I tweaked the kids' ages a bit. The Jessie wiki confused me on their age differences but this is an AU so whatever.

Emma: 18/19 ish

Luke: 18

Ravi: 17

Zuri: 12

Jessie: 25


"Alright kids, time to get up! Breakfast is on the table and Luke, don't you dare go back to sleep or I'll take you to school in your underwear!"

Jessie's holler projected through the thick door, loud and clear. It had to be, especially to get Luke awake this early.

Ravi's eyelids fluttered open; his vision was overwhelmed briefly from floating spots before it adjusted accordingly and focused in on his alarm clock. It had taken nearly two hours for the sweet, tempting call of sleep succumbed him, where unsettled thoughts and images still haunted him. Although none of which had come close to the one involving Mitch.

At the end of Ravi's sophomore year, Mitch had insulted his mother in the middle of the hallway after he had initially refused to take the jock's bait to rile him up. He'd hoped by ignoring the bullies they'd just leave him alone. It was what Jessie and his parents would have told him. It's what any teacher, principal or counselor at school would have said. But it didn't. Mitch was not one to let it go. After an unsuccessful attempt at shoving Ravi into one of the lockers (he'd had a tiny growth spurt over the course of the year, though he was still strikingly smaller than other boys his age), he'd raised his arm up and Ravi, anticipating violence, let out an involuntary whimper. What occurred after that was fairly relevant to the dream; he had been made fun of which led to Mitch and some other jocks to make jokes about his mother. Ravi rushed home that day and spent the remaining time locked up in his room, sobbing into his pillow.

No one asked why he hadn't ate dinner.

No one heard his cries.

No one did anything.

I don't want to go. Ravi flipped over onto his back and laid there, staring up at the ceiling with a pounding heart and sickened stomach. Another year of misery. I cannot wait.

Sluggishly, he arose into a seating position; a struggle as this was not by choice. He winced at the pain shooting up from his left his to his shoulder, accompanied by pins and needles. I must have slept on it, he realized, yawning.

He stretched his arms over his head and yawned again. That sense of refreshness one was supposed to feel after a night's rest was unfamiliar to Ravi. Oftentimes, he awakened drained. Drained and finished with the day despite that it just began.

Didn't he deserve something more? Some kind of happiness and not immediate dread?

He felt sticky; uncomfortable. Drenched in sweat that had not only dampened his pajama top but additionally his blanket and left a visible stain on his bed sheet. Oh no, he groaned. Panicked. Fretted. Not again. Night sweats were something he was accustomed to, so he should have been prepared for this. But you weren't. He'd better air dry everything before Jessie found them. Or worse, Luke.

Ravi shuddered. He'd never live it down if that happened. Come to think of it, Luke didn't let him live down anything, always willing to bring up that totally amusing incident from years ago that sent everyone into a fit of laughter at his expense.

Was it natural to experience such...resentment toward someone hat the mere thought of them was enough induce those feelings?

Ravi hadn't minded Luke's tendency to tease him, make fun of him, he corrected himself sourly. He figured this was part of a typical brotherly relationship and so allowed it to continue without saying a word to their parents (or Jessie) for it hadn't ever occurred to him that Luke would have less than pure intentions. But you can only take so much and Ravi was nearing his breaking point. At what point would everyone realize just how far he'd come to breaking? No one understood him, no one knew how truly betrayed and alone he felt. And no one ever would.

"Kids! Come on, seriously. I shouldn't have to keep telling you!"

Ravi peeled off his night shirt, flinging it to the other side of the room where it missed his clothes basket completely.

How had he forgotten about school? For the past week and a half, (actually two and a half weeks but it didn't get started right away due to resistance from his siblings), they'd been in transition from summer schedule back to school schedule. It included an earlier bedtime and reestablishing an earlier morning routine. This didn't coincide with either Luke or Zuri; they'd both been unreservedly dead set against starting the new school year and moaned and groaned about it whenever the opportunity arose.

