Chapter Six: Science Fiction Double Feature

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   I was bored out of my mind, Scott was a haggard mess, and the Crawford household was more boisterous than I’d ever seen it, even though it was just the two of us that resided here.

   Something was definitely wrong with Scott. The Scott that was seated at the kitchen table, stressing over all the bills we had to pay, that wasn’t the same Scott I knew before Tiffany left him. He was sleeping less and less now—if that was possible—and I wondered if he slept at all anymore. He certainly didn’t seem to. Something told me that he must’ve or else he would’ve gone crazy—crazier than he is now, that is—but the dark bags under his eyes said differently.

   Aside from all the sleeplessness, Scott had also become a lot more irritable in the last few days, especially after the fighting incident (though no matter how many times I told him I was fine and didn’t get hurt, he wouldn’t listen). No matter how hard I tried not to argue with him, we always ended up bickering over the stupidest things like whether or not I forgot to put the jug of juice back in the fridge after I drank some, or whose fault it was that the light in the bathroom had accidentally been left on last night. It was like Scott wanted to pick fights with me over the most senseless things imaginable. Um, hello? We were kinda in the middle of a crisis concerning the comic book store and Scott was worried about one of us accidentally leaving the bathroom light on last night? Unbelievable.

   I blamed Tiffany for turning my brother into…this. He was perfectly fine before. They were a happy couple—or so everyone thought. And then she just had to go and cheat on him. She pranced right out of his life, leaving him empty and broken hearted. I wonder if she knew how broken he was now, all because of her.

   And to think they had actually been in love at some point. The thought repulsed me, but at the same time reminded me of the good times, when everything was peachy and picture perfect. Tiffany was actually the one that helped Scott get over Mom and Dad’s deaths. She taught him how to find closure. They fell in love and afterwards, Scott started looking through rose-tinted glass. Well, up until she left him about a week and a half ago.

   I was really worried about Scott. He was upset, more upset than I’d ever seen him, and the last time he was like this was right after Mom and Dad died. Then he fell in love and everything was alright again. I had someone there with me to help pick up the broken remains of my brother: Tiffany. Now that Tiffany was gone, who would help get my brother back? I couldn’t do it by myself. I could barely talk to Scott anymore without him turning our conversation into a full-blown argument.

   If only he could fall in love again. Life would be so much easier, not only for him but for me as well. I was starting to get sick of his constant state of agitation.

   When I tried to balance two more cards on top of the stack, I accidentally brushed the bottom card with my hand and the house fell down. I leaned back and heaved out a sigh. Building a house of cards started to get frustrating after the third attempt.

   I was still grounded until the middle of next week, which wouldn’t have been that bad if Scott hadn’t revoked my TV privileges. So not only was I bored out of my mind, but I was also behind on all my favourite TV shows. I made a mental note to never get in trouble again. The consequences sucked.

   It was Saturday night, and I had to spend it inside with nobody except my brother who was being stupid and twisting nonexistent problems into major ones. The weather looked better than it had all week and the rest of the town was probably having fun on this fine evening, but I wasn’t. Not unless staying cooped up in your house was considered fun, which it wasn’t by even my standards. On any other Saturday night I would’ve probably already started heading over to Just Pie to chat it up with Lou and indulge in some heavenly desserts. I could practically taste their signature apple pie on my tongue… Oh wait. That was just drool. I must’ve been daydreaming.

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