In My Dreams

Prologue

In a small suburban town, a teenage boy pedaled as fast as he could to get home. His dark brown, messy bangs whipped across his face, somewhat blurring his vision. Soon enough, he heard people shouting at him. Turning his head around, he could see seven figures slowing down to a walk three blocks away, making the boy smirk.

A yelp escaped from his mouth as soon enough as he crashed into a bush. Specifically, his neighbor's bush. A few sharp leaves and twigs poked his bare skin, making him wince a bit. He slowly crawled out, pulling his bike with him. The form of his body showed up as a huge dent in the bush as soon as he got out, making the boy sigh.

Holding the handlebars of the bike, he slowly trudged his way to his front door.

He thwn set down his bike to the left of the door and dug through his pockets. Feeling his keys, Keegan took them out and began to unlock the door. As soon as he pushed it open with a click, he could hear the soft pitter-patter of small feet running towards the door.

"Kee!"

A little boy skidded to a stop at the end of the small hallway leading to the front door. The older one smiled. "Hello to you too, Asher." He said, kicking off his shoes and tossing them to the side os the door. Bolting his way over to the oldest, Asher tackled his brother in a baby bear hug.

Pulling away, the little boy pouted. "You said you would be back before the lines o the clock were both together!" He whined. His brother, Keegan, chuckled, walking over to the living room and plopping down on the couch. "Well, I'm here now." He said, patting down the empty spot next to him, waiting for his brother to sit down. "Did you finish the sandwich I left on the table for you?" He asked, leaning over to the TV remote on the couch's arm. "Yes." Asher said, dragging out the 'y'.

Pressing the 'on' button on the remote, Keegan sighed. A cartoon show starring three kids in a creek replaced the previous black screen. "Alright, what did you do with it?" He asked. Asher starred at the TV, his lips pursed together. "I dunno what you're talking about. I ate all of it." He said, slurring his words together.

"Okay, I believe you. So, if I look inside the trash can. I won't see a peanut butter and jelly sandwich terribly squished inside of a few tissues?" Keegan said, a small smile appearing on his mouth. "I hate it when the jelly touches the peanut butter!" The six-year-old whined. "Peanut butter doesn't belong with jelly!"

Keegan sighed. "Alright, I won't let the peanut butter touch the jelly." Asher smiled. "But, I'll have to make you another sandwich." The older brother stood up and walked over to the kitchen, Asher following.

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Keegan rubs his temples in distress. It was past ten o'clock and he already tucked his brother into bed a while ago. He was currently in the middle of paying the bills for their house. Ever since their mother died and their father left, the two brothers were left to fend for themselves. They were pretty low on money since Keegan has a job that only pays him less than ninety dollars a month.

"Kee?"

The familiar voice of his little brother snapped Keegan from his distress. His brother stood in his bedroom doorway. "Ash? What are you doing?" Keegan asked. "Shouldn't you be asleep by now?"

Asher pouted, crossing his arms. "You should be asleep too." He said in the most stern voice he could muster. His brother sighed and stood up. "C'mon, let's get you back to bed." But the younger brother didn't budge. He didn't even uncross his arms. "Asher." Keegan said in a warning tone. Still, his brother didn't move The older on sighed.

"Fine." He said, sighing and turning off his desk lamp. "I'll go to sleep." Asher happily smiled. "But first, you go to sleep." Keegan said, making his brother frown. But he still gave in and walked back over to his room, his brother following.

Asher jumped onto his bed and got comfortable under his sheets. "Goodnight, Asher," Keegan said, ruffing up his brother's hair. "G'night, Kee." Asher replied. Keegan was about to close the bedroom door before his brother said something.

"Hey, Kee?"

"Yes, Ash?"

"Hope you have happy dreams."

Keegan chuckled.

"Hope you do too. Love you, Asher."

"Love you too, Keegan."

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The young adult reached his bedroom and glanced at the papers spread out on his desk. His whole room still looked like a boundless mess even in the dark. Keegan sighed, rubbing his face. Maybe he really did need sleep. Trudging over to his bed, the bot flopped onto it, instantly entering the realm of slumber where he will set foot on a dream he'll never forget...

Probably...