AUTHOR'S NOTE: As always, it's much appreciated to everyone reading and to Braxton54, Bonnie Sveen Fan, and Guest for reviewing.
It is recess and the six friends are hanging out as usual. Casey is munching on his banana whilst talking to his friends about the latest video game he wanted called Hysteria, which was about an avatar navigating through an asylum to try and escape.
Kyle is munching on his rice crackers, while also reading over his Math notes again and mumbling on and off to himself about the different formulas.
Casey glances over and notices his older brother studying again.
"Ky, seriously? Dude your test is in like ten minutes and you're still revising? Haven't you memorised that whole notebook yet? Live a little; it's recess, you shouldn't be doing school work in our free break times," Casey teases and snatches Kyle's notebook out of his hand and closes it.
"Casey: don't!" Kyle snaps and jumps up from his seat as Casey playfully pulls away from him.
"Come on Ky, forget about studying and just talk with us," Casey says cheerfully.
"No. There's more to life than slacking off. Now give me back my notebook Casey!" Kyle orders.
Casey scowls and shoves the notebook back to Kyle.
"Fine: be a great big nerd then," Casey grumbles and plops himself down on the bench next to Romeo and finishes off his recess.
"I think it's pretty cool you can be so easily dedicated to your studies. Roo and Grumps are always telling me to be more dedicated with mine," Ryder comments.
"I understand where you are coming from, I was revising my notes all last night and getting Indi to test me," Dex adds.
Kyle's heart flutters at the mention of Indi's name and he smiles at his friends.
The end of recess bell rings and the boys pack away their lunch containers and belongings and all walk towards their classrooms.
The six friends stop when they reach the far corner of the building.
"See you at lunch," Dex announces and heads towards his advanced Math class.
Ryder and Romeo wave and head in the opposite direction to their intermediate class and Kyle makes his way upstairs to his expert advanced Math class.
Liam and Casey however stay behind and continue chatting for a few more minutes before being shifted off to their lowest level Math class down the stairs.
Mr. Guthrie looks over his glasses as Liam and Casey waltz into his class.
"Nice of you to join us, Mr. Braxton and Mr. Finley. Get and take your seats so we can begin the exam that has already been delayed from your tardiness," Mr. Guthrie says sternly.
Liam shrugs and Casey rolls his eyes as they take their seats at the back of the class.
"Grumpy old man," Casey mumbles and Liam smirks at his friend.
"Now I will hand out the tests and you will have forty minutes to complete it," Mr. Guthrie informs.
Meanwhile, in Kyle's class, Mrs. Marks is handing out the tests face down on each of her student's desks.
"Don't turn over your papers until I say. You will have forty-five minutes to complete the test and you are allowed to have your calculator, pens and pencils, and any other mathematical item on your desk. All other belongings must be in your bags; however, you are allowed a bottle of water on the desk in case you need it," Mrs. Marks informs.
Kyle neatly sets out his items on his desk and places his water bottle on the corner.
"Okay, you may turn your paper over and begin...now," Mrs. Marks says.
Kyle turns his paper over and writes his name at the top before casting his eyes down the page at some of the questions.
Kyle answers some of the questions with ease then suddenly his mind shifts from his focus on the Math questions to his big brother.
"Hey Bubs, guess what I did? You'll never guess because maybe I didn't even do anything," Heath chuckles.
Kyle shakes his head and stares at his pen, wondering if it is going to burst out with ink half-way through his exam, or explode and scare him out of his wits.
Kyle answers another few more questions but can't shake the thought of Heath giving him another painful wedgie like the one he was still feeling now as he shifts awkwardly in his seat. Focus Kyle, Kyle tells himself. Isosceles, Scalene, Pythagoras; why can't I remember any of this. I studied all this.
Kyle stops momentarily to grab his bottle of water, thinking that maybe a drink would help ease his mind, but as soon as Kyle uncaps his bottle, he second guesses his actions.
What if Heath had somehow tampered with his water bottle and filled it with salt or capfuls of vinegar?
Kyle closes up his bottle and forgets the idea of having a drink and attempts to focus back on his test.
He sees out of the corner of his eye that Isabelle had completed hers and is sitting back quietly in her chair and he could hear faint chatter from behind him from Haley, Zeke, and Damien about having finished the test and what a cinch it was.
"Quiet please; some students are still completing their tests," Mrs. Marks says in a soft tone, "You have five minutes left to finish up, and proof-read your answers."
Kyle's stomach turns. He has a few questions left to answer and quickly jots down random answers just to get the test complete as all his teachers always told him any answer was better than none.
"Okay, pens down please. I will come around and collect your papers," Mrs. Marks announces and starts to walk towards the first row of desks.
Mrs. Marks collects Isabelle's then Cole's and collects Kyle's test third.
Kyle hands the paper to his teacher and hangs his head, knowing he did not do as well as he had wanted, as he just could not get his mind of his worries over what Heath had planned for him next.
The end of lesson bell rings moments later and Kyle grabs his bag from the floor and makes his way towards the door.
He is pushed out of the way when Haley, Zeke, and Damien shove past to get out quicker.
