Kyle and Casey make their way home from school the following day, discussing their reports along the way as it was half yearly report time and they had been given their reports during the sixth period in a year assembly.
"I just know Brax is going to lecture me about my report," Casey moans.
"You can't be sure of that," Kyle assures.
"That's all good for you to say; you always get good marks. Maybe he won't ask and I can say the school decided to change and not give us any," Casey says.
Kyle chuckles, "You know that Brax won't buy that and besides Heath is going out with the school Principal so she's bound to have told them anyway."
"Yeah, you're right; as always," Casey groans in response as the two teens walk up the driveway into their house.
Brax is already home, having had a day off work and greets his younger brothers as they walk through the door.
"How was school today?"
"It was good," Kyle replies.
"Yeah, okay," Casey adds quietly.
Both teens head into the kitchen to grab an afternoon snack. Kyle grabs a muesli bar and some strawberries and grapes, while Casey grabs two pieces of bread and makes himself a vegemite sandwich and grabs an apple.
"Do you boys have something to hand to me and show?" Brax prompts.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Casey cheekily replies, with his mouth full of apple.
"Nice try, but I know it's report day," Brax replies casually.
Kyle puts his snack down on the table and grabs his school bag.
"Here is mine," he says and hands Brax his report card.
Casey sighs and reluctantly grabs his report card from his bag and hands it over.
"Thank you. I'll give these a read through and then we'll discuss them before dinner. Now I did promise you boys you both could decide on a take away meal when your reports came in, so I suggest you both have a discussion while I look these over and let me know," Brax informs.
Kyle nods and takes his seat at the table, while Casey watches his big brother take the reports into the lounge room and sit down on the couch.
Casey slumps down in the dining room chair and finishes his apple and sandwich.
"I can't tell; is he mad?" Casey whispers; not taking his eyes off Brax.
"He doesn't seem to be," Kyle replies, glancing over at Brax.
"He keeps comparing them. I bet he's wishing I was more like you and getting super genius grades," Casey moans.
"Stop worrying about it; maybe he's just seeing what the teachers say about us," Kyle encourages.
Casey growls, and plops his head on the table.
"He must hate having such a dumb little brother like me," Casey sulks.
Kyle sighs and rubs Casey's back.
"No he doesn't. Brax doesn't think like that, so don't say that. You know you can't help being dyslexic," Kyle comforts.
Casey shrugs his shoulders and looks up pitifully at Kyle.
"As Brax always says: as long as you try, that's all that matters, and I know for a fact you've tried," Kyle says soothingly.
"Thanks," Casey mumbles and gives Kyle a weak smile.
A short while later Brax gets up from the couch and approaches Kyle and Casey still sitting at the dining table and places both reports down on the table.
"Okay lets discuss these reports," Brax announces.
Casey lets out a big groan.
"Why do we have too? You're just going to tell me I'm not trying and that I've let you down because I didn't do any good," Casey mumbles.
Brax raises his brow.
"I'd thank you not to tell me what I will or will not say and despite your grades I am very proud of both of you," Brax praises.
"You have to say that. It's clear from that, that I'm an imbecile," Casey spits out in a sad tone.
Kyle frowns as he looks at Casey and Brax gives a quizzical look.
"No, Casey. I do not have to say that. Where are all these ideas coming from?" Brax questions with concern.
Casey stares down at the table pondering over the thoughts in his head as Kyle takes the opportunity to blurt out what happened.
"He was picked on by some kids in my advanced Science class one day when he was waiting for me."
"Kyle, shut up," Casey growls; he was embarrassed and didn't want anyone else to know.
"When was this?" Brax asks sternly.
"It was about a couple of months ago," Kyle explains; ignoring Casey's glare.
"Why wasn't I told this?" Brax asks.
Kyle is lost for what to say and after a few silent moments, and Brax intensely staring at the boys waiting for an answer, Casey sighs heavily.
"I was embarrassed, okay? It made me feel stupid."
