Zack jumped up to the sound of the suite door being slammed. He looked up from the television with shock in his eyes as he saw his brother running into their shared bedroom with tears running down his face.
"Cody? Are you ok?" Zack asked with concern in his voice,
"I'm fine." Cody said as he shut the bedroom door behind him. But Zack knew he obviously wasn't. He turned off the television and walked to the bedroom door. He pondered for a few seconds before gently opening the door. He looked around to see Cody curled up in a ball on his bed clutching onto blankie.
"Hey Buddy, what's wrong?" Zack asked softly, sitting down on Cody's bed. Cody Sniffled but didn't say anything,
"Come on, you know you can tell me anything." Zack said, he was growing rather concerned about Cody. Still no response, Cody sniffed again.
"Did someone hurt you?" Zack asked his brother.
Silence
"What's wrong Cody? If you tell me I can help." Zack said as he shuffled up the bed closer to his brother. He gently put his hand on Cody's quivering shoulder,
"Do you hate me?" Cody suddenly whispered,
"NO! Of course not! Who said that?" Zack shouted. Cody sat up.
"Some boys at school today told me that you hated me and you were ashamed to be my brother." Cody said beginning to cry again. Zack pulled him into a hug and Cody cried into his shoulder.
"Cody, you're my baby brother. I certainly am not ashamed of you. You're a straight A student, you kind and caring and your always there for me and everyone around you. You are my best friend! I don't hate you, I love you." Said reassured his crying brother,
"Are you sure?" Cody sniffled.
"Positive." Zack replied softly, rubbing his brothers back.
"I love you too Zack" Cody said pulling his older brother into a tight hug. The two stayed like that for a few minutes before pulling away. There was a few moments of silence before Zack said,
"Hey why don't we go play a video game?"
"Sure" Cody smiled as he led his brother into the living area of their suite.