"Move it, loser, or should I say king of the nerds? Seeing as you'll probably get your usual ninety-eight percent on today's test," Haley sniggers.
"Oh, please Haley; he's so small and weak, he's more like princess of the nerds," Zeke adds; howling with laughter.
"Maybe that's why he hangs out with those dork-us mates because he's such a fragile princess," Haley teases.
Kyle wants to fight back so much and say he wasn't some weak girl, or princess, but couldn't find the right words and just wanted to get away to his next class.
"Princess Shyly Kylie; you dweeb" Damien snickers, before shoulder bumping Kyle and following his friends down the corridor.
Kyle shuffles down the corridor and walks down the stairs towards his English class.
Once lunch commences, Kyle walks out of the classroom and walks towards the courtyard for lunch, this is when he meets up with Dex and Ryder and the three friends walk the rest of the way where they meet up with Casey, Liam and Romeo.
The latter three are discussing their separate English lesson when they reach the others.
Casey and Kyle pull out their lunch containers, along with Liam and Ryder, while Dex and Romeo head towards the canteen to buy their lunches.
When Dex and Romeo return, all six teens get stuck into their lunches.
"So, what did you all think about the Math exam?" Ryder asks.
"It was so hard," Casey complains, as he eats his muffin first.
"I totally agree. The algebra ones were the hardest. I mean what is the use of letters in an equation?" Liam comments.
Casey smiles in agreement and gives Liam a high-five.
"So true," Casey adds.
"I struggled with the Trigonometry ones in mine, all that sin and cos business," Ryder says.
"Fractions, is what always gets me," Romeo pipes up as he munches on his meat pie.
Dex looks at his friends sheepishly.
"I think I aced mine; it was simple," he whispers.
"You would say that. I'm surprised you're not in the expert advance with Kyle," Casey says with a laugh.
"I'm good but I'm not that good in math. Give me Science any day; now there's a class where Kyle and I give each other some stiff competition," Dex says as he shoulder-bumps Kyle, who is off in a world of his own.
"Yeah, the two of you are always getting the top two in Science. I never get a look in and it's never consistent either, with Dex coming first sometimes and Ky second and vice versa," Ryder comments, following it up with a laugh.
"How did you go with your test anyway Ky?" Romeo asks.
Kyle stops picking at his zucchini slice.
"Need you even ask? He always knocks it out of the park!" Casey shouts and stuffs a fork-full of his tin chicken into his mouth.
"Um...yeah fine I guess," Kyle mumbles.
"Modest as always," Liam jokes and nudges his friend.
The teens continue chatting until the end of lunch then make their way to their final two periods.
Brax pulls up outside the school and patiently waits for Kyle and Casey to say goodbye to their friends before getting into Brax's Ute: Casey in the front and Kyle quietly sitting in the back.
Casey is busy babbling away to Brax about his day at school, while Kyle stares out the window, trying to forget about his Math test and telling himself: nothing could be done about it now.
Brax smiles over at Casey.
"I'm glad you had a good day," he says and runs his hand over Casey's hair.
Brax then glances in his rear-view mirror and catches a glimpse of Kyle looking off in his own world.
"Is everything alright, Kyle?" Brax asks.
"Yeah; I'm just thinking," Kyle replies.
"What's new?" Casey jokes, but his comment is ignored by both brothers.
"How were the Math tests today?" Brax asks as he turns the street.
"So glad it's over! I think it just about killed my brain thinking about it!" Casey says with a moan.
"What about you Kyle?" Brax asked, after giving a chuckle towards Casey's comment.
"He aced it like always. I don't see why you even have to ask. Where are we going?" Casey butts in and quickly replies and asks his big brother as they head in the opposite street to their home.
Brax frowns at Casey.
"Let Kyle answer for himself. Even if he did flawlessly, he still deserves the chance to tell and we are going to the supermarket," Brax answers and glances back in his mirror at Kyle again.
"So, Kyle: your test?"
Kyle takes his attention from looking out the window. Having heard everything his brothers had said about him and his test, he didn't want to admit the truth: that he'd screwed it up and let Brax down, so Kyle half smiles and replies: "Yeah fine."
Brax pulls into a car space at the supermarket and the three get out and head inside.
Brax checks his list and grabs a trolley. Kyle shuffles behind his big brother and Casey, who is at the front of the trolley, dragging it along, until he stops to turn towards Brax.
"Brax, I just want to look around for some things, okay?" Casey tells.
Brax raises his brow at Casey and does not have a chance to reply when Casey takes off down the aisles.
Brax groans at Casey's exuberant energy and hopes he doesn't cause any disturbances to other shoppers.
Kyle walks next to Brax and takes a peek at the list in his hand.
"Can I help get some of the items?" Kyle mumbles.
"Sure, that would be a great help. Could you get the carrots, potatoes, and pumpkin for me?" Brax asks and Kyle nods and walks off towards the vegetable aisle.
Brax gets most of the shopping done quickly with Kyle's help and has only a few more items left when Casey returns, holding two big boxes of choc chip cookies, a large bag of potato chips and some salsa dip.
"Brax, can I get these please?" Casey asks.
"There are enough snacks at home," Brax responds.