Brax shakes his head, ready to convince his brother that wasn't true, when Kyle interrupts.
"I handled it," he says.
"Hmm, handled it how, might I ask?"
Kyle shifts in his seat.
"I just told them that Casey was a better person than them any day," Kyle explains; leaning over and wrapping his arm around Casey's shoulders.
Casey smiles at his older brother.
"Thanks, Ky."
Brax gives a satisfying nod before reaching over to squeeze Casey's hand.
"I don't want you saying that about yourself Casey; do you understand?"
Casey nods.
"I guess," he mumbles.
"Good. Now because you are so eager to rest your mind over your report, let's discuss yours first," Brax announces and rests back in his chair; holding up Casey's report card.
Kyle moves away from his hold on Casey and rests back in his seat.
"Now you got four D's: one for Math, Science, English, and HSIE which isn't great but slightly better than your yearly report last year, and a C in drama and woodwork; Industrial Arts, is very good. As the comments for each of those states, you've got a good understanding of the course and are very good when it comes to the practical lessons. However your grade in PDHPE I am most proud of: a B, with the one C in the theory section. The teacher has commented: Casey has ideal skills in the practical aspect of this subject but could do with paying more attention to the theory."
Casey gives a shrug, expecting Brax to be more disappointed, however the oldest Braxton smiles proudly.
"Overall, I'm impressed and if you keep this up you'll actually do really well with the end of year report," he praises.
"See, I told you it wasn't so bad," Kyle says as he fist bumps Casey in the arm.
Casey gives a weak smile, just as Brax picks up Kyle's report card.
"As for you Kyle, getting pretty much straight A's in all your subjects, bar PDHPE where you got the C, I am very proud of you and Bianca has written quite positive remarks over your report, with: Kyle shows incredible amount of skill in his studies and is hardworking and has a willingness to never give up in his school efforts, which will lead to a great attribute for when he goes further in life."
"Didn't you notice the part in the sub category where Mrs. Marks gave me in Math an A minus?" Kyle asks with concern.
Brax raises his brow.
"What's your point? That's still a very good mark," Brax replies.
"It could have been better had I not done terrible in the Math test," Kyle answers sadly.
"You did far better than me Einstein, so stop being such a perfectionist," Casey says.
"I'm not. I'm just...It brings down my Math mark is all," Kyle replies.
"I thought we talked about that, Kyle? I get that your Math exam was thirty percent of your mark, but you still got a good grade, so don't beat yourself up about it kiddo," Brax says in earnest.
Kyle shrugs but nods his head with agreement.
"It's just Maths is my best subject," Kyle mumbles.
Casey returns the fist bump to Kyle's arm.
"See, Brax agrees that you're smart and you're already in the super, super advanced class; you have nothing to worry about, especially when you did far better than me," Casey tells Kyle.
Brax shakes his head.
"Well, never mind, you both did very well. Now I believe a reward is in order," Brax announces as he reaches into his pants pocket to pull out his wallet.
Casey hangs his head. It was one of those times that Casey was renowned for getting jealous of Kyle as Brax always gave more money for good report cards and with Kyle always getting top marks, Casey was left only receiving five to seven dollars compared to Kyle's constant ten.
Brax pulls out a ten dollar note and hands it to Kyle.
"As always an excellent report, means a ten dollar reward," Brax states.
"Thanks," Kyle says, appreciatively; planning on saving the bonus money for more LEGO sets along with his other savings in his money box from his allowance.
Casey starts to fidget in his seat, feeling the irritability rise over seeing Kyle receive a ten dollar note.
Brax reaches back into his wallet and retrieves another ten dollar note and thrusts it in Casey's direction.
Casey's eyes gleam as he takes the ten dollars.
"You mean...I got ten bucks? Why? I mean I didn't do great like Kyle," Casey questions in confusion.
Brax smiles, "You got ten dollars because I know how much you did try and you have improved."
