Sitting up in his bed, Zach let out a pleased noise at the sound of his various bones cracking. Blinking his sleep away, he examined his old room; surprisingly neat- his mom probably cleaned it sometime during the months he was gone... And didn't visit. Whatever, he was busy. Throwing his blanket off and standing up, he stretched his arms above his head, giving a few final pops and cracks before leaving his room.

Walking through the one story house, he grinned at the cozyness of the building- he always appreciated it once he'd experienced living in a larger building. Making the small walk to the kitchen, he felt slightly awkward, unsure how to greet his mother. Quickly shrugging it off, he walked into the kitchen.

"Hey, mom." he said softly, with a sheepish smile. He laughed as his mom jumped- clearly startled. Her blonde hair was done up neatly into a bun, and simple, natural make up- her brown eyes standing out on their own.

"Zachary." She laughed through her shock, walking over to hug her son. "My, it's been nearly half a year since I've seen your face." she said, her voice edged with an accusatory tone, despite sporting a red-lipped smile.

"Hey, I call." he said, hands raised in defense.

"Yeah, hardly." a voice said, waltzing out of the hallway, tugging an old John Waters sweater over a chubby belly.

Zach only groaned at the familiar voice.

"You know, it's not even a long drive to home- like, jeez, I visit more often than you do. And I work. And I actually study." the voice continued as he made his way into the pantry, grabbing a box of cereal.

"Okay, I'll admit-" Zach began explaining, his sheepish tone returning.

"There's always a catch." he chuckled humorlessly, grabbing a handful of dry cereal.

"Warren!" their mother intervened, knowing their words would grow more and more angry without someone stepping in between. "Now, is this really how you want to welcome your brother home?"

"Half brother." Zach said, glancing Warren up and down. Old sweater, WalMart sweats, he was gross. He took to no respect into his appearance. Ever. Really. Would it kill the kid to run a fucking hair brush through his mop of hair?

"If that." Warren countered giving Zach the same once over. That fucking fraternity had turned him into a preppy elitist. The pastel bullshit sweater with whatever fraternity plastered across his chest. Please. He looked like a fucking billboard.

"So why are you home?" he asked with a quirked eye brow.

"Well." Zach started- they did deserve an explanation he guessed. "I got into a fight with my bro-"

He was interrupted with a laugh from Warren.

"What?" he asked, his anger building.

"I still can't get over that you douche bags actually call each other that." he answered with a mocking tone, putting the box away.

"Warren, will you jus-" their mom started

"No, I will not just. I don't wanna hear shit about his stupid fake family." Warren argued, shutting the pantry door with a little too much force. The mom only winced. "I don't wanna hear shit about your college at all. We agreed that you wouldn't bore me with your pointless stories if I went to a different college." he reminded Zach, his tone clearly bitter. "And well, I kept my end of the bargain." he gave an angry smile at Zach.

Zach could only roll his eyes. Warren was still upset over that. Warren was his little brother- by two years. It was embarrassing enough to be held back a year, and then to have his little brother skip a year? They'd been in the same grade since elementary school- he wanted away from the fucking kid.

"Plus, if you had an issue with one of your asshole bros why didn't you just go to your dad's?" he asked with a menacing smile, trying to strike a chord. "Bet Hunter and Paula are just dying to hear about their bigshot football player son become an 'All- Amurican.'" he finished, giving Zach a challenging smile. It was no secret that Hunter was hated in their family, for the most part. He dipped as soon as Zach proved to be a difficult toddler. What an idiot; all toddlers are monsters.

"Paula is not my fucking mom and you know damn well Hunter is a piece of shit!" he argued, voice raising angrily. That fucking look on that smart ass's face. The only thing keeping Zach from beating Warren's ass was his mom's hands holding him back. Zach couldn't just walk in after avoiding his family for nearly half a year and then also kick his brother's ass.

"That's enough. Both of you." she stepped in, rubbing her temples- one of her biggest physical signs that she's had enough of her two son's bickering. "Warren, why don't you tell Zach where you're catering at next?" she offered, giving him an encouraging smile. She just wanted them to get along like they used to. Perhaps a small similarity where they'd be spending the night would be a chance for them to bond. Perhaps she was a dreamer.

Warren gave her a look that said 'what the hell, why would you do that mom?' before looking reluctantly at Zach. "I'm serving orderves at your fraternities dumb New Years party. Me and Chloe are." he said through gritted teeth.

"Thought you wanted nothing to do with my college?" Zach asked mockingly, with a snarl.

"Money is money." Warren said with a shrug."Not all of us got a full ride to college." he added in a quiet tone. Their family always struggled with finances. Their mom was such a hard worker- two jobs and no husband. And she was amazing with them- always wanted them to focus on their schooling so they wouldn't end up like her. It broke Warren's heart. It only got worse when her husband, Warren's father passed away. Despite everything, Warren really tried to kick ass with his academics, and maybe get a scholarship; apparently a straight 4.0 and skipping a grade just wasn't enough. Apparently he should've focused more on sports.

Zach winced, money. It was always the issue with his family. But it wasn't a problem for him anymore. He was still unsure of how to go about the subject now.

"Just. Keep the fuck away from me and my friends,okay?" he requested monotonously, though slightly irritated.

"Yeah, whatever." he muttered.