Emma was a freshman in college this year, which meant one less kid to push out the door (and less of a strain on Jessie's sanity). Instead of attending class physically, she signed up for online classes to make it easier on herself and took great pleasure in bragging that she got to stay home all day.

Ravi couldn't say age had matured his older sister.

Of course, Zuri was the first to protest at the unjustice of it all, (Luke didn't...surprisingly).

Sometimes Ravi envied his siblings and their naivety. Zuri saw it as a quick and easy way to learn without actually having to do much.

He saw it as an escape; a way out that appeared so close yet it wasn't, as he still had two more years of torture to get through.

At least this was Luke's last year.

Perhaps senior year would be different; maybe he'd be his own person. Maybe he wouldn't be tormented as much and asked over and over why he wasn't like his brother.

He doubted it.

Ravi slid back under under the blankets, staying under for several minutes; savoring the warmth and comfort. Had it always been this early? His body felt deprived of any and all energy. It doesn't help when you wake up from a nightmare, either, he thought. I could take a few more minutes. Jessie won't notice. I'll just tell her I was taking care of Mrs. Kipling.

Nothing would have been more pleasing than to stay in bed, covered by the blankets and buried within. Like a cacoon. A warm, flower scented cocoon. Safe from any predators that may be lurking around.

Jessie wouldn't approve.

Nor would she understand.

But, then again, she couldn't entirely be blamed for that... It wasn't thoroughly obvious that he'd gone through a massive personality change, he thought bitterly.

School had previously excited him; studying in a new country, the prospect of learning rich, new information. It was thrilling. If that wasn't enough, he wasn't alone anymore. He had siblings to accompany him. He didn't have to wake up at the crack of dawn anymore to spent a good portion of the day trekking to the village school, barefoot and in the harshest conditions.

He had it easy compared to those still living in his village. Most boys his age were working, searching for anything to keep their family alive and well. Even going as far to steal or kill for a loaf of bread or a jug of water. Ravi had running water and electricity. Food was never out of bounds, he'd never had to go hungry because they were limited.

You live like a prince while others starve to death. How is that fair? They never asked for that, just as you never asked to be adopted by a rich family. You don't deserve these riches; they do. They work hard to survive, what do you do?

Ravi bit down on his lower lip, suppressing down a trail of emotions. Guilt had been eating away at him for months, a year or two even. It came with the inability to understand why; why had he been chosen over everyone else? How had his parents seen him and instantly knew they wanted him as their child? It should have been someone else so they could truly appreciate it. I'm just taking up space.

"Knock, knock." It was Jessie. Her voice snapped him out of his stupor. Ravi jerked and sat back up so she wouldn't scold him for trying to fall back asleep. "Hey, you decent?"

As a person? Hardly, he inwardly scoffed. "Yes," he called, shoving the blanket off the bed and making sure he sat directly over the stained spot. "You may come in."

The door opened and in came Jessie, looking a little groggy herself. Her hair was pulled into a loose ponytail and she wore no makeup. "Good morning," she greeted to which he reciprocated with a half-hearted smile. Had to keep up appearances, after all.

"Bertram made pancakes and waffles and there's some orange juice in the fridge. I made sure there's no pulp for you." There was a hint of fondness on her face.

Ravi raised his eyebrows. "Bertram made breakfast?" he questioned skeptically.

"Your parents facetimed me," Jessie smirked. "They wanted to wish you guys a good first day of school but y'all were still sleeping."

"Ah," he understood. That made more sense. The day Bertram willingly cooked and cleaned was a day not in the foreseeable future.

"You know, I'm not sure why you always keep it so dark in here. Let some light in," Jessie went over to the window, pushing the curtains to each side. "It's such a beautiful morning, don't you think?"

Instantly, that 'beautiful' morning light blinded him; bursting inro the entire room and filling with all that sunshiny goodness that the average person would love. Ravi covered his face with his hands, shaking his head vigorously.

"Oh stop that, it's not that bad."

