Come the weekend, Heath stops by at the house again and gets the milk out of his brother's fridge and is about to drink out of it when he's stopped.
"No: Heath! We don't have much left and I need breakfast please!" Kyle begs as he reaches for the bottle of milk.
"But I want it, shrimp!" he argues back and glares down at his little brother who lowers his head and gives in.
There's no way he's arguing with his big brother. He hates doing it anytime so he's definitely not doing it now that Heath is pranking him and Casey nonstop again.
"Oi: what's going on here?" Brax demands.
Kyle doesn't say a word as he knows all it will get him is a retaliation from Heath.
"Is that our milk?" Brax asks, groaning.
When Heath doesn't answer Brax snatches the bottle out of Heath's hand and gives it to Kyle.
Heath glares at Kyle, all he wanted was some milk, but of course Kyle is more important.
"Brax, I need it more than the kid! He's barely 55 kgs and only 160cm tall; he's a baby!" Heath argues.
Kyle looks down in shame. He hates being as small as he is. It only makes it easier for his brothers to tease him.
"You have food in the flat and he lives here. Besides, he's a growing boy and needs food! Also don't call him a baby, Heath, just because he may be small! He's already started his growth spurt, and he'll get taller!" Brax argues, sick of Heath taking food from their place when he has food in the flat.
"Fine! Enjoy your breakfast princess, Kylie," Heath barks, as he shoulder-barges past his brother, leaving Kyle to massage his shoulder.
He looks back at his little brother and decides he's going to teach his little brother a lesson on why not to be a baby.
Brax glares at Heath who he can see is glaring at Kyle and this causes Heath to finally walk away.
Brax then looks back at Kyle and smiles down at him.
"You okay kiddo?" he asks.
Kyle nods his head in reply and Brax ruffles up his hair.
Kyle pours himself a bowl of cereal and then sits down to eat it, soon Casey joins him.
"Any milk left?" he asks.
Kyle hands over the bottle of milk with a smile.
"Only because Brax stopped Heath stealing it," Kyle mumbles.
"He's such a greedy jerk! Why does he always have to do that?" Casey spits, to which Kyle shrugs.
The two boys eat the remainder of their breakfast in silence, and once Kyle finishes his cereal, he puts his dirty dishes in the sink he makes his way to the bathroom to clean his teeth and cleanse his face.
On his way to the bathroom, he passes his older brother, who had been in the bathroom checking out his flexing muscles after plotting his lesson.
"Was the milk good, Kylie?" he asks, glaring down at him.
Kyle tries to run for the bathroom but is gripped around the waist and pulled back.
Heath sticks his pinky finger in his mouth and then puts it in Kyle's ear and twists.
"Heath!" Kyle whines.
Heath then pulls his finger out and twists his little brother around so that he's facing him.
"That's what you get for being a baby: now scram; before you get one in the other ear," Heath threatens.
Kyle quickly runs away to the bathroom leaving Heath to grin.
Kyle is rubbing his ear that is now blocked, wondering why Heath always has to do this sort of stuff to him.
He puts some toothpaste on his toothbrush and then turns the tap on and water goes everywhere.
"Ahhhhhh!" Kyle yells as he reaches out and turns the tap off.
He looks around and notices that the water sprayed everywhere, all over the mirror and all over him; his jeans got soaked.
All of his brothers run into the bathroom to see the commotion and Kyle blushes.
He looks down at his pants absolutely humiliated; it seriously looks like he's wet himself.
"Geez Spooky, I know you watch baby shows and act like a bit of a baby, but I never expected you to actually turn into a baby," Heath says howling with laughter, this prank turned out way better than he expected.
"Heath, I told you not to call him that!" Brax snaps.
Heath quickly takes a photo of his little brother before Brax gives him a shove out the door then walks over to the tap to inspect it.
Casey looks sadly at Kyle who looks miserable.
Brax thinks he knows how this happened, it's the oldest trick in the book, he remembers he used to play it on Heath when the two youngest were just toddlers.
He takes the tape off the tap and turns to glare at the oldest of his brothers.
"Was this really necessary?" he demands.
He just didn't see what Heath got out of this prank.
"No, but it is hilarious! Look at his pants, it seriously looks like this kid has wet himself," Heath says howling with laughter, he then walks away.
Brax grabs Kyle's chin so that he's looking at him.
"You okay, Ky? You do have another clean pair of jeans you can change into; don't you?"
Kyle replies by nodding his head.
"Yeah, my washing is all up to date," he replies, causing Brax to smile down at him.
Of course, his little brother had spare clothes as he's always organised.
Kyle walks into his bedroom to get a clean pair of jeans, and on his bed, he sees a small box.
He walks over to it and opens it carefully, in case it could be another prank, but it wasn't.
