GINGER ALE

My dad was smiling but my mom was frowning, yet Squeakers was as surprised as I was.

Alex yawned then asked,"So can I start going to the camp now?"

My dad was nodding but my mom was shaking her head. I was conflicted between the two parties but I eventually settled on a decision,"No, because I will personally train you."

My dad gave me a double thumbs up but my mom groaned and slapped her forehead and Alex yelled,"Really?!"

I nodded.

I sensed Alexa run away and my mom followed her.

I descended the stairs to find my mom searching for her then my dad said,"I know where she is."

"Don't. Let me ask you both a question and if you really are adults, you'll at least consider the answer, do you know how many nights Alex cried to sleep? Or how many times Alex tried to kill himself just to activate his light so he could be with you, Felix? Now you're doing the same thing to Alexa."

We didn't say anything and I eventually walked to the sink cabinet then went on one knee and opened it.

I saw Alexa crouched in it, hugging Squeakers with it tenderly licking her tears.

I stretched my arms but it hissed.

I rolled my eyes then picked her up.

She didn't want to look at my face.

I could tell by her Neuro transmitter levels that she was ashamed and sad.

I then said,"I'm sorry."

She then looked at me and hugged me.

I didn't feel as much regret as I showed mostly because I thought she was overreacting, being a drama queen and being jealous.

My mom took her hand and led her to the car.

***

"I don't actually blame her."Anneliese said.

"Why not? It wasn't our fault she was wasn't born with a light, it was just by chance."I said.

"But she's a kid, it's normal for her to feel insecure, besides, try putting yourself into her shoes."

I sat down grumpily then she sat by me on the swing and placed her hand on mine then said,"Try to understand her, please?"

I didn't want to look into her eyes, as I would have broken down, but I found myself doing just that and I couldn't resist those beautiful eyes.

"Fine."I said.

"Thanks."

"I've gotta check up on Alex, he's probably finished reading the passage I told him to read."

I stood up and left the camp.

Alexa came from school and rushed to her room to find Squeaky but saw Alex tearing up a book and scribbling on it. She yelled,"Alex, what are you doing?!"

He looked at her then rolled his eyes.

She then said,"Wait till I tell mom."

"Whatever, Mama's girl."He finally said.

She couldn't stand it, that was one of my favourite books. She yelled for him to stop and ran to take it out of his hands.

They wrestled for it till it ripped in half, just then, Alex yelled,"Alexa! Why did you tear our big brother's book?!"

"What?! You did it!"Alex yelled.

"What happened here?!"I yelled

Alexa looked at me then Alex started crying then said,"I was trying to read the book when Alexa came and told me mom was calling me, when I went and found out she lied, I came to see her ripping pages out of your book. Then she said she'd blame me for it."

I was furious at Alexa who insisted she was innocent. I trusted Alex too much to believe he'd do something like that, so I didn't even use Aqua Orchestra, an Illusion or the CCTV camera footage.

I just yelled at Alexa,"Why on earth will you do something like that?!"

Squeakers was whimpering as she said,"But I didn't, it was Al..."

"Stop lying! Why are you so jealous of your own brother?"

"But I'm not."

"I've heard enough, leave."

Squeakers started firing spheres of water and snow at me as the small irises of its eyes were glowing but I didn't need much concentration to deflect them.

Alexa burst into tears then ran out of the room, but I went to attend to Alex who was still crying.

"Don't worry Alex, I'll make sure I'm with you when you study from now on, that way she can't do something like that again okay?"

He wiped his tears then nodded.

My mom was sprinkling some salt into the curry she was making when she heard sobbing.

She followed the sounds to see Alexa crying, with Squeakers, as usual, gingerly licking her tears.

"Baby, what's wrong?"My mom said, really concerned.

Alexa quickly stopped sobbing and tried to hide her tears while saying,"Nothing, I just stubbed my toe."

"Are you sure? Let me see it."

"No... it's okay."

"Alexa, you can tell me the truth, I'm your mother and I'll try to help you, please?"

Alexa looked at her and told her everything.

My mom stood up but Alexa said,"No, please don't yell at them, I don't want brother Felix to get sad."

"But he was mad, Ginger Ale, I have to do something, or they'll continue being like this to you, but I won't yell at them."My mom said.

"Pinky promise?"

"... pinky promise."

I was reading one of the intact sheets of paper left when my mom walked into the room and said calmly,"Please activate your Aqua Orchestra."

Alex's heart rate slightly increased and I sensed it, but I thought it was because he was scared of our mom so didn't bother reading his mind.

"Why?"I asked.

"So we can find out if my baby really did tear the book."My mom continued.

I shrugged my shoulders and realized Alex was breathing faster and already knew the answer before I did it.

The water went into positions and I sighed disappointedly at Alex then my mom said,"I believe you owe my daughter an apology, both of you."

I had a lot of pride to swallow before I was able to do what was demanded, but eventually did. She hugged me happily then said,"I forgive you."

Squeakers was excited and jumped on a heap of snow which increased in height everytime it jumped.

It must've been quite a smart monster which must have been exposed for a long time to humans in order for it to understand human emotions and words to that extent.

When Alexa hugged Alex, I sensed him whisper,"I'll get my revenge..."

"No you won't."I said, carrying him by the collar,"In fact, you're going to have to play with your sister whenever she wants to for the rest of the week and she'll monitor your studies, I'll monitor you myself."

"What?! I don't wanna play girlie games with her!"He yelled in a tone I didn't expect.

I frowned and he calmed down but she said,"It's okay, he doesn't have to play with me if he doesn't want to."

"Of course he doesn't, but he wants to play with you, don't you, Alex?"I said, looking at him from the corner of my eyes.

He nodded and mumbled an answer.

I said,"We can't hear you."

"Yes you can!"He yelled.

My mom called him angrily.

He then said,"Fine, yes, I want to."

Alexa smiled and hesitated, but then hugged him.