Says you

"And by the way," Jessie crossed back to the other side, stepping over dirty laundry and whatever else that laid haphazardly along the floor. There were many disputes about that particular issue in which Jessie had all but accused him of trying to be like Luke. Oh, if only she knew. "Were you up around two this morning?"

Ravi looked up, hardly daring to believe it. Did she hear me? Perhaps so. But why hadn't she come to comfort me? Was she trying not to embarrass me? Is that all?

"Because Zuri says she heard Mrs. Kipling," Jessie continued, shattering any hope Ravi had that someone had heard him, he had gone unnoticed. Of course. "Honestly, Ravi, two am isn't the time to play."

"But I-"

"No buts," she rebuked, shaking a finger in his direction. "You should have been asleep anyway. We don't need you falling asleep in class. I'm a little disappointed in you, Ravi; you need to be responsible and set an example for Zuri."

What about Luke? He asked but didn't voice. What about his responsibilities? Why must I always pick up the slack for the both of us?

"Yes Jessie," he murmured obediently. "I'm sorry."

Jessie's face softened. She reached out to ruffle his hair-it took all of his inner strength not to flinch under her touch. "It's okay. You're a teenager, you're gonna push my buttons," she chuckled. He did not. "So," there was a change of subject and her tone became chipper, "are you ready for your first day of junior year?"

Am I ready for another year of disappointment and torment? I'd rather face the electric chair, quite honestly. Ravi no longer had the zealous attitude his younger self had; now he dreaded school. The bullies he'd gotten away from for the summer would be returning, some for the last time as this was their senior year. The anxiety from the last school year was back with a vengeance, imagining the worst possible outcomes, and he hadn't even had breakfast yet.

"I remember my junior year," Jessie reminisced, not giving him any time to answer, thank the Gods. "I spent the whole year crushing on Caleb McFarland and planning on how to beat Darla for prom queen." Her head was tilted to the side, losing herself in the daydream.

"Did you win?" Ravi asked politely. Polite. That's how he was, the polite kid. It was easier to feigh inquisitiveness than to explain how much he wanted her to leave. It wouldn't have been very polite.

"Well," Jessie spluttered, shrugging in what she tried to pass off as nonchalant "it doesn't matter. That was years ago. And Caleb broke up with her at graduation anyway so..."

Ravi didn't know how Jessie did it; rejection after rejection and the most depressing homelife stories. Rarely had it all crashed on top of her, leaving her helpless and broken. That's more than you can say.

"Hey, are you okay?" Jessie must have noticed his despondent look. "What's wrong? You can talk to me if you need to, you know that, Ravi."

"Huh?" Ravi's head snapped up. He hadn't meant to lose himself like that. He couldn't afford to; not in front of other people. "Oh. Yes, I am fine. Just tired." It was an easy lie to pass off, almost too easy as it slipped off his tongue.

The worry slid off her face and she laughed, believing it right away. She didn't have a reason not to. He almost wished her nanny instincts would kick in; perhaps question it because it wasn't typical behavior, not for him. "I'm not surprised. You spent most of your summer sleeping, you're almost as bad as Luke."

Yes, it's always Luke. "Speaking of Luke," Jessie rolled her eyes, "I better go see if he's up yet. You'd think at eighteen, he'd be a little more responsible."

Yes, you'd think, wouldn't you? Ravi waited until she closed the door, hastily bundling up the bed attire and shoving it in the dirty clothes basket. He'd deal with it later. It wasn't likely for Bertram to decide that today, of all days, he'd do the laundry.

Or any day

Ravi yanked off a black shirt from the hanger, threw a plaid green shirt over it, leaving the front unbuttoned and pulled on a pair of jeans. He'd long given up on wearing obnoxious clothes all of the time. At first, Jessie and his parents were semi concerned (Ravi could give them that) but overall dismissed it as a phase to figure himself out.

What a load of garbage.

