Nightmares and Turmoil

As far as ideas went, this had to be one of the worst ones that Zack had suggested. For as good as it had sounded in his head, it had still backfired on him. Which his younger twin brother, Cody, would remind him that he was the one that decided to go behind their mom's back. Just after they gotten their mom to let them have a bit more freedom. Which Zack would probably remind him that he was the one that agreed and went along with it. So, he was just as much at fault as he was.

Cody had been the most hesitant about seeing a horror film, especially one that their mom expressly told them not to see. Which is probably why Zack had chosen it. The idea was good in nature that it would be scary enough that their dates, Janice and Jessica, would cling to them during the movie.

What wasn't expected was for how much it scared him. And it was always horror movies that scared Cody, not the other way around. It was always him that teased Cody about a movie scaring him. He never did it in a way to be cruel to his younger brother. But it was always horror movies that would do it.

So, it didn't seem fair that Cody wasn't as affected as he was. But he probably hid his face during the entire movie. That way he couldn't be scared at the more gory parts of the movie. While he had part of the movie seared into his mind.

Which is why he wasn't in the best of moods as part of his overimaginative mind took over. Checking everywhere in the room that he shared with Cody. He knew it was stupid, that there was no such thing as zombies. But the fear still crept in as he checked under his bed what seemed like the third time.

Cody was giving him a weird look, which he ignored.

Though he thought he was doing a good job at showing he wasn't bothered by the movie. Even though he denied when Cody said he screamed during the movie. He refused to admit that, especially in front of his younger brother. Which failed when he saw Cody reach to turn off the light in the room. The thought of the dark was almost enough to make him shake.

The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.

"Don't you turn off that light!"

Normally, Zack would brush off any comments Cody would say to him. He wasn't sure if it got more to him because of the movie or not. But he didn't appreciate being mocked by Cody. Though he felt his hand slightly twitch as he turned off the light himself. Silently coaching himself that there weren't any zombies and that the dark didn't mean anything.

Which would have worked if their mom didn't come through the door while wearing her face mask.

A flash of the Zombie Mom flashed through his mind as he screamed and ran to his bed. Though calming down when he realized it was only mom. The only thing that saved them from her finding out they went to the movie was Cody's quick response.

Normally a movie like this wouldn't get to him and he found himself craving to be near his brother. Easily getting on his bed as mom turned off the light again and closed the door to their room. He could feel his nerves slightly easing, he wondered if that is what Cody felt when he had his nightmares and came to him for comfort during the night.

Though the relief turned to hurt when Cody shoved him off the bed. He didn't even look at him as he turned over.

Zack wasn't sure what hurt worse at that moment. Even his fear was temporarily gone as he got back to his feet. He felt lonelier than he had not even ten minutes ago.

So, that's what it was?

If Cody was scared of something or had a nightmare, there was no questions asked. And Zack had never been mean to him about any of his nightmares. Not even when the thunder would scare his younger brother. There may be a word or two when he would tease him, but he would drop it when he noticed it would make Cody feel worse.

So, when he actually needed the comfort of his younger brother, he was rejected?! He was literally kicked out of his brother's bed.

Now, Cody wouldn't even look at him, it was as if nothing happened. And yet everything felt colder to him as he buried under his covers. He couldn't even feel the warmth that his blankets normally provided him. All he could feel was the hurt and cold that washed over him.

He felt stupid for thinking that Cody would be there like he was for him. He felt a tear slid down his cheek as he used his blanket to brush it away. He squeezed his eyes shut as if that would help shut everything out.

The emotions that had been wrought as he attempted to block them out. He just wanted to forget that he had tried to go to Cody. He didn't think he ever remembered having a more restless sleep. So, when he woke up, it felt like he hadn't never closed his eyes to start with.

He hadn't even wanted to move when mom had hollered for him. It had taken Cody a few tries before he was willing to move. The first attempt was worse than the second when he nearly fell out of the bed, face first.

"And I thought I had unsteady feet," Cody snickered.

Zack refused to look at his younger brother as he tried to coordinate his feet to actually take steps. Though he didn't agree with his twin when they were surprised to find Mr. Moseby in their suite that morning.

The reason wasn't too surprising, being accused of doing something, even though they didn't do it for once. Given, it was usually Zack that was the one responsible. Typically, he was able to convince Cody to go along with it.

Right now, he couldn't even look at his twin brother. He was still a bit unnerved by his dream or it felt more as a nightmare. Trying to block out the Zombie Mom before she found him and feasted on his flesh.

Okay… so maybe the movie really did get to him.

But when he went to sit on his bed to go back to sleep, he heard a ding.

Zack could feel the gaze of his brother on him as he asked him if his butt had dinged. That was how he found the lobby bell in his room. He could feel his heart sinking with each passing moment. Maybe he had done what Moseby had accused them off.

But he didn't remember waking up and barricading the Lobby with all the furniture. Even then his thoughts went to a sudden halt. He had dreamed that…

Even though his panicked mind he could hear his brother, "you did do it!"

Zack paced towards his bed, "it's not possible! I was asleep!" Though he was starting to doubt that he really was no.

"You must have been sleepwalking since the movie freaked you out," Cody suggested.

Zack actually looked at his brother, the first time since last night. "Sleepwalking? And it didn't freak me out." It was a denial, even he knew it. But it was better than admitting that to Cody, who would mock him for being scared of a movie.

"Really? Oh no! Zombie!"

