil and the bickering turned into violence, so I decided to let them sort it out on their own. 

"Okay, Casey, try it now," Benny said, pushing himself up off the floor.

I walked back over and gave my guitar a few strums before I nodded my approval.

"Perfect. Thanks, Benny. Looks like we're back in business."

We managed maybe another twenty minutes of practice before Eric started whining about being bored and Andy bounced his way down the basement stairs. 

He walked right up to me and announced cheerfully,"Casey, I'm hungry."

I think he thought that I actually cared.

"Great. So go eat a bowl of cereal or something, I'm kind of busy."

"I don't want cereal," he replied with a pout.

"And I don't want to make you anything."

"Mom said you have to. I'll tell her you invited them over without permission."

He pointed at the guys and I glared down at him.

"Get out, Andy."

"Fine, but then I'm telling when mom gets home, and she'll be mad again."

I swore to myself for the millionth time that I would never have children. They're all needy, manipulative monsters. Eric was lucky to be an only child. 

Benny spoke up, "just order some pizza, I'm kind of hungry too."

"Fine, but I'm not getting up to answer the door," I replied.

Andy smiled widely. He was victorious.

Now, normally I would have wanted to smack that look off his face, but I was still in a good mood. As such, I was only slightly tempted.

"Casey, no one expected you to answer the door," Phil said and picked up the TV remote. "We'll just make Eric do it."

"What are we watching?" Andy asked, and he took a seat on the floor next to the couch.