In the corner of the room there was a mirror, one that came from Emma's room. Jessie had suggested she give it to him instead of just throwing it away. Why? Ravi had scoffed to himself at the time. What use would he have for it? To preen and admire himself? Occasionally, there would be a swift glance in the mirror as he got dressed, grimacing at what he saw.

He was too skinny

He had no muscle

He was too short

His knees were knobby

It was enough persuasion for him to sort of hide in his clothes and why he quit wearing shorts altogether unless it happened to be for PE.

Ravi pulled on a pair of socks and tied his shoes. Just for spite, he shut the curtains-however, beforehand, he stared down at the people below as they traveled to work or school. He imagined the happy, smiling faces of some and it made his blood boil. It was unfair. Ravi didn't try to act spoiled or entitled. He didn't want attention or pity. His bitterness was aimed at anybody these days. Anybody that was happy or living their best life. They had no right living that way when he was suffering.

I suppose I should go downstairs and join the 'family', Ravi scowled. That inner rebellious part of him nudged him, encouraging that he just lay back in bed until Luke and Zuri left the table. If worst came to worst, he'd leave for school without any breakfast, not that it would be the first time. He'd have to be smarter this time around; the last time it created a slew of problems that still angered him to this day.

Although I suppose I should applaud them for paying attention, he thought sarcastically. First time for everything.

He stalked toward toward the door, distantly catching wind of a low hissing noise. Oh. He'd nearly forgotten to let Mrs. Kipling out. She tended to be in an unpleasant mood after being cramped up in a cage for so long.

"Good morning, Mrs. Kipling," he murmured as he bent down, unlocking the latch on her cage. His pet growled as an acknowledgement, nuzzling against his outstretched hand. Ravi smiled genuinely at the gesture. She understood him, even through the language barrier.

Yet the ones that could actually speak to him acted as though he was some sort of space alien.

Mrs. Kipling's growl met his ears. He stared into her eyes as she pleaded for food. "I am sorry, Mrs. K but you know you can't eat until later," he said apologetically, stroking along her back.

She expressed her indignation (he swore she really did understand him sometimes) by inching away from him. Ravi ignored the pang of hurt in his heart. She'd get over it once Jessie fed her. Oh who I am kidding? My own pet hates me.

"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I assure you, you won't starve. Jessie will fed you." If she doesn't forget.

"Ravi!" the door flew open; Jessie burst in, exclaiming. Ravi just about had a heart attack, jumping a foot in the air. "Get downstairs and eat or you'll be late. Mrs. Kipling will still be here when you get back."

That tiny glimmer of happiness he'd felt with Mrs. Kipling dissipated almost instantaneously.

He didn't say a word or even glance in her direction. If he had, he might have given her the impression that he was trying to burn holes through her head. Or worse. He picked himself off the floor and made his way out to the hallway. If he'd of stayed, he would have dealt with a mini lecture for not having his backpack ready like he was supposed to.

Like he'd been told to.

True to her word, there had definitely been fresh pancakes and waffles. The aroma hit his nostrils as soon as he neared the kitchen. Well, I am a bit peckish. As if on cue, his stomach growled embarrassingly loud. Perhaps skipping out on lunch and dinner (with just a piece of toast in the morning that he eventually threw up) yesterday hadn't been the wisest of choices.

Food has been nauseating to him all day with the anticipation of school the next day. How could he have possibly eaten anything else? There was simply no desire for consumption.

Luke, Zuri and most peculiarly, Emma were seated at the kitchen table, partially eating their breakfast. Nobody was talking. Luke was stuffing his face per usual and the girls were glued to their cell phones. Bertram was huddled in the corner, reading one of those magazines he frequently bought, feet propped and munching on a bag of cheddar popcorn. How can he eat that this early? Neither his siblings or Bertram greeted him and he didn't say a word to them. That was how it was every morning, unless Jessie happened to be in the room and maybe he might get a good morning if she wasn't already preoccupied. Ravi didn't hope or expect anything anymore.