In the box is a pacifier and a note: For baby, Kylie.
Kyle picks up the pacifier and throws it across the room and runs his hands over his face; when is Heath going to stop?
Kyle got himself up early at nine o'clock on Sunday morning. The only day he allowed himself to sleep in.
After getting dressed, Kyle heads out to the kitchen to grab some breakfast.
Brax is already sitting at the table drinking his coffee and flicking through the paper.
"Morning Brax," Kyle greets and gets himself a bowl of cereal.
"Morning; you sleep alright?" Brax replies.
"Yeah, pretty good last night for a change," Kyle answers.
Brax nods.
"Is it okay if I go to the library with Dex this morning? We want to work on our Science project," Kyle asks.
"Sure. I know you've completed all your other homework, so you are free to do as you please."
"Thanks Brax. I won't be gone all day."
"Is Casey up yet?" Brax asks.
Kyle shakes his head.
"Nah, but since when is Casey up earlier than ten on a Sunday?"
Brax laughs at his youngest brother who wasted his Sundays lazing in bed most of the time.
Kyle gets up and washes his bowl then grabs what he needs and heads out to meet Dex at Summer Bay Library.
Brax finishes his coffee and paper and is about to start on the laundry when the home phone rings and Brax answers.
"I don't think he's awake yet, Romeo, but let me check. No, his mobile is dead," Brax says and checks Casey's mobile that is left on the table.
Brax walks down to his brother's room and opens the door.
"Casey, Romeo is on the phone," Brax informs.
Casey groans and sits up as Brax hands him the phone.
"You need to remember to charge your mobile before you leave it on the table before bed," Brax firmly informs in a soft tone.
"Okay Brax, I know; I just forgot," Casey whispers back while holding the receiver end of the phone so Romeo didn't hear.
Once Brax leaves, Casey turns his attention back to the phone.
"It's Sunday and it's not even ten yet. What are you waking me for?" Casey grumbles.
Romeo speaks telling Casey about the forecast for the perfect waves.
"How epic?" Casey replies; now becoming fully awake.
"Okay I'll grab my board and meet you there! Bye!"
Casey hangs up the phone and jumps out of bed, quickly dressing into his swim shorts.
Casey rushes out to the laundry to grab his surfboard and almost runs into Brax who has now gone in to do the laundry.
"You were pretty speedy to get up after that call from Romeo. What's the rush?" Brax asks.
"The surf is pumping, and I don't want to miss out," Casey replies.
"Did you have any breakfast?"
Casey shuffles his feet.
"I don't have time, besides you're not meant to eat before surfing!" Casey exclaims.
"Well make sure you take something to eat," Brax orders.
Casey nods, but in reality, it was going in one ear and out the other as the young teen was just anxious to get out and beat his friend in the waves.
"Okay, well, have you done all your homework?" Brax asks.
Casey groans, becoming more impatient and shifting on his feet.
"Brax," he moans.
"Well, have you?" Brax questions sternly as he folds a tee shirt.
"I've done most of it. Please Brax. I know your rule about homework before going out, but please Brax, just this once. I won't be gone all day and I promise, promise to finish it all when I get home," Casey begs.
"What makes you think I should believe that?"
"Because I'm your little brother and you love me enough to say yes," Casey pleads.
Brax huffs and continues to fold clothes.
"You can watch me if you don't think I'll do it. Please, I don't want to miss the surf. You understand about a good surf," Casey moans.
Brax smiles, "Well alright. I'm holding you to that promise. Go and have fun."
"Thanks Brax; you're the best!"
"I try to be," Brax mumbles to himself.
Casey is quick to rush out the door with his surfboard and completely forgetting Brax's order to take something for breakfast.
A few hours later, Casey walks back into the house with his surfboard under his right arm.
He is drained from his vigorous surf session and competition he had with Romeo on who could ride the biggest wave the longest.
Casey regretted forgetting his sports drink in the haste to get to the beach, when he got out of the water as he was thirsty and parched.
Casey replaces his surfboard back in the laundry and makes his way back inside.
Heath hears his baby brother return and wanting to annoy him, makes his way from his flat and across the hall into Brax's house.
Casey sighs when he spots his prankster brother.
Brax is nowhere in sight, but Casey figures he is busy organising his bedroom as his Ute is still in the driveway.
"What's the matter baby bro?" Heath asks, noticing Casey's hot and bothered appearance.
"Nothing, I'm just thirsty from surfing. I forgot my sports drink," Casey replies and makes a grab for the fridge door to grab his drink.
Heath leaps into action and stops his brother opening the door.
Heath thought of an even better plan to execute his next prank than his original idea of changing the juice to jelly.
Heath slaps Casey on the back and guides him over to the table and pulls out a chair.
