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The following morning Randy woke up beside his older brother and saw that he was still asleep. Getting up, he crept out of the room as quietly as he could in order not to wake him. Out in the hall, he also saw that the door of his parents room was closed, meaning that they were still asleep as well. Randy was glad for that, not wanting to see them right now.

Heading down the steps, Randy headed downstairs and was a little surprised to see Mark fully clothed looking like he was getting ready to head out. He then quickly remembered what he thought last night, about not being there for him, about not being a good brother.

"Mark." He quickly said, getting his attention.

The younger boy turned his head and looked a little nervous upon seeing him. It was the first time he had seen him since being told that he was sick. He remembered what his parents said, not to act any differently towards him.

"Hey Randy."

"Where are you going?"

"Outside. Maybe to the park."

The park? Maybe this was his chance, it wasn't too late...yet.

"Well...can I go with you?"

Mark now looked at his older brother like he had grown two heads. He never asked to do anything with him.

"Uh…"

"Just give me a second okay? We can play some basketball when we get there."

Mark nodded as Randy turned and headed to his bedroom in the basement. After getting dressed he went to the closet and took the basketball out before putting it underneath his arm and walked out the front door with his younger brother.

Along the way, Randy bit his lip slightly as he tried to think of something to say. Finally he just blurted out;

"How's school going?"

"Fine." Mark answered. "I'm glad summer vacation is almost here."

"Right." Randy mentally kicked himself. "I forgot that school is over in a week."

"How could you forget?"

"I've had a lot on my mind."

Mark carefully glanced at him as they continued walking. He wanted to ask Randy if he was okay but didn't want to take the chance of upsetting him. His older brother seemed to be in a good mood right now and didn't want to say or do anything that would change that.

When they arrived at the park the two of them headed to the basketball court. Once they were facing each other Randy tossed the ball to Mark.

"Let's see you get past me, dork." He teased playfully.

Mark smirked as he dribbled the ball as he ran towards the basket which was ten feet off the ground. Randy went to intercept him but Mark moved around him and shot the ball into the air and it went straight through the hoop.

"Luck, pure luck." Randy said as he took the ball now that it was his turn.

"Yeah, we'll see."

Randy began bouncing the ball as he tried to maneuver his way around Mark who had his hands out, trying to knock the ball out his way. He quickly circled around him and ran up towards the basket, leaping up and shooting the ball in a lay-up which went through the hoop. Mark got the ball next and was about to shoot when Randy intercepted and got the ball back, shot in the air but it hit the backboard.

Mark caught the ball the shot it up in the air. It went through the hoop which gave him another point as Randy began breathing deeper, he really felt tired now and they hadn't even been playing for five minutes.

Getting the ball again, Randy was now having trouble focusing on bouncing the ball as Mark moved in front of him, trying to get it back. He tried to run past him but he stumbled and dropped down to one knee.

Seeing what happened, Mark quickly went to his side. Randy was breathing heavily and was sweating lightly.

"Are you okay?" Mark asked, worried. "What happened?"

"I'm fine." Randy responded between breaths. He felt like he ran two laps around the school track. "I'm just tired."

"I'll go get Mom and Dad."

"No!"

Randy grabbed Mark's wrist to stop him from running back to their house.

"I'll be fine, just give me a minute."

"Alright." He said slowly as he knelt down next to him. "I'll stay with you."

Mark then carefully put his hand on Randy's shoulder as his breath slowly began to turn back to normal. After a few more breaths the older boy looked at Mark and then said;

"I'm sorry about teasing you over the years."

Mark blinked in surprise after he heard that. Randy then continued.

"I didn't mean anything by it…you know that right?"

"Yeah." He nodded. "Are you okay now?"

Randy took one last breath before standing up.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

Back at the Taylor house, Tim was just waking up and walking downstairs. He, along with his wife hadn't gotten much sleep over the past two days and finally was able to get some much needed rest last night.

When he walked in to the kitchen he saw Brad sitting on the stool at the counter, eating leftovers from last night.

"Morning Brad." He greeted. "Pizza for breakfast?"

"Why not?"

Tim shrugged.

"Yeah, why not?" He said while taking out a piece for himself. Jill then walked in the kitchen and greeted her husband and oldest boy.

"Hey, Jill." Tim responded as he got out the pizza box. "Want one?"

"No thanks, I'm going down to see Randy."

She then headed down the basement as Tim walked into the living room and flipped on the television. He began watching a news broadcast for a moment before the sound of Jill yelling caused him to jump.

"Tim!"

Jill then raced back up with a worried look on her face.

"Randy's not in his room. Where is he?"

"I don't know." Brad answered. "He stayed with me last night but when I woke up he was gone."

"Alright, just calm down." Tim said as he went over to his wife. "Mark's not here either, maybe they went somewhere."

Just then, the front door opened and both Mark and Randy walked inside. As soon as she saw him, Jill raced over and engulfed Randy in a hug.

"Randy? Where in the world did you go?"

"Just to the park." He answered, squirming a little as he was a little annoyed by his mother being so overprotective. She then let him go and looked at him.

"You shouldn't have gone anywhere without telling us first. You're sick, you-"

"I'm not made of glass!" Randy then yelled, taking everyone by surprise. "And you don't have to remind me that I'm sick!"

He then rushed past her, ignoring his father's calls as he went straight to his room, slamming the door behind him.