He grabbed a plate from the cabinet, moving along to the counter where the food would be so as to help himself to some waffles. Upon lifting the paper towel off of the large serving plate, a ripple of scornful laughter came to the back of his throat. There wasn't any waffles besides a few stray crumbs. Just one measly pancake that was burnt on one side. He didn't even like pancakes.

"Alright, who ate all the-oh," he said flatly, catching sight of Luke's syrupy face amid a rather large bite. His brother grinned, unfortunately granting him the ability to see the mush of chewed up waffles in his mouth. Almost immediately that queasiness returned. Ugh, that's disgusting. Close your mouth.

"Sorry, bro," Luke said in a tone that conveyed the exact opposite whilst shrugging. "Ya snooze, ya loose."

You could have waited! You know I prefer waffles over pancakes! No, you deliberately did this to upset me. You're always trying to upset me. Ravi ranted in his mind, leaving every single word unsaid. Oh what they would do if he really spoke his mind. He took a deep breath and said with forced calmness, "Perhaps next time you could leave me a couple."

"Or maybe you could drag your butt downstairs on time," Zuri retorted with her signature 'attitude'. She tapped away on her phone, despite their parents' rule about no electronics at the table.

"Yeah," Luke chimed in, "what she said!"

Stay out of it, Zuri, this isn't your conversation! "Luke, this isn't the first time you've done this," he struggled to keep a hold on his temper, "I shouldn't have to ask for you to extend common courtesy."

"Oh my God, Ravi! Shut up, it's just a stupid waffle," Emma tore her eyes away from her own phone, aggervated by his persistence of the subject.

"But I-"

"If you're that upset just ask Bertram to make you some more," she went back to chatting with whomever, probably telling that person all about her deranged (if she could spell it, to which he was skeptical of) brother and his petty concerns.

"I would but it's so far away,' Bertram interjected, waving a hand lazily toward the stove.

Ravi rolled his eyes, dropping his eyes toward the floor in defeat. "It is fine, I'll just make them myself," he muttered under his breath as he glanced on the box for the directions. You should not have gotten so upset. It was just a waffle. You're overreacting. Again. Just as he was acquiring an egg, Zuri spoke up again.

"You won't have time. Remember, we have to take the long way today because of all the construction?"

No, because no one told me! Ravi practically threw the ingredients back into the fridge, dumping the lone pancake onto his plate, which was surely cold by now. There was hardly any point in heating it up; he sat down as far away from his siblings as he was able to (difficult when they were scattered around the table).

"I don't know about you guys, but I'm taking a nap as soon as I get home," Zuri announced to no one in particular. "I forgot about school and stayed up till like four-thirty."

"Dude, me too," Luke snorted. "But I stayed up till five."

"You did not," Zuri argued, for once setting down her phone to properly discuss the matter. "I heard snoring."

"It was probably Ravi," Luke and Zuri snickered at the 'joke'. Ravi was unimpressed. "He almost inhaled the drapes once."

"You mean the time you two shared a bed in Spain?" Zuri asked, her face splitting into a wide grin at the reminder.

"Yeah," Luke confirmed, giggling. "And mom and dad wondered why I was tired. Try sleeping with Snore-A-Lot and you'll see why."

Way to exaggerate, Luke. Ravi took a bite of his food, suddenly remembering he'd forgotten his drink. He went ahead and got a glass of orange juice, sipping on it delicately while attempting to drown out the vexatious peels of laughter that erupted from his siblings. Did they truly have nothing more enjoyable to do than to pick on him?

The conversation did drift away from Ravi's supposed snoring and back to the topic of school. However, it was nothing more than complaints from both Luke and Zuri. Emma paid them no attention; she seemed to have grasped the ability of blocking out any other noise that didn't pertain to her interest.

Lucky her

"At least there's only three weeks until the first half day," Zuri tried to be somewhat positive.

Luke was having none of it, determined to be a debby downer. "That's too long," he groaned. "What am I gonna do until then?"

Take initiative to improve your grades, instead of your social status, perhaps?

