Overruling Parameters

Zack Martin couldn't remember ever doing well in a class. It was always his younger twin, Cody. That wasn't to say he didn't love his younger brother, but it was hard to measure up to him.

He had never been good at school, always scraping by with his grades. It wasn't a lack for trying. Maybe in the beginning he had tried and then the classes hadn't been so hard. It had been easier to act like he was goofing off compared to showing how much it was affecting him. He didn't need to hear another comment from Cody or mom on how smart Cody was. To have it rubbed in his face on how dumb he was.

He wasn't dumb. Zack knew he just understood things in a different way, but the teachers never cared. But sometimes, Cody did make him feel dumb, especially when he would use words that he didn't understand. So, he tried to ignore those moments and not let it bother him. So, when he actually had a class that he was good at, he felt elated that he was better at it than Cody. That for once, he was good at something for a change.

Was it so hard to believe that a teacher would like him?!

The shock in his mom's voice hurt. He didn't always try to make the teachers in his class hate him. Okay, sometimes he did… but that was so they wouldn't call on him in class. Then, make him feel dumber than he already felt. It worked pretty well since most teachers would even avoid eye contact.

Zack would never admit it to anyone, but his nerves always felt fried when he was put on the spot in class. Where he would have enjoyed it on a basketball court, something he was good at.

He had always been better at sports to start with. Or really any sport that he tried. It was the one thing that he was better at than Cody. Too bad their mom would never see it that way. Sometimes the nagging would get so much that Zack would just leave the suite on the 23rd floor. Letting sports be his outlet or go to the Skate Park. Usually, he would get the rest of the lecture when he got back, especially if she knew he hadn't done his homework. Cody would always rat him out.

It wasn't like he always asked Cody to his homework for him. But it was his way of asking for help without directly stating it. Because he knew if he did, he wouldn't hear the end of it. He doubted Cody actually noticed that he would watch as he did the assignments. That usually made him more confused, but it wasn't like anyone had high expectations of him to start with.

Though it would have been nice if Cody had faith in him for once. Shouldn't it mean something that their teacher had left the class in his hands when he had to step out for a minute?! Granted, the entire class knew he was flirting with the lady in the office. But all Cody could do was argue with him in class about what he was telling him. Then go to mom and whine all because he gave him a demerit… It wasn't his fault that Cody didn't want to follow safety rules and then ruin the wood, after ignoring his warning... He even believed that Zack had made the rules! And all because he thought that he was right… again.

It had felt good to prove Cody wrong for once. That he could be right about something and have the teacher back him up on it. His brother probably wouldn't look at it that way though. Because all his twin could think about was his stupid grades. He didn't think it was that big of a deal, he got bad grades all the time.

So, maybe he was a little jealous of Cody's perfect grades where he didn't have to try most times. To have mom be proud of something he did for once. Not that he would admit that out loud. So, he did what he did best, he lied and argued with Cody. Cody only made it too easy by arguing back. Determined that he was right. If there was anyone that knew him, it was Cody.

Zack wouldn't be surprised if Cody knew he was starting up the fight on purpose and he played along. Just like they always did. But at least what he said next was true. He knew that Cody was jealous because he was actually better at a class.

Though it did help the hurt that he was feeling because of it. His own brother couldn't even be proud of him that he was doing good in a class, even if it was Woodshop. After all, it's just Woodshop.

And maybe it was the older brother in him that made Zack decide to switch their assignments for the final. He couldn't stand the heartbroken expression on his younger brother. The thought of failing a class was devastating for him. Given their twin connection, he could feel part of it. It made Zack wonder if Cody was any the wiser of his own feelings.

Cody had tried to argue with him, which surprised him since he figured that Cody was be overjoyed that he would pass the class with an A. But he eventually gave up the secret, Cody had never been good with lying and keeping the lie.

Which is how Zack got the A in Woodshop and was advancing to Advanced Placement Woodshop, he couldn't remember ever getting into an advanced class. He had never been more excited about a class before. It was always Cody that was being bumped up into advanced classes, not him.

"Why did you do it?" Zack asked, the clock still in his hands.

"What do you mean?"

"Cody…"

The younger twin sighed, "I never deserved that A, Zack. You did. I wasn't going to take credit for something you did."

"You could have gotten an A and not a C," Zack pointed out. After all, Zack was used to getting bad grades. So, it wouldn't have been surprising if it was Zack coming home with another C. It was better than another D or F at least.

Cody shrugged, weighing the wheelbarrow/birdhouse in his hands.

"Getting a C isn't all that bad. It wasn't an F."

Zack snorted, "and the carrying on about your grades was all for show?"

"No… but then I realized what this meant to you… Maybe I was jealous because it's always been me that was at the top of my classes. Academics is supposed to be the one thing I can be better at. You've always been great at everything I'm not…" Cody admitted.

"I don't know what you mean," Zack muttered. Though his expression softened at the last remark from Cody. He hadn't realized that he wasn't the only one jealous.

"You've always tried hard, and mom is the only one that can't see it. I've always been proud of you. You may not get A's in every class but you do pass them."

"Okay, maybe you haven't been the only one jealous…" Zack muttered; he probably would have run his fingers through his hair if he wasn't still holding the clock.

Cody ruffled his eyebrows together, "what do you have to be jealous about? You always been better at sports and talking to girls… something I've never been able to do."

"To have mom proud of me for once…" Zack sighed, looking up at the Tipton Hotel. They had walked from the school to the hotel.

"But mom is proud of you!"