Casey develops a wide grin as he stares at the blue coloured note in his hand.
"Thank you Brax; you're the best!" Casey beams.
"I wouldn't go that far; don't give me a big head," Brax jokes.
"I got as much as you Ky," Casey states excitedly.
Kyle smiles at his younger brother's joy.
"Now excitement aside, did you both decide on something for dinner?" Brax asks.
The two teens nod.
"We both decided Subway if that's okay?" Kyle answers.
"Sure thing, just let me get a piece of paper to write down your requests," Brax replies and gets up from the table and pulls out a notepad from the kitchen drawer before returning to his seat.
"Okay, what would you like Casey?"
Feeling hungry despite his afternoon snack, Casey answers.
"Can I get a footlong on white bread with meatballs, bacon, lettuce, cheese, and smoky barbecue sauce?"
Brax jots down the order then turns to Kyle.
"Ky: your order?"
"May I please get a wrap with lettuce, cucumber, tomato, cheese, avocado, and roast chicken, with pesto mayo?" Kyle replies, using more manners than Casey.
"Okay and I'll have beef shreds with lettuce, tomato, and spinach with some ranch dressing on a wholemeal foot long, today I think," Brax says and jots down his order too.
"Alright, well I might go and grab our order. Are you boys right for a short while?"
"Yeah, we'll be fine," Kyle answers.
"We can play some Xbox," Casey adds.
Brax smiles at both his brothers and ruffles both their hair before exiting the house.
"Come on: let's go play Lego Batman," Casey prompts and races over toward the Xbox console. Kyle follows suit and the two teens sit down on the couch playing.
Brax returns half an hour later carrying the Subway meals and a large white cardboard box.
"Okay boys, turn your game off now; dinners here," Brax announces and walks over to the table where he places down the dinner before placing the white cardboard box in the fridge.
In typical fashion of a starving teen, Casey throws down his control and runs over to the table.
Kyle sighs and shakes his head at Casey's eagerness for food.
Being left to pack up the Xbox game, Kyle switches off the game and places both controllers on top of the player before joining his brothers at the table.
Casey instantly sits down at the table and grabs his Subway.
"Casey, don't snatch," Brax says with a frown.
"I'm hungry," Casey whines and opens up his roll.
Brax shakes his head and sits down, just as Kyle too takes his seat at the table.
Kyle politely grabs his wrap and Brax grabs his roll.
After all three finish Brax stands and heads over to the fridge where he pulls out the white cardboard box and places it on the table.
"This is for dessert as well as congratulations on the reports," Brax states and opens up the box to reveal a chocolate cheesecake.
"Oh: yum!" Casey exclaims; eager to dig in.
"That looks really nice. Thanks Brax," Kyle adds.
"You're welcome," Brax replies, smiling before grabbing out three plates and spoons and a knife.
As Brax places a slice of cake down for each of his brothers and himself, the front door opens and Heath walks in.
"Say I heard about the school half yearly's; Bianca called me and told me how you two went. Nerdy smarts as always Kyle and you've improved a bit in some of your subjects Case," Heath says, feeling proud.
Heath then casts his eyes on the cake on the table.
"What's this; cheesecake without me?" Heath snickers.
Casey makes a move to protect his slice from being attacked by Heath.
"It's to celebrate their reports. Grab a plate and spoon if you want some," Brax replies.
Heath snickers.
"Don't mind if I do."
Casey drops his spoon temporarily to have a sip of his milk and Heath takes the opportunity to grab Casey's spoon and scoff down a mouthful of cake.
Casey instantly scowls at Heath.
"Don't! Brax, tell Heath not to eat my cake; that was mine!" Casey whines.
Kyle eyes Heath wondering when it was his turn to be pestered.
"Don't be a baby, Case," Heath laughs.
"Mate, I've told you not to go eating Kyle and Casey's food," Brax says firmly as Heath shrugs.
"He won't miss one bite," Heath defends.