It was a wonder he hadn't been forced to repeat his junior year. Luke's grades on his most recent report card were less than stellar, the poorest they had ever been. Yet by a miracle of some sorts, he'd been allowed to continue up to the next grade level if he complied and went to summer school to improve on a few things. And he did; though he didn't have a choice. Ravi was still trying to figure out how Luke managed not to get grounded. Besides a lengthy lecture from their parents and Jessie, nothing was taken away or restricted.

Of course not. Not for Luke.

"Wait a second," Luke said suddenly, as if he'd just had a major epiphany, "why are you up?" he directed this question toward Emma. Did he really just notice?

"Yeah," Zuri frowned, "I thought you were gonna sleep in till noon?"

"Afraid we'd leave without saying goodbye?" Luke teased.

"Please," Emma scoffed, "Jessie said I couldn't sleep in; something about acting like an adult even though I don't have a job or whatever. It's totes unfair."

Some people are facing poverty or a terminal illness but yes, let's focus on your problems. Ravi just about had it with their whining but couldn't say anything or they would turn on him again.

"Ravi, sweetie, did you wet the bed?" Jessie pushed the door to the kitchen open, carrying his wet pajamas and bed attire.

Ravi stared at her in horror, rendered speechless. All three of his siblings burst into laughter at his expense, nearing hysteria. Even Bertram chuckled a bit. Jessie! Must you ask in front of everyone? Have you no concern for privacy?

"Guys, stop it," Jessie scolded them, disappointed by their actions. As if this was an unusual reaction. " It's not funny."

"No, it's hilarious!" Zuri barely choked out the words.

The room felt like it was spinning, the air felt tight. Ravi swallowed thickly, unable to respond to her question due to the lump that formed in his throat. Do not cry, don't you dare cry. It will make things worse.

"Ravi?" Jessie prompted softly. She set the offensive items on the counter, disregarding the I'm not cleaning that from Bertram and sat down next to him, rubbing his back before he pulled away from her touch. "It's okay, there's nothing to be ashamed of. Lindsey Rodner wet the bed until she was eighteen."

"What a dor-" Luke started to say but shut up as soon as Jessie's withering glare came to him. Why can she not be that way with him all the time?

Because he's her favorite. She isn't as annoyed anymore when he flirts with her

She's always been lenient with him

And always will be

It isn't fair

Nothing is ever fair, is it?

She's not going to listen to me. I cannot believe she just said it so openly

That's because she doesn't care. You're not her favorite. You're just the extra she's stuck with to care for

Jessie then focused her concentration back onto Ravi. "Look, it's okay. Maybe you just drank too much last or-"

"He's just a bed wetter?" Luke quipped. There was a smirk on his face that Ravi wanted so badly to wipe off. "Don't worry Ravi, I'm sure plenty of people your age still wet the bed. It's nothing to be ashamed of."

Except for your use of a condescending tone

"Luke's right," Jessie paused, torn between agreeing with her assessment or not, taking in consideration his less than eloquent way of putting things. "Sort of. Kind of. The point is, you shouldn't be ashamed. Most people go through it."

But I never did. Couldn't they just shut up? If Jessie had bothered to even check she would have found that nothing smelled remotely close to urine. Why was he not surprised she did not?

"Can we talk about something else?" Emma interrupted, wrinkling her nose. "I'm trying to enjoy my coffee."

Jessie shot her a dirty look. The one that told her to have a little consideration; the same one often sent to his siblings when they were being insensitive toward him. Ravi knew that one by heart.

"It is fine," he stood up, taking his dishes to the sink where he rinsed them off. "I'll finish getting ready and perhaps we can leave soon after." He dodged Jessie's efforts at restarting the conversation, pretending to be thoroughly engrossed in washing the orange juice out of his cup.

"Okay," she sounded confused, dismayed that he was pushing her away. "But at least change into shorts. It's way too hot outside for jeans."

"Or maybe your whole outfit." Emma's eyes bore into his back, he was sure of it. Probably cringing too. "Seriously, why are you dressed like someone died?"