Zack snorted, "and her nagging tells you that much? I always get the disappointed looks because my grades have never been as good as yours… So, I'm sure my D's and F's have shown a lot that she can be proud of."

His tone got bitter at the end, sometimes he just wished that maybe mom would be proud that he was actually trying. He could never stand that disappointed look in her eyes that he couldn't be as good as Cody. A lot of it was lack of trying since he hadn't seen the point in doing so anymore. She may not have said so in so many words, but he knew what she thought either way. It was always Cody that got the high praises on how well he did.

"I know I am. You still passed the classes, which I know is hard for you. But you found something that even I haven't yet. I don't even know what I would want to do, and you probably already found it," Cody told him.

"Thought it was just Woodshop…" Zack muttered.

Cody bit his lip, feeling guilty, "I'm not always right, you know. And this time, I'm glad I was wrong. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be but you're good at it."

"And not jail…I'm sure that your faith in me is astounding," Zack's comment was sarcastic.

"Oh, shut up, you know that wasn't what I meant!"

Zack looked at his younger brother in disbelief, "so, you just like to comment where you don't think I'll make it anywhere... Nice to know even my own twin don't have much faith in me either."

"You know that's not true," Cody sighed.

Zack snorted, as he finally moved his feet towards the entrance to the Tipton. He didn't know how long they probably had been just standing there and talking. It was a surprise that Moseby didn't find them and lecture them about blocking the entrance.

Norman had opened the door for the pair as they made their way towards the lobby.

"Zack, Zack! Come on you know I didn't mean it like that!" Cody called after him.

Zack frowned when Cody had made it into the elevator before the doors could close. He would have crossed his arms if he could. He rested his back against one of the walls of the elevator as it slowly rose to the 23rd floor.

"There aren't many ways you can mean that. I'm the dumb twin, remember?"

With that, he marched out of the elevator towards suite 2330. There was a silent hope in him that maybe mom might be proud of him for once. His stomach felt like it was tied into knots from the nerves. He had gotten a better grade than Cody after all.

Whatever Cody had wanted to say to Zack had to wait since it took him a minute to catch up to him. By then, Zack had already sat down the clock to open the door before picking it up again.

The question was expected as their mom asked on how their final went.

Zack couldn't help the broad grin on his face as he proclaimed he got an A on the Woodshop final. He felt her arms wrapping him in a tight hug. The praise for his good work felt amazing but unfortunately was short-lived.

He could hear the tone of disappointment in Cody's voice as he said he got a C on the final. That wasn't what made Zack's heart plummet, not even the tight hug of comfort that their mom gave his younger brother. It was the offer to make him cookies.

All the pride that he had felt instantly vanished. Even when he had done a good job and gotten an A, it was always Cody that was the favorite. He tried to make sure that his voice didn't break when he asked why she didn't ever make cookies when he got a C. For him, getting a C was still an accomplishment.

The words only made him feel worse.

"There isn't enough dough in the world."

Zack could feel his eyes start to slightly water. The words were harsh, almost like he had been hit. He didn't even care that his door slightly slammed when he couldn't look at his mom hugging Cody any longer.

His side of the room was pretty messy, Cody would probably make a comment about it later. But even that couldn't make feel any better as he collapsed on his bed. His fingers clutching at his pillow as a few tears fell. It had been hard enough to keep them at bay. Had it been too much to ask that their mom be proud of him for once. But once again, it had always been Cody. He had even got a worse grade than him.

Soon enough he could feel someone sitting on his bed, since he had curled up into a ball.

"Leave me alone," Zack muttered, not caring how much his voice cracked.

"Zack, look at me," Cody's voice was pleading.

Zack didn't immediately turn to face his brother, knowing he'd know he had been crying. His brother was the one person he never wanted to see his weak side. He was supposed to be the stronger twin and be there for his younger brother, not the other way around. But he finally turned to look at him.

Cody was looking at him with a cookie in his hand, like a peace offering.

"Aren't those cookies, supposed to be for you," Zack snapped.

"You deserved it more. Don't worry, I made sure they didn't burn," Cody's voice was soft.

Zack took the cookie from his brother, it was still warm, so it meant it came out of the oven not too long ago. Which is probably why Cody hadn't come in their room after he had stormed out. He knew that Cody would have followed him, it was why he had felt worse when Cody hadn't. But he now understood why, and it made him feel a bit better.

"Yours taste better," was Zack's immediate comment after he took a bite. It was still soft enough and not quite crunchy yet. But his brother's cooking always tasted the best, despite the teasing he would do.

Cody gave a soft smile, "I didn't have time to make a fresh batch myself. But you should have gotten those cookies not me. I can make you some tomorrow."

"Not according to mom," Zack looked down. That part was still bothering him. He did perk up at the thought of getting some of Cody's cookies.

Though his attention was diverted back to his baby brother when he felt his arms wrap around him. He wasn't going to admit that this is probably what he needed right now as returned the hug.

"I'm still proud of you and you're still my older brother," Cody murmured. "And just think about what you can do in that advanced class! Though, I never really thought you were dumb."

"Could have surprised me."

"Zack, the only time I've said anything about you being dumb was when you were trying to help with the trip to Washington. Even I know you aren't dumb, some of your ideas may be. But that don't mean that you are. That was what I was trying to tell you earlier," Cody explained to him.

A small smile formed on Zack's face. He was glad that Cody was his younger twin as he curled into him. Even though it wasn't Cody that needed the comfort, he clutched his brother just as tightly.

"Love you, Zack."

"Love you, little brother."