Just as Kyle is about to eat another bite, Heath roughly ruffles both Casey and Kyle's hair. The movement causes Kyle to miss his mouth and the spoonful of cake ends up splattered on the side of his mouth.
Heath lets out a loud laugh.
"Can't shovel it in fast enough Kylie, you miss your mouth completely?"
"Heath!" Brax scolds, with a stern eyebrow raise.
"What? I'm just having a joke," Heath argues.
Kyle pouts and angrily wipes the cake from his face with his napkin.
Casey glares at his other brother, concluding how Heath could be so annoying.
Heath rests a firm hand on both his little brother's backs.
"Is Friday still on for my dinner date with Bianca here?" Heath asks.
"I keep my word. It will be all good. I will look after you and Bianca so you have a good night," Brax replies and gets up to put his plate in the sink.
Casey smirks as he scoffs the rest of his cake down; he had just thought of a brilliant idea.
That night as Kyle and Casey are getting themselves ready for bed, Casey flops himself down on his bed.
"I have a great plan for getting Heath back!" Casey exclaims, but quietly enough so as to not alert Brax still in the lounge room.
"How do you mean?" Kyle asks.
As much as he wasn't a fan of revenge he had to admit Heath was getting on his nerves and the idea of payback was appealing.
"Heath's date night with Bianca: wouldn't it be so funny Heath being embarrassed in front of her, just like he embarrasses us?" Casey suggests.
"Yeah I guess, but how do you suppose we do that when it's being held here at the house and Brax will be home too," Kyle answers with a shrug.
"That's where you'd come in. You could be the distracter while I hide some gags around like fake bugs, stink bombs and whoopee cushions," Casey explains.
"I don't know about this, Case. I really want to get revenge on Heath, but I don't want another wedgie. The one he gave me not long ago was the worst ever," Kyle says hesitantly.
Casey rolls his eyes.
"Stop being such a scaredy cat, besides you do realise Heath will give you another wedgie whenever he feels like it anyway? At least make it a reason for him to do so; let him suffer for a change," Casey encourages as he notices his older brother's nervousness over the idea.
Kyle smirks.
"I guess that would teach Heath a lesson for annoying us all the time."
"Exactly!" Casey agrees excitedly.
"We don't have any of those jokes lying around though," Kyle states.
"Well duh, we can go after school tomorrow and buy everything we need. We can use our report card money and any other money," Casey replies and reaches beside his bed to pull out his money box.
Casey empties his money box contents onto his bed.
"I have twenty dollars, including the ten dollars from tonight, but if we want this to be epic we need more cash," Casey states and smiles eagerly at Kyle.
"How did I know you were going to ask me that?" Kyle sighs.
"Come on Ky; it's for a good cause. I know you have money saved up, as well as the ten dollars Brax gave you tonight too," Casey pleads.
"Yeah but I save that up so I can buy the AT-AT from the Star Wars Lego set, like Dex has. It's over a thousand pieces and has all these components to it. I had so much fun building Dex's one with him and want one for myself," Kyle protests.
Casey rolls his eyes, clearly uninterested by Kyle's LEGO talk.
"All that makes no sense to me Ky, they're just a bunch of little bricks that stick together. Anyway, you can save for that anytime. Or just ask Brax to buy it for your birthday or Christmas," Casey replies casually.
"Brax has also encouraged saving to buy our own things," Kyle replies.
"Come on Ky, please; I need you. Twenty dollars isn't going to buy all the gags we need. You want Heath to pay right?"
"Yeah of course I do. Why don't you have any more money?" Kyle asks.
"Because if I did I would miss out on sports games, movies, and the arcade," Casey says, stating the obvious.
Kyle rolls his eyes.
"Fine," he agrees and goes over to his dresser drawer and pulls out his money box.
Kyle pulls out thirty-five dollars out of his fifty five dollars saved up, before heading back to his bed and waving it in front of Casey.