"Maybe he's going goth?" Luke suggested.

"Luke, don't be ridiculous," Jessie told him, though she was somewhat unsure. "You're not, are you?" she had the audacity to ask.

You've got to be kidding me!

"No," he replied, amazed that he hadn't blown up yet. His temper was teetering back and forth, dangerously swaying. Didn't they notice?

"Oh," she uttered with the intelligence of a tadpole. "Well, even if you were-"

He zoned her out, unwilling to listen to another second of her incessant ramblings. Or anyone's for that matter. Did they not know him at all? If they had, they wouldn't have incorrectly assumed he'd wet the bed or was going through a ridiculous phase to 'express himself'.

He made his way back to his room, where he became aware his backpack was already arranged neatly on his bed; zipped up and ready to go. Obviously Jessie's doing. Because he couldn't be trusted to do it on his own.

You don't deserve to be trusted

Mrs. Kipling was nowhere to be seen. Good. He wasn't about to allow himself to unleash his anger on his beloved lizard. She didn't do anything to warrant it. She was innocent.

Since Emma wasn't attending high school any longer, it meant she didn't monopolize the bathroom and he didn't have to be stuck as the last one in (which was a recurring theme around the penthouse).

He pressed his hands against the marble counter, leaning his forehead down on it; it was chilly against his heated skin. He was tired, just so tired of everything. Raising his head, he turned on the water and splashed at his face. Maybe this would wake him up.

With water droplets falling down his face, his fatigued reflection stared back at him in the mirror with haunted eyes. Nowadays he avoided glancing in the mirror. A way not to ponder over old memories.

Ravi reached for his toothbrush-the first time in days. For nearly a week, he'd given up on basic hygiene practices-including bathing. He couldn't explain why other than he just...didn't feel up to it. In hindsight, it worsened things. Reminded him of his village and their lack of. You have unlimited access and you're putting it to waste! Mai would be so disappointed. Now that school was starting he'd gotten a shower the night before (an hour long, unintentionally. Jessie had been pounding her fist on the door, asking what was taking so long). He didn't need body odor (or bad breath) to give Mitch or anyone else any more fuel to use against him.

I hope you're planning on doing something about...all of that

Insecurity crept up. Ravi ran a comb through his hair; he'd used to spike it everyday but now little effort went into it. What was the point? They'd be ruined by the end of the day anyway; if Mitch had his way he'd have a swirly before lunch.

He brought the toothbrush up to his teeth; moving it methodically around his mouth, careful not to gag himself.

Had he always been so pale? Well, as pale as his olive skin could get.

Had his eyes always looked so sunken?

The pictures surrounding their home showed a happy, healthy child. As of recently, he was an entirely different person.

One that was seemingly hated by everyone.

But it didn't matter. He hated that person too.

Ravi was nearly done brushing when he heard a knock (a pound) on the door. "Ravi! Come on, it's my turn!" It was Zuri. Her voice was a bit frantic, perhaps she realized how much time they had left after wasting time checking her social media or the latest video.

"Can you not use the one in mom and dad's room?" he retorted, annoyed. He should have known. He never got a moments peace; even if he managed to squeeze in before anyone else, there would always be someone that forced him to rush. Why did he even bother to try?

"Mom says I'm not allowed to!" his sister yelled back.

Right. He'd forgotten. The last time she used their parents' bathroom she'd come out wearing some of their mother's most expensive make up and practically bathed herself in perfume. She spent the rest of the morning washing it off. Needless to say, their mother was quite peeved after Jessie had given her the rundown.

"Just open up. I still need to brush my teeth!"

Well perhaps if you had obeyed our parents you would have time.

"Can you not wait a moment longer? I still need to use the toilet."

"You should have done that already," Zuri said matter-of-factly, dismissing his needs. "C'mon! Jessie's already on the warpath. You got Luke in trouble, ya know!"