"Leave everything to me and put your feet up baby bro. I don't want you getting all exhausted and then collapsing on me," Heath says.
Casey scowls and looks at the chair.
"What did you do? Did you put glue on the chair or something, or nails so I'd sit on them and get a sore butt?" Casey asks with scepticism.
Heath chuckles and shakes his head.
"Would I do that?"
Casey looks up with dreary eyes and sighs.
"Just sit Casey. Can I not just care for my little brother like old times?" Heath asks and gives Casey a shove.
Too tired and thirsty, Casey let Heath push him down into the seat.
While Casey rubs his hands over his hot, exhausted face, Heath grabs out Casey's sports drink and pops the lid.
Making sure Casey isn't looking, Heath tips two heaped teaspoons of salt into the drink before screwing on the lid and quickly passing it to Casey as a peace offering.
Desperate to quench his thirst, Casey opens his drink and greedily takes a large gulp.
When the liquid hits his taste buds, Casey gags and spits his drink onto the table and spilling the rest, as he gets up from the table in haste to rush towards the sink to gag and spit.
Heath is faster and grabs Casey by the waist and picks him up before he could reach the sink.
"Not so fast little brother, you have to clean up this mess you made on the table," Heath says and carries Casey back to the table.
"Ah! Let me go. I'm going to be sick!" Casey shouts and hits Heath on the arm as he continues to cough.
Heath tightens his grip on Casey, chuckling as Casey is shaking his head in disgust over the strong salt taste lingering on his tongue and the back of his throat.
"I'll vomit on you!" Casey spits loudly.
"You try little bro and it'll be the last thing you do!" Heath warns harshly.
Hearing a commotion, Brax drops his coat hangers that he is fixing in his bedroom wardrobe and rushes out to the source of the noise.
"What's going on?" Brax demands.
Heath instantly releases Casey who has a disgusted look on his face and races to the sink to spit and gag.
Brax frowns and walks behind Casey, rubbing his back comfortingly.
"You okay?" he quietly asks Casey.
"Heath, what did you do?" Brax demands; glaring at Heath as he continues to rub Casey's back.
Casey dry heaves and brings up a little bit of liquid vomit.
Heath gives a shrug.
"Why do you think I did something?"
"Because you did!" Casey yells between gagging and vomiting some more.
"Heath, answer me: what the hell did you do?" Brax yells.
"I just put a little salt in his sports drink. How was I to know he was going to be sick?" Heath replies in defence.
"You work in a gym; you should know better that that's not good, and especially with a teenager," Brax scolds.
"I mean look at him. Anyone can clearly see he's not well with this drawn-out expression and clammy skin."
Brax reaches his free hand around to check Casey's temperature by placing his hand on Casey's forehead.
"I'm not sick. I just didn't have anything to drink, and I was thirsty when I came home. Romeo and I probably hit it too hard with the competitions we had in the surf," Casey brokenly explains.
"Hmm, you and I might have to have a little chat about that then," Brax informs.
He is certain Casey knew well enough not to go playing sports or surfing without drinking adequately but maybe a small reminder is needed; after all Casey is still a young teen that needs guidance.
Casey vomits again and groans, holding his quivering abdomen, that is also unsettled from skipping breakfast.
The state of his sick brother only makes Brax angrier, and he glares at Heath again.
"Sometimes I wonder if you have any brains, Heath!" Brax states.
Heath huffs with annoyance at being insulted.
"Well, that's a nice thing to say; isn't it?" Heath scoffs.
Brax glares at the second eldest, causing Heath to give in.
"Alright, it was a stupid idea. I'm sorry Case, I never meant to make you sick," Heath half apologises.
Casey twists around and glares at Heath.
"Why can't you go away and leave us alone for a change! You don't even live here; you have your own place!" Casey grumbles.
Brax sighs, still comforting his sick baby brother.
"He has a good point. You hang around here too often when you only live next door," Brax adds.
"Fine, I can take a hint. My job here is done anyway," Heath grumbles.
On his way back to his flat, Heath sees Kyle coming up the walkway to the house.
"Hey Bubs," Heath greets and grabs Kyle's shoulder, giving it a squeeze before ruffling up Kyle's hair.
The older teen moves away with a scowl on his face and notices Heath's grumpy look as Heath proceeds to enter his flat and shut the door.
Brax is busy cleaning up the spilt mess on the table and on the floor when Kyle walks in.
"You're back early. Did you get your project done?" Brax asks.
"Um, yeah: mostly. We had to stop because Dex got a call from his Dad, and had to go help out at home. He's taken the project home to finish the last bits of his part and is bringing it into school tomorrow. I just hope it's enough to please Mr. Lambert," Kyle explains; still quizzically staring at Brax cleaning up the spillage.