Zack's eyes went wide and didn't even look to see where before diving under his covers on his bed. He could feel his body shaking from the sudden fear that he was feeling. But when he heard Cody start to snicker at his reaction, all he could feel was anger.

He glared at his younger brother.

"Nice to know that even my brother finds it so hilarious…" The words were mustered in so much hate, wanting for Cody to feel what he was feeling.

Though despite the hurt that he was feeling that Cody would actually use that against him, he felt betrayed. Neither of them had ever used a fear against one another. It was obvious what Cody thought of him.

No longer wanting to sleep more, despite on how tired he felt. Which now, he understood why if he had been sleepwalking. He decided to get dressed but instead of using their shared room, he used the bathroom instead. Making sure the door was locked.

Ignoring when Cody had called after him but stopped once the door had been shut. Though he hadn't expecting to see their mom waiting for him when he got out, fully dressed.

"Zack, did you have a fight?" Carey asked him.

Zack shrugged.

"Zack, you need to be getting along with your brother," Carey lectured him.

"At least I never made fun of him for having a nightmare!" Zack snapped.

"Cody! You shouldn't be making fun of your older brother for that. And for all your nightmares, Zack has not once made fun of you for it," Carey turned onto her younger son.

"Yes, he has!" Cody complained.

"What, because I told you that your nightmare was stupid because you'd never fail a grade. It's not stupid when it's true. At least I will wake you up when you're having one of your nightmares. Sorry that I'm such a terrible brother to have around," Zack glared before taking his bookbag and leaving the suite.

"Cody, you need to apologize to Zack and fix what you did. Having an older sibling can be hard at times, honey. But he does care about you, and it seems you did something to make him think that you didn't."

"Ok, mom. I'm sorry," Cody mumbled.

"It's not me that should be hearing your sorry. But Zack does take being your older brother serious—"

"By ten minutes!"

"That's not the point. As much as you don't see it. You're as much of Zack's responsibility as you are mine. It's part of having an older brother. But you don't want him to hate you either, sweetheart," Carey told him. "Now, have fun at school."

And while their mom was talking to Cody, Zack hadn't waited for Cody when he decided to walk instead of waiting for the bus. Not only did he hope that it would help wake him up, but he would also get to avoid a bus ride with his younger brother. Though, there was no doubt he would fall asleep during his classes that day. They were boring enough as it was, which made it harder to pay attention. Not that the teachers cared besides to wake him up so he could go to his next class. Him being asleep was preferred to disruptions that were likely to occur while awake.

The only lucky part of school for Zack was that most of his classes weren't shared with his younger brother. Even after sleep in every class, he swore that he felt more tired than when he woke up that morning.

He didn't have a conversation with Cody since that morning, not since their mom had asked if they had fought. He still ignored him even after he got back to their suite. Even the day through school hadn't been enough to cool down the anger and hurt he felt towards Cody. To know how selfish his brother was.

The first stop was their shared bedroom as Zack curled into a ball, clutching his pillow. At least he could avoid the questions and talking here more than the other room. Which his where Cody found him.

Zack knew he was there but didn't turn to face him.

"Here to rub in my face how funny it is to see me scared?" Zack's words were echoed in bitterness.

"No… Zack… I—I wanted to say I was sorry… about before."

"Because mommy told you to," Zack bit back.

"At first… until I realized what I did. I don't want to lose my older brother. And mom was right. I shouldn't have done that. You never did. I was the jerk of a brother," Cody admitted.

"Was it really that hard to believe that maybe I had wanted the comfort of my baby brother?" Zack finally looked at him, uncurling from the position he was it.

"You've never wanted comfort from me… So, maybe it was, and I never saw it. I've always been the one that's gone to you. And you never questioned it…" Cody told him.

"Why else would I have climbed in your bed. It seemed clear to me what you thought," Zack muttered.

Cody walked towards his older brother and wrapped his arms around him.

"I'm sorry I didn't see it. Are we… good?" Cody looked up at Zack.

Zack gave him a small grin and ruffled his blonde hair that looked so similar to his own. It didn't matter how much he previously hated what Cody had done, he still loved his little brother. And he knew that Cody meant every word of it.

"Yeah, we're good. Not going to get kicked out if I want comfort from my baby brother this time, am I?"

"Not a chance!" Cody swore as Zack let him curl into him. It was similar to how Cody would curl into his older brother when he had a nightmare or was scared. Now, it was the other way around as Zack released a shaky breath that he didn't know he was holding.

"You're lucky you hid your face the entire movie," Zack muttered. He was starting to feel another wave of tiredness hit him again. He really didn't sleep that well last night. And the short naps that he had taken at school hadn't helped very much either.

"Did not," Cody denied, even if it was true. He wasn't the biggest fan of horror films. But it made him realize how horrible of a brother he had been. Granted, it wasn't like he was going to kick Zack out of his own bed.

So, when their mother decided to check on her children because the silence was getting too suspicious. She stayed in the doorway for a minute with a smile on her face. Before quickly grabbing a camera to take a picture of her boys. The flash didn't even wake the pair. It was a sweet moment as she took in the protective hold that Zack had of Cody. With Cody's face pressed into Zack's chest sound asleep. None the wiser of Zack's sleepwalking because of a movie.

And Mr. Moseby would never find out who was the one responsible for rearranging the lobby's furniture. Looks like an apology was going to be owed to the two Martin twins.