"This is all I have, along with the ten dollars from tonight. Why do I have to put so much of my money in just because you haven't saved; it's not fair?" Kyle asks with a frown.
"If it stresses you so much I'll pay you back."
Kyle shakes his head, knowing full well Casey wasn't known for paying back money.
"What if I make your bed for a week?" Casey suggests.
Kyle remembers a time before when Casey did an IOU for his chores and as much as Casey's heart was in the right place, the teen was a bit of a slob when it came to making his bed.
"No, forget it," Kyle grumbles, admitting defeat on his loss of money.
Casey snatches the money from Kyle's hand and adds it to his pile.
"Trust me Kyle, this will be worth it and any money we don't use you can have it back; deal?"
Kyle nods. The teens hear a knock on their door and Casey scrambles to shove the money under his blanket, just as Brax opens the door and walks in.
"Time for bed, my kiddos," Brax announces.
Kyle gets himself under his covers and Casey follows, being extra careful not to let the money fall out and have Brax asking questions.
"Have a good sleep," Brax says, smiling at both his teenage brothers and reaching over to rub his hand over each of their heads.
"Goodnight. Thanks again for dinner and dessert," Kyle says.
"Goodnight," Casey adds.
Brax leaves the room and shuts the door.
Casey sits up and gathers all the money under his blanket.
"I can't wait till tomorrow afternoon and we go shopping for supplies. This prank is going to be so awesome," he whispers.
"I hope you're right. Goodnight Case," Kyle says with a yawn.
Casey mumbles a goodnight before closing his eyes and pondering over the gags they were going to use to set up for Heath's date.
Once the bell rings for the final lesson of the Thursday afternoon, Kyle meets up with Casey at the front of the school. Liam, Dex, Ryder, and Romeo are also already waiting.
"What took so long?" Casey complains.
"I had to ask my music teacher about a song," Kyle replies.
"We just got half yearly's so that means smooth sailing for the rest of the year, why are you worried about that?" Liam asks.
Casey nods his head in agreement and high fives his friend.
"I happen to really enjoy music and I wanted to know," Kyle defends.
Casey rolls his eyes and laughs.
"Hey, do you two want to go to the arcade with Dex, Ryder and me? Romeo here has to bale on us," Liam says with a groan.
"Hey, I can't help it if my Mum needs me to help out at the shop again and on that note I better go before she gets mad that I'm late," Romeo replies and quickly waves goodbye to his friends.
"So are you two in?" Ryder asks.
Casey shakes his head.
"Ky and I are on a mission to do some shopping. We're going to find some tricks to use for Heath's dinner date tomorrow night with Bianca," Casey replies.
"That must really suck, Dudes, having the Principal dating your brother. I mean you see her at school and now she comes to your house," Liam comments.
"Miss. Scott is really nice outside of school," Kyle defends.
"Okay, teacher's pet," Ryder adds with a laugh and playfully shoves Kyle.
"I'm not!" Kyle argues.
"Yes you are, Ky," Casey laughs.
Kyle scowls at his brother and friends.
"Don't worry about it, they just wish that they were one," Dex smarts.
"I do not!" Casey and Ryder yell at once and Casey gives Dex a playful push.
The five teens all laugh for a moment before Dex turns serious again.
"So you think these tricks are going to work on your brother and make him leave you both alone?"
"We hope so. We're getting pretty sick of Heath getting back at us and Brax doesn't seem fussed on what Heath's doing," Kyle mumbles.
"Well I hope it works out for the two of you," Ryder adds.
"Yeah, I think Heath deserves something for the way he's pushing you two around," Liam comments.
"My point exactly: anyway, come on Ky, we have things to do," Casey says, tugging on Kyle's arm.
"I'll see all of you tomorrow," Kyle farewells; giving his friends a wave.
Casey and Kyle walk off into town, making their first stop into the joke shop at Yabbie Creek.
After perusing the aisles, they gather up their prank items they were intending to use: a pack of mixed bugs, a wind up beetle, a box of six packets of stink bombs, whoopee cushions, two, fifty-pack of coloured feathers, and glue.
