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Amelia was SUCH a brat, in Angelica's honest opinion. She had thought it the day that baby crash-landed into her life, and she still thought it today, after all this time.

Angelica's third birthday party had even been wrecked thanks to Amelia. She hadn't been able to have anyone come over because Amelia's 'emu system' was still weak and Mommy and Daddy didn't want to risk her getting sick. So, it was just Mommy, Daddy, Angelica and Amelia. But, then the baby had started fussing and Mommy and Daddy spent time with HER instead.

And now, Angelica was going to be drug off to her Aunt DeeDee's house to spend time with her little cousin and his dumb baby friends.

"It's important for Amelia to get to know her big cousin, pumpkin," Daddy said to Angelica's pouting face. "She's finally old enough that we can bring her out without worrying about her catching something."

"Can't she meet him some other time?" Angelica begged. "Like, when my cartoons aren't on?"

"It's been a while since you've seen Tommy, you wouldn't want him to forget about you, would you?"

Angelica sighed, staring out the car window. "He can remember me AFTER the Super Spy Cynthia show..."

Amelia squirmed in her car-seat next to Angelica, she started to whimper.

"Pipe down, brat," Angelica hissed.

Amelia frowned. She didn't understand why her big sister was always so mean and grouchy to her. Amelia always tried to be nice to Angelica. She'd throw toys in the older girl's direction in an invitation to play, but only receive a scowl in return.

Amelia watched the scenery pass by from her rear-facing car-seat. She didn't know what a 'cousin' was, but she hoped that 'cousins' were nicer than sisters.

Amelia was placed in a large playpen in the living room, next to another baby. This baby wore nothing but a blue T-shirt and diaper, and he didn't have even the tiniest sprig of hair. Amelia stared at the other baby curiously. Was he what a 'cousin' was?

The other baby was always eyeing her curiously, his expression inquisitive. "Are you Amelia?" he asked her.

"Uh-huh," Amelia responded shyly. "Are you the 'cousin'?"

"I fink so," the baby said. "My name is Tommy."

Amelia glanced around, "You know Angelica?"

"Yeah."

"Is she always so... so..." Amelia didn't know how she wanted to phrase this. "You know, mean?"

"Pretty much," Tommy shrugged.

Soon, another baby arrived. He had big purple glasses, a blue shirt and green shorts. He also had a mop of fuzzy, unkempt red hair, which made Amelia start to laugh.

"What's so funny?" the new boy asked.

"You look like a clown," Amelia giggled.

The new boy immediately flew into a panic, "WHERE!?" he cried.

"Chuckie, it's okay!" Tommy placed a hand on his friend's shoulder, turning to give Amelia a sour look.

Amelia frowned, she hadn't meant to make anyone upset. 'Oh no!' she thought. 'What if I'm going to turn mean like Angelica!?'

Amelia put on her best determined face. She wouldn't let that happen. If her words were hurting people, she just wouldn't say any. That was that.

Finally, two more babies arrived. They looked almost exactly alike, except one wore shorts, and the other had a bow in her hair. "Hi Tommy, hi Chuckie," the pair said in unison.

"Hi Phil, hi Lil," Tommy and Chuckie waved.

The boy, Phil noticed Amelia sitting in the corner of the playpen by herself. "Is this your new cousin, Tommy?"

"Yeah, her name's Amelia."

"Hi, Amelia."

Amelia said nothing.

"Amelia?" Phil repeated.

Nothing.

"Um... Tommy?" Lil asked. "Is your new cousin broked?"

"I don't fink so," Tommy shook his head. "She's just kind of quiet is all."

"Heelllooo?" Lil sang out. "Earth to Amelia!"

Amelia said nothing.

"Feh," Phil shrugged. "I guess I'd be pretty quiet too if I had to share a house with Angelica."

As the other babies played with one another, Amelia stayed in her corner. Part of her wanted to join in, but the other part was too afraid that they wouldn't like her. She was Angelica's sister after all, and she was getting the distinct impression these babies weren't too fond of the older girl.

Speaking of, Angelica stomped into the playpen, "Alright, you dumb babies, listen up! I'm losing my cartoon time because of you, and I'm NOT happy about it!"

"Leave us alone, Angelica," Tommy said.

"Hmmm..." Angelica tapped her chin, considering. "No, I don't think I will." She noticed Amelia in the corner. "Hey! Why aren't you dummies letting my sister play with you?"

"We tried," Phil explained. "But she just stayed there."

Angelica yanked Amelia up by the arm, "If I see you stupid babies ignoring Amelia again, you're gonna get it! Now, play with her!"

Amelia started to tear up. Now the other babies REALLY weren't going to like her. Not if they were just being FORCED to play with her! She put her hands over her eyes to dry her tears.

"STOP CRYING!" Angelica ordered her, stomping off.

Tommy looked at Amelia, "You don't gotta play with us if you don't wanna."

"Don't worry, I'll leave you guys alone," Amelia promised, toddling back to her corner.

"But why DON'T you wanna play with us, though?" Chuckie asked.

"'Cause you guys don't like me," Amelia explained.

"What?" Tommy asked. "How come you think that?"

"'Cause I'm Angelica's sister and you don't like her."

"Well, yeah," Phil shrugged. "But you're NOT Angelica. So, come play with us."

Amelia had a great time playing with her big cousin and his friends, until Phil and Lil did something that kind of upset her. Phil took some mud and a worm out of his pocket and showed it to her.

"Ewwww," she whined.

"Gimme the wormy!" Lil yelled.

"No, Lilian!" Phil shouted back. "I found it! It's mine."

"Gimme it, Phillip!"

"No!"

The twins pounced on each other, and started to wrestle for ownership of the coveted worm. Phil tried to throw the mud in his hand at Lil, but hit Amelia instead.

Amelia stared at the icky mud on her arm. It was so sticky and gross! She hated it! She burst into tears, crying loudly.

Angelica stormed back over, "What did you diaper bags do NOW!?" she shouted at them. She noticed the mud on Amelia. "Ugh, come on, Amelia." She took her little sister into the bathroom, wet a washcloth, and started to clean her off. "See? It comes right off, keep your diaper on!"

Amelia sniffed a bit and wiped her eyes, "Fank you, Angelica," she said, hugging her sister.

"Ew, baby germs," Angelica scoffed, pushing the younger girl away.