Just Not His Day

Simon climbed slowly into the bathtub. He sat down, feeling goosebumps all over him. The water was 40 degrees Celsius, just how he liked it. It was the only thing he got the way he liked it. He'd had a rotten day. No, the worst day ever.

First, he'd woken up half an hour late because Alvin had stolen his alarm clock, which meant the pop tarts Theodore had made him were cold. He would have brushed his teeth, but Alvin had mixed the toothpaste with purple dye, again. Port Theodore didn't notice, and Simon could only hope he wasn't teased by the group of idiotic jocks Alvin claimed were his friends.

He was ten minutes late, due to the fact he'd missed the school bus because Alvin had tied his shoelaces together. When he arrived at school, the only kids surround were the nasty ones who skipped class. Walking in a crowd of them was an experience he'd gladly take back. Because he was late, he got a detention, his first ever one. No only did that mean he missed out studying with Jeanette, he wouldn't get the Thomas Edison Elementary Award for 100% Attendance. The fact both Nathan, that big guy who picked on Theodore, and Ryan Edwards, the bully from Hell, were sitting opposite him in detention was my making the experience any better.

He trudged home, tripping over no less than three times. Alvin had ran off straight after school and Theodore had gone to the supermarket with Eleanor. It had been raining, soon his oversized blue jersey and new $75 shoes Dave had bought him were caked in muddy water. He heard his phone vibrating. He pulled it out to see a text from Jeanette.

"Hey Simon, sorry you got a detention. I'll pop round in a bit and study with you. See you soon." Simon smiled. Maybe today was about to get better. Finally he came to his house, and opened the door. He immediately slipped on the tiled floor. Maybe not.

He walked into the den to see none other than Alvin, sitting on the couch with his favourite show, Madame Raya, wearing a devious, knowing smirk.

"Hey Simon. Had a good day" he asked, hiding the laugh that threatened to explode out of him. He had of course planned out the perfect way to ruin every aspect of Simon's day. Why? The Monster Club, the pinnacle of society, well to an eight year old, said that they would only accept his seventh application to join if he could, as monsters were supposed to do, ruin the life of one very close person for a day. Alvin had obviously chosen Simon, mainly because he pulled pranks on Simon most days anyway.

Simon was still lost at Alvin's inquest and smirk, until he looked into his older, yet shorter brothers eyes. He had, somehow planned this. Alvin was the one who had stolen his alarm clock, he had tied his shoelaces together and hadn't been there after school, but had run off in a flash. A realization hit him. No, he couldn't have. Alvin, seeing the new expression on Simon's face said calmly and in a cheeky manner:

"It seldom rains in California in July" his lips curled into a sly smile. Yes, he had poured muddy water near roots sticking out of the pavement, knowing Simon would slip.

"Why would you do that to me Alvin?!" Simon was hurt beyond words. What could have drove Alvin to do something so cruel?

"Duh. I'm you older brother, plus it's always fun!" Alvin answered, as if it were as obvious as humans breathing oxygen.

"No, you do the odd prank because of the former, the latter isn't even true. No, this goes deeper." He then spied something under the small pile of music and games magazines on the coffee table. It clearly said Monster Club. Simon rushed to grab it before Alvin could stop him.

"Simon give that back now. I mean it!" Simon heart fell as he read it. Alvin wasn't just pulling pranks, he was purposefully making his life a misery. It didn't say brother, just someone close. And he'd chosen him.

Alvin was silent, observing his brother as he suddenly felt guilty. Simon went to walk away, until he felt his arm being held.

"Wait Simon." Alvin said.

"Save it Alvin. You've chosen who you're brothers are. And it's not me. It's them. Those bullies. Seems like a perfect fit." Simon said, tears starting to fall. Alvin was dying inside, a wave of guilt and slight self loathing flooding over him. He couldn't let Simon through the door to the kitchen. Not after what he'd just said. Too late.

The mud fell from the bucket above the door to the kitchen and cascaded onto Simon, knocking his glasses of. He stepped forward, and felt never before felt rage as he heard the district sound of cracking glass. His only pair of glasses were ruined because of Alvin. He turned to Alvin and said darkly:

"I hate you Alvin. Don't ever talk to me again. You're no brother of mine. Your a nasty, egotistical bully. Go get lost." Simon walked off, Alvin however followed as far as the bottom of the stairs and moments later saw a picture, the picture Simon and him, that was on Simon's bed side table, shatter into pieces, having been thrown by Simon from the top of the stairs. Alvin was devastated. His little brother who he loved with ever ounce of his being hated him. He kne he was right. He put the Monster Club above his brother. He was what Simon had said he was. He had to make it up to him.

Simon sat up in his bath, hearing the door open to see Alvin, covered in minor bruises, standing there.

"What, still not enough? Are you here to drown me?" Simon said, only half joking. At this,Alvin began to cry. Simon was stunned.

"You were right Simon. I was being horrible. I just called the club. I told them where to go and that I have no intention of joining. I'm so sorry. I failed you. I'm the worst brother ever. When ever Theodore has a problem, you're there for him. I don't do that for you, I'm friends with the people who bully you. Please, I beg of you, forgive me." Simon tried to look into Alvin's eyes, but failed.

"If only I could see you apologising." At this, Alvin reached into his pocket and drew out a small box which he handed to Simon. Inside it was a sleek pair of the newest glasses, the pair Simon had asked Dave for, but the cost was $100.

" How'd you get them so cheap?" Simon asked, trying to stay mad at Alvin.

"No, I bought them for the full price. I used the money I was saving for that new game console. Compared to your forgiveness, it's worthless." Simon put them on. It was then that Simon saw the tears, the bruising and the hate Alvin obviously felt against himself. He was going to find out where the bruising came from. He smiled and said:

" I didn't mean what I said. I forgive you Alvin." Alvin hugged Simon, and a lightbulb went off.

"Jeanette is here Simon." Alvin said, pointing to their room.

Alvin walked out, and Simon got out of the bathtub. He went to grab his towel, but the towel rack was empty. Alvin had taken his towel.

And all his clothes were in their room.

As was Jeanette.

Simon could do but one thing.

"ALVIN!"