Kyle and Casey walk up to the counter.
"Why do we need feathers and glue?" Kyle asks.
"I don't know; they just might come in handy. I just know it would be a cool gag. I mean maybe we could glue them all around Heath's flat or above his bed in case he takes Bianca over there and does it with her."
"Gross, Casey; she's our Principal!" Kyle exclaims.
"So? You know Heath thinks with that other part of his body sometimes. Don't you remember when I found his pile of sex magazines?" Casey recalls.
Kyle rolls his eyes but does remember Casey flapping around an inappropriate magazine when he was only ten, after he went snooping in Heath's room just to be annoying.
"Yeah okay, but that doesn't mean I want to think about it," Kyle complains as he scrunches up his nose.
The teens place the items on the counter.
"That comes to forty dollars," the cashier announces.
Casey pulls out the wad of money and hands his two ten dollar notes over along with Kyle's ten and twenty dollar notes.
Seeing the remaining twenty-five dollars in Casey's hand, Kyle begins to be thankful he would get some of his money back.
Kyle and Casey take their items, carrying one bag each.
As they reach the main part of Summer Bay, they walk past a chemist and Casey suddenly stops.
"I've just had another brilliant idea. What if besides all these gags, wouldn't it be funny if Heath had to go to the bathroom through his whole date?" Casey snickers.
"How do you mean? Kyle asks as he furrows his brow.
"Laxatives!" Casey answers while pointing inside the chemist window.
"I don't know. Laxatives can be harmful if used incorrectly," Kyle says, feeling sceptical.
"They won't be used incorrectly, they'll be helping Heath go to the bathroom! Anyway it's only going to be temporary," Casey states and walks into the chemist.
Kyle follows behind. Casey pulls a box of laxative sachets from the shelf when something else catches his eye.
"Ky: look!" Casey exclaims, drawing the attention of a few customers.
"Casey," Kyle warns, not wanting attention on him.
Casey was pointing towards the condom aisle.
"Think about it Ky: Heath is always banging on about being Mr. Macho, so how embarrassing would it be if we placed some super extra small condoms around when he's with Bianca?" Casey chuckles.
Kyle scoffs. Heath did have a tendency to act the big man, so this would really size him down.
"I guess that would be kind of funny," Kyle replies.
"Let's go get some!" Casey exclaims and runs off towards the aisle.
Kyle shuffles behind, trying to ignore the stares from fellow customers.
As Casey scans through the condom selection, the pharmacy assistant approaches.
"Can I help you gentlemen?" she asks.
Kyle instantly turns red with embarrassment and hangs his head, avoiding all eye contact.
"Um, we're looking for the super extra smallest condoms, but don't know what to get?" Casey informs.
The pharmacy lady looks at the teens.
"Well, they don't make super extra small, so small is the smallest size. Here is just the basic range," she explains and hands Casey a pack of twenty small sized condoms.
"That's great!" Casey beams and snatches the packet from the pharmacy assistant's hands.
"Was there anything else I could help you boys with?"
Kyle briefly glances up and shakes his head.
The pharmacy assistant walks off leaving the teens alone.
"What is wrong with you; could you be any more obvious?" Casey asks as he bumps Kyle.
"That was so embarrassing!" Kyle protests.
"It would be more embarrassing if these were for you, but this is to get back at Heath. Now come on. I hope the leftover cash covers all this!"
"It will. It will come to twenty five dollars; I already calculated it, to keep my mind off having the pharmacy lady asking questions about condoms."
"You Math nerd," Casey laughs.
When they arrive home, they are glad to see Brax had not finished from work yet so there would be no need to ask questions on their bags of shopping.
Kyle and Casey head straight into their room and hide the items in the wardrobe.
"Now, all we have to do is wait until tomorrow night," Casey smiles.
Kyle smiles in return, however still having doubts whether their epic prank would even work.