"But Brax...I said please," Casey whines.
"I've told you before I won't have you living off junk food. There are plenty at home and I've already gotten you some crackers and small chips. Now go and put them back," Brax responds, a little more firmly.
Casey pouts and stalls.
"Can't I please just have one box of cookies? You've got so many other foods; what harm is a box of cookies?" Casey pleads, as he gestures to the trolley at the array of: cheeses, vegetables, fruits, yoghurts, meat, and other essential items.
"I said no: now put them back," Brax orders.
When Casey makes no attempt to move, Brax gives him a warning glare.
"Casey."
"Ugh: fine!" Casey huffs and storms off to return the junk food items to the shelf.
Brax sighs heavily, over how temperamental Casey could be sometimes.
"Is there anything else Brax?" Kyle asks.
"Um, yeah; I just need some milk, toothpaste, and laundry liquid and we're done," Brax announces.
"I can go and get the milk," Kyle offers.
Brax nods and gives Kyle a smile as he makes his way to grab the last two items.
Kyle returns with the milk and Brax looks around for any sight of Casey, wondering what is taking him so long.
Casey finally dawdles back with a grumpy scowl on his face and his arms crossed.
"Don't be like that Casey. Come on; let's get this paid for and go home," Brax says and the three head to the check-out.
The drive home is completely silent, apart from Brax's music playing in the background.
Kyle is focusing on the outside again while Casey is refusing to let go of his moody attitude.
Brax pulls into the driveway and Casey is quick to get out and slam his door and Brax gives Casey a hard glare.
Kyle is waiting for Brax to open his cover to help take the groceries inside. Kyle is finding that helping Brax with the shopping was really getting his mind off his test and he is willing to make sure that continues until he forgot about it completely.
"Come and help too Casey, please!" Brax calls out as he sees Casey making his way towards the house.
"Why do I have to?" Casey grumbles.
"Because I asked you to," Brax replies sternly.
Casey lets out a loud protesting groan and approaches the back of Brax's Ute.
Kyle takes a few of the lighter bags and Brax hands Casey a few of the slightly heavier bags.
He is leaving the super heavy ones for himself, but appreciated his younger brother's help with the bags they could carry, especially on a big grocery shopping day.
Casey huffs and moans, the entire time until he reaches just inside the door where he puts down the bags.
He notices Kyle not even struggling at once as he storms back out behind Kyle to get more grocery bags, only this time Casey makes a grab for the lighter bags.
"Wait, Casey; leave those ones for Kyle. Here take these," Brax says, smiling and handing Casey another two slightly heavier bags.
"Why can't I carry the light bags; why does Kyle always get too?" Casey complains.
Brax shakes his head.
"Just take the bags inside Casey," Brax orders.
"It's not fair, I should be allowed to carry the lightest bags; I'm the youngest!" Casey argues.
"Honestly, you are not arguing over shopping bags right now?" Brax huffs and Casey remains standing with a scowl on his face.
"Why do you think I make Kyle carry the lighter bags?" Brax asks.
"I don't know. Maybe because you love him more," Casey grumbles.
Brax's mouth opens in shock and as Casey begins to storm off, Brax rushes after him and grabs his arm.
"Oi: that is not true, and you know it! I love you both equally and the reason Kyle carries less is because he is smaller and not as strong in his arms," Brax informs sternly.
Casey stares down after his big brother's firm words.
"Don't you go saying a thing like that again; you understand?" Brax warns.
Brax lets Casey go and as Kyle walks back passed, Casey rolls his eyes.
"I get to carry heavy bags because my big brother is a weakling; just great!" Casey comments, making emphasis on the big.
"Casey, last warning: cut your attitude and do what I've asked, or you can forget about watching any TV tonight!" Brax yells; finally having enough of Casey's defiant behaviour.
Casey storms into the house and dumps the bags with the others and angrily flops on the couch; grabbing a surf mag off the table to read, to try and calm his mind down.
Kyle hangs his head sadly, feeling a little hurt by Casey's demeaning comment about him being weak. He knows Casey takes his moods out on him, and he is happy to be the big brother and be there for Casey if he is being moody sometimes, but the comments didn't hurt any less.
Kyle grabs the last of the light bags and upon walking up the path alongside Brax, the oldest speaks.
"Don't let Casey's comment get to you Kyle. You know he likes to spout his mouth off when he gets in a mood," Brax assures.
"Yeah, I guess," Kyle mumbles.
Brax groans as he and Kyle walk through the door, and he sees Casey on the couch.
Biting his tongue and reminding himself to pick his battles, Brax leaves Casey be and grabs the last of the grocery bags and begins unpacking them.
Kyle stays and helps Brax put away all the groceries.
"What are you making tonight, Brax?" Kyle asks, as he watches Brax put some vegetables and some beef mince on the counter.
"Meatloaf," Brax answers.
"Would you like some help preparing for dinner?"
Brax smiles and places his hand on Kyle's cheek.
"Nah: it's okay kiddo. I've appreciated all your help this afternoon already. If you haven't any homework, go and enjoy your afternoon," Brax replies.
Kyle's shoulder's slump but he does as Brax asks and heads off to his room to listen to some music.