Hiro woke up in the morning when he felt Tadashi shaking him.
His eyes opened to see Tadashi standing over him.
"Tadashi?" He rubbed his eyes as he sat up.
"Morning, Hiro," Tadashi said as his brother yawned.
Tadashi laughed and sat on the bed beside Hiro.
Hiro looked to the clock on the table and saw that it read 8:35.
"Are you going to school soon?" he asked as Tadashi looked at him.
Tadashi nodded. "Yeah, I'm about to head out. You good?"
"I'm fine, you go to your nerd school," Hiro said with a wave of his hand.
Tadashi grinned and ruffled his little brother's hair.
Hiro pushed Tadashi's hand away who chuckled as he stood.
"See you at 4 knucklehead," Tadashi said as he walked over to the staircase.
Hiro waved as his brother descended the staircase.
He got up and crouched down to pull a newly-finished Megabot from under his bed.
Hiro walked over to his desk and sat down as he inspected his invention.
He had finally put the finishing touches on the robot a few days ago when he found out what bot fighting was.
The idea excited him and also gave him hope.
If he could just win a few fights, he could get some money for his aunt.
Hiro set Megabot down on his desk as he pulled up a site he bookmarked with bot fights for the week.
After finishing Megabot, he decided to wait a few days before going bot fighting.
Hiro yawned and laid his head down on his arms.
A quick nap couldn't hurt.
Hiro snapped awake as he felt something smack his head.
He grabbed the back of his head and groaned.
The chair was spun around as he came face to face with Aunt Cass.
He cowered in the chair as his aunt glared daggers down at him.
"What the hell is this?" she asked holding Megabot in front his face.
Hiro gulped as he wracked his brain for an explanation.
"U-uh, it's just an invention," he said avoiding his aunt's gaze.
"An invention for bot fighting?! What is wrong with you?" Aunt Cass yelled.
Hiro's eyes widened. Crap, I left the site up.
He opened his mouth before Aunt Cass cut him off.
"I raised you for 10 years and this is what you've grown up to do? Why can't you go to college like your brother so you can get out of my hair?"
"Aunt Cass, I-" Hiro started before quickly shutting his mouth as Aunt Cass raised her hand.
She slapped his cheek before dropping Megabot.
Hiro whimpered quietly as his aunt seethed with anger.
"All you do is sit around like you own this place and I'm sick of it! I'm sick of you being a bum when you could stop being lazy for once and do something useful!"
Hiro felt a tear slip before he could stop it.
"I'm sorry, Aunt Cass. I-I'll find a school-"
"No, I don't want to hear it. You need to be disciplined. Get up."
Hiro quickly stood up as Aunt Cass grabbed his arm tightly.
She led him down the stairs and pointed to the couch. "Sit," she said curtly.
Hiro scrambled to get to the couch as his aunt briskly walked toward her room.
Hiro heard the clang of metal as he sat.
Every fiber of his being told him to get out of there as he realized what his aunt was getting.
She's going to whip me.
Hiro knew he had no chance if he was caught trying to escape.
He knew it was worth the risk if he could get out of here and get to Tadashi.
Hiro quietly stood up and tip-toed to the staircase.
He was halfway down the staircase when he felt something yank on his hoodie.
His blood turned cold as he heard a voice whisper in his ear.
"Upstairs, now."
Thanks to everyone who has read, reviewed, and favorited/followed. This story only has one more chapter and it's done. I'm glad people are enjoying this story!