"Oh, did I?" it was a bit risky, to let that much sarcasm in his voice. Right now, he just didn't care.

"Yeah for 'upsetting you'." He was certain she just used air quotes. "You were overreacting anyway."

I was overreacting? It wasn't even my fault anyway. He should have kept his mouth shut. Serves him right. Ravi did his business anyway, indifferent to her distress. She didn't care about him, she'd made that abundantly clear, so why should he care about her and her needs?

"RAVI!"

"Very well," he sighed irritably. He did as she requested begrudgingly. Seconds later, he was promptly shoved toward the door without any regard for him, to ask if he was done yet. No it was all about her. "Hey!"

"Move," she made shooing motions. "I have to get ready!"

"I haven't even gargled any mouthwash yet." She threw the bottle at him; he didn't catch it. "Very well, I will use mom and dad's room."

"Luke's in there," she said to which he stopped walking. "Try the kitchen sink."

The kitchen sink. His siblings were so selfish they couldn't spare a minute or two for him to finish. Typical.

"Forget it," he gave the bottle back to Zuri, muttering under his breath. He'd just grab a piece of gum; not a preferable solution but in this case, doable.

In a matter of five minutes, he was downstairs with his backpack slung over his shoulder and a minty piece of gum currently being chewed in his mouth. Unexpectedly, he encountered Luke, who was usually one of the last to get done on school mornings. This time, however, he was laying around on the couch, freshened up and properly clothed.

"Hey, so Jessie says I have to apologize, so sorry, I guess," his brother shrugged and popped one of his headphones into his ear.

You cannot even try to act like you're sorry, can you? Is faking sincerity too much for you now?

Ravi stood by the elevator, arms crossed and tried to adapt a neutral expression. You don't want questions do you? Have some sense for Gods sake.

"I just need five more minutes! Just let me blend my eyeshadow!"

"You should have thought about that before wasting so much time," Jessie told her as they came down the stairs, all but dragging his sister along. She began counting them off. "Alright, Luke's here, Ravi's here, Zuri's here-Emma!"

"What?" they heard a yell from upstairs.

"I want you to get started on your school work by the time I get back, okay? No later than eight."

"But Jessie," Emma came to the top of the banister, having changed from her pajamas to a white, fluffy robe. They'd caught her before she showered, evidently. "It's an online class, I can do it anytime."

"But you're going to do it when I say so," Jessie was firm. "Besides, you'll have more time to work on your fashion deigns."

Emma had grown quite serious about wanting to become a fashion designer and was currently devoting as much time as possible to creating the 'best of the best' fashion line.

"Ooooh, you're right," She clapped her hands together, excited. "Good thinking, Jessie!" She disappeared back to the bathroom.

"At least one kid thinks so," Jessie muttered then turned her attention back onto the other three. "Alright, you all ready to go?"

They nodded-Luke and Zuri's being more of mournfulness.

"You're sure?" she probed. "You aren't forgetting anything?"

"How could we? You've been asking us for two days," Zuri sassed. Jessie ignored this.

"Ravi, did you get your lunch? I made sure it's chicken salad this time, not tuna."

Oh how she'd been so surprised when he corrected her that he, in fact, did not like tuna despite her insistence that he did.

He did not. He grabbed it off the counter and stuffed it into his backpack, returning to his original spot just in time to witness her lecture to his siblings.

"Zuri, if I get another call about using your phone in class it's gone. No warnings, it's mine for a month."

His sister gasped in shock.

"And Luke, don't mess around this year. It's important, got it?" she raised her eyebrows as he hastily removed the earbud from his ear.

"Heh. Right."

"And try to look out for Ravi, okay? I think he's having a rough time," Jessie moved in closer to Luke, whispering discreetly, or so she thought. Ravi overheard everything.

"I guess."

"No, not 'you guess', do it. Ravi's your brother and brothers look out for each other."

"Okay, fine. And Jessie?"

"Yes?"

"Can I have a kiss goodbye?"

"Go to school," she rolled her eyes.