"I'm sure it will be," Brax assures with a smile and stands up, placing the used paper towels into the bin.
"What were you doing the project on again?" Brax asks.
"We built a volcano and we're going to be explaining how the lava works within an active volcano by showing our own chemical reaction that forms a gas which will release our fake lava," Kyle explains proudly.
Brax smiles and beams with pride at his super smart little brother.
"Sounds like you got some tricky work," Brax comments.
"Making it and researching facts is the easy part. Dex and I have to do an oral presentation on it, and you know how I hate doing oral presenting," Kyle replies and hangs his head; he always ends up shaking and quivering his voice in oral exams.
Brax squeezes Kyle's shoulder.
"I'm sure you'll be fine Kyle, just focus on your facts," Brax assures.
Kyle nods and starts rattling off facts he had obtained through his research.
"Did you know that the lava in a volcano can be as hot as one thousand and two hundred degrees and the force of it can be equal to a million nuclear bombs."
Brax laughs and shakes his head.
"Didn't know that," he responds.
"And some volcanoes have been known to destroy Islands if they erupt with so much power as they basically blow apart," Kyle explains.
"See you've impressed me already. I'm sure you'll do fine tomorrow," Brax praises.
Casey, who is making his way out of the bathroom after having cleaned himself up, walks into the middle of Kyle's conversation and groans loudly.
"Urgh: tell him to stop talking about school and Science," Casey complains.
Brax laughs and Kyle rolls his eyes.
"You might learn something from Kyle's raving on, kiddo."
Casey flops down into the dining room chair.
"And maybe I'll just learn ways to cut off my hearing," Casey grumbles.
"You could benefit; even if you don't think so, considering I know you are covering about Pompeii in your History class, and you should know Pompeii was destroyed by a volcano in seventy-nine AD, because the volcano's energy was so powerful it was stronger than an atomic bomb. It was the worst in history and left Pompeii covered in layers of ash," Kyle informs.
"Urgh: stop!" Casey moans and covers his ears.
"That's enough now Ky," Brax says, smiling at the older teen before putting his attention on the youngest.
"How are you feeling now?" Brax asks as he gently runs his hand over Casey's head and forehead.
Kyle instantly furrows his brow and becomes protective, feeling guilty for bragging information at Casey.
"What happened; are you okay, Case? I didn't realise you were sick before I left this morning. Sorry," Kyle says in haste.
"I wasn't sick, at least not until I came home from my surf and Hurricane Heath tricked me with my sports drink when he added salt to it and because I was thirsty, I swallowed a huge gulp," Casey exclaims.
Kyle scrunches his nose; unable to imagine what that would have tasted like.
"I didn't drink enough so that's why I got sick on top of Heath's prank," Casey explains.
"And you are not going to do that again are you? Or you will find me having to supervise you when you go out to surf, huh?" Brax informs.
Casey shakes his head.
Brax wanders over to the fridge and pulls out the small bottle of jelly juice ready to pour Casey a glass when he notices the stiffness inside the bottle and growls.
He thinks to himself he would have to remember to smack Heath over the head with it later.
Brax puts it aside and reaches to grab another bottle, this time of apple and mango juice.
Quickly making Casey a vegemite sandwich as well, Brax then places the sandwich and juice in front of his baby brother.
"Get this into you; it should make you feel better, especially after I know you left without taking anything to eat like I told you," Brax instructs.
Casey stares down sheepishly.
"I really didn't want to miss the waves," Casey mumbles.
"Besides the point," Brax flatly replies.
Casey drinks down his juice and demolishes his sandwich within minutes; instantly feeling better as his stomach settles.
Brax takes the plate and glass away and grabs a bottle of water to place in front of Casey this time.
"If you're feeling better, how about you finish that homework you had left?" Brax suggests.
Casey groans and Brax gives a chuckle, as he lightly scratches Casey on the head.
"A promise is a promise, Case."
"Figures you wouldn't forget that," Casey mumbles.
"Maybe Kyle would be able to help you?" Brax suggests.
"I don't really want to hear him going on about his Science project again or some other historical fact. I get enough of that from real school. I don't need it from my brother too, even if he is the biggest genius nerd and practically a walking encyclopedia. Sorry Ky, no offence," Casey says.
"None taken," Kyle replies with a slight sarcastic groan.
"Well, whatever you decide: get your work done," Brax says, giving Casey a smile.
Casey groans and lazily opens up his Maths book.
"So many letters that don't make sense," Casey moans.
Kyle smiles and approaches the table.
"Did you want some help? I promise I won't bore you with any encyclopedia facts," Kyle jokes.
Casey smiles in reply.
"I'd like that. Thanks Ky."
"Anytime little brother," Kyle replies and sits down next to Casey and begins explaining the Algebra questions.