Disclaimer: Once again i do not own Cheaper by the Dozen or anything affiliated with it. Just this story.
Thanks for all the reviews, im glad you guys are enjoying this so far. Keep 'em coming.
Mike Baker heard Jake scream at Charlie and run into the bathroom, slamming the door. He didn't voice it, but had been worried about his brother lately. For the most part he acted the same, but he knew he was pretending. Mike could always tell when something wasn't right with Jake. He wasn't sure what the fight with Charlie was about, but he knew it couldn't be good. What did Charlie mean "What happened to you?", and if it was serious why hadn't he told their mom yet? So many questions flooded Mike's young mind. I can't just sit by and watch the brother that i know slip away, i have to help Jake, he thought to himself, he was determined. He decided to try and talk to him later, when noone else was around, he knew it would be hard with 13 people living in the house but he was sure the right time would come. He just hoped he would know when that time was.
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Jake felt bad for snapping at Charlie, but he wasn't going to apologize. He knew he would just ask again, and he wasn't sure if he could avoid the question for a second time. So he spent the rest of that night in his room. He wished he could hide there until all the bruises were gone, both the physical and emotional ones. He was sure to go to sleep early so that when Henry went to bed he wouldn't have to deal with him yet. Although he knew it was coming, he was dreading it, so he wasn't exactly thrilled to see Henry the next morning. "Hey man, what happened yesterday..." Henry started as he walked over to Jake who was laying in bed with his headphones on, "i didn't see you a-...What happened to you?" he exclaimed. "Uh...um... i fell off my skateboard",Jake stammered. "Oh must have been a real bad fall to leave that much damage, you alright?", "Yeah,man,i'm fine". Wow i didn't know he was that gullible, maybe i shouldn't have lied to him, but i just didnt want him to worry, oh yeah what a great brother i am Jake spent the next few minutes mentally arguing with himself, forgetting Henry was standing in front of him. "Alright,man if you're sure you're fine, im gonna go downstairs", "What?..Oh right okay",Jake replied. Henry hesitated a moment but eventually left the room. Jake took a deep breathe and followed him, knowing he would be having that discussion quite a lot today.
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"WHATS UP WITH YOUR FACE", screeched Nigel and Kyle as Jake walked into the kitchen. Here we go, "Oh my gosh, Jake!" Kate ran over to him at about 65 miles per hour, or it seemed like it anyway. "Mom, im fine, i promise","I don't know hon, maybe we should take you to the doctor and have him look at you". "Come on,Mom,it was just a skateboarding accident, and other than the black and blues im fine", "Alright, but if you feel any extreme pain, let me know".Jake nodded, he looked around and noticed that the whole family had witnessed that conversation, maybe he wouldn't be asked again he thought, or hoped rather.
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Mike heard it, but he wasn't sure if he believed it. Something about the way Jake was avoiding eye contact with their mom. He shook it off , figuring it was just his mind messing with him. Maybe he was overreacting, and maybe Jake was just going through another phase. Mike decided he would put off talking to him for awhile, if anything just until everything calmed down. But he did miss hanging out with him. "Wanna play hockey later?" he asked Jake. Kate Baker gave Mike a stern look, she had just replaced the lamp they destroyed last time they played in the house. "... Outside", he added. Jake wanted to, but he wasn't sure he could handle it until he healed a little bit. "Maybe in a few days, when i'm not so sore" Mike mentally hit himself, of course he couldn't play hockey, he was all knocked up. He would just have to think of something else.
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The whole family sat down to eat breakfast, even Nora came by this morning. Thankfully his mom had explained to her what happened to Jake, and he didnt have to. Jake could feel people looking at him. He didn't like everyone glancing at him with worried looks every 10 seconds. Maybe it wasn't worry on there faces, maybe it was disgust, Jake thought. They didn't pay any attention to him normally, so why should they all of a sudden care? Because they felt they had to? He wasn't anybody's charity case. After 10 minutes,and about 40 stolen glances from the people surrounding him, he couldn't take it anymore. He closed his eyes and stood up. "I know my face is screwed up and all right now, but do you guys think you could stop looking at me? If you find me that gross maybe i'll eat in my room today", Jake said with a bit of sarcasm and a lot of attitude. His siblings looked down avoiding eye contact with him and each other.They knew they were guilty. Tom Baker stood up and locked eyes with Jake. "First of all, we aren't disgusted by your appearance..." he started but was interrupted by Mike, "I'm sorry, Jake." he said, simple enough. Jake broke eyes with his dad and locked they with Mike. He saw nothing but sincerity. He knew he was really sorry. Jake nodded and gave Mike a look that told him he knew he meant it.Tom started again, "I think we're all sorry, but we just care about you. At this, Jake rolled his eyes and sucked his teeth at this remark. "Please, you didn't care about me when i wasn't hurt, and you don't care about me now. You're just saying all this to shut me up.With the exception of Mike, noone ever pays attention to me anymore. Curse of the middle child. Well, i dont care anymore, screw you", he said loudly. They he ran up to his room and locked his door. Tom ran after him and knocked on his door. "Jake, you get back down here and apologize, now!", "NO!" Jake screamed, so loud that everyone downstairs heard it. Tom started to scream back but he realized he just had to let him calm down. "Well...if you want to talk..." "Whatever. Just go away" Jake said quietly. Tom walked downstairs slowly and back to the table. He didn't have to say anything, they all knew what was up. "You know",mike said,"He was right". After that he ran upstairs too, but instead of going to Jake's room he went to his own. He felt helpless, he wanted to help Jake so bad but he couldn't. Tears fell from his eyes, he didn't even know he was crying. He layed down and fell asleep.
Honest opinions and and suggestions are always appreciated. Again, thanks to my reviewers. Much love.