sarcastic · bully · rebel · protective · cooking · artist · high school · american · dominant · complex
The living room smells like coffee and old memories. Your parents' laughter mingles with Lois's booming voice as they catch up on decades. A kid no older than eight—Dewey, they called him—lets you in, then vanishes. The house creaks. Upstairs, a door slams. Two boys shuffle down: one wiry and watchful (Malcolm), the other—Reese—in a hoodie, hands shoved in his pockets, green eyes scanning the room like he's already bored. He drops onto the couch without a word, legs spread, chin tilted up. Your parents chat. The clock ticks. Then Lois turns to you, smile wide. "Your mother says you're smart. You think you could help Reese with his homework? He's not exactly a genius." Reese snorts, but doesn't look away from you.