See me when you look at me

Chapter 1

-Alexander's POV

″So the last time you saw them was like eight years ago?″

Tyler takes the screw out of his mouth and he shakes his head.

″I can’t actually remember, to be honest. I have never met my cousin Emma, but I know that Samantha is only six months younger then me. She and her mother used to live here with us, but they moved away when I was three or four years old. My aunt stayed in touch for a while, but that stopped after she and my mom had a huge fight. 

″A fight about what?″ I ask as I hand Tyler the screwdriver.

″I don’t know, man! Apparently my aunt is a ‘free spirit’ and that’s why she moved around a lot. Although my mom says that’s because my aunt can’t keep a job or deal with a breakup.″

I shrug my shoulders. Tyler's aunt really sounds like a peace of work.

″Well, look at my masterpiece! I told you it wouldn't take me forever to put it together!″ Tyler grabs his beer and he holds it up to the wardrobe.

″It only took you three hours and you still have to finish the beds, nightstands and the desk,″ I say with a smirk.

Tyler grabs his phone and he looks up in shock.

″Shit! I promised my mom that we would finish everything today. I have plans with Lydia, man!″

″Yes, you did. Good thing then that Lydia can help you with rest!''

Tyler gives me a dirty look, but then his little sister Mia storms into the room.

″Mom needs help with the groceries!″ Mia looks around the room ans she frowns. ″You really didn’t get far, Ty!″

″Tell me something that I don’t already know!″ Tyler snarls.

″I could, but that would take way too long!″ Mia says smugly and she storms out of the room.

″You want a sister, Alex? You can have her! Do you realise that soon I have to live with two more of them? Without my dad I’m already outnumbered by women.″

I grin and I hear Mia yelling from downstairs.

″Tyler, the groceries! Alexander, are you staying for dinner?″

Now it is Tyler that is grinning from ear to ear. It was normal for me to stay for dinner, especially when my dad was away for business. So staying for dinner was not the problem, the problem was that I never knew if I was going to survive Mrs. Reed cooking. She always said the follows her instincts when she is cooking, while I kept secretly hoping that the she would follow a recipe for a change.

″You know my mom loves it when you stay for dinner and she will insist that you stay for dinner when she founds out that your dad is away. So stay for dinner and since that won't be ready any time soon, you can help me!'' Tyler says with an evil smile on his face.

I groan and in that moment Mia storms back into the room.

″Are the two of you deaf?″

″Well, you are really loud,″ I answer and I see Tyler's face. ″Fine, I stay for dinner. Mia, would you be a dear and tell your mom that dinner is my treat tonight. How about we order some pizza?″

″PIZZA!″ Mia yells excitedly. ″With extra pineapple and salami?″

″You can order whatever you want as long as you order a Carbonara for me. So go tell your mom before she starts cooking dinner!″

And Mia is gone and I don’t even bother to look in Tyler's direction.

″Say something to your mom and you are on your own!″

″Mia!″ Tyler yells. ″I want a pizza Americana and since Alex is buying, order me a large Coke!″

″I want a Coke too!″ I hear Mia yell.

Tyler looks very pleased with himself and I take a big gulp of my beer.

″I would reschedule that date with Lydia if I were you or would you like to show her that you don’t know how to put a wardrobe together?″

″What do you mean?″ Tyler asks as he looks at his masterpiece.

″Well, you do know that you’re supposed to be able to open and close the drawers right?″

Tyler grabs a knob and he pulls, but nothing happens. I see Tyler is getting frustrated and he pulls harder. There is a loud cracking sound and Tyler holds a part of the drawer in his hand. After seeing his face, I can’t contain my laughter any longer. 

Furiously Tyler kicks the wardrobe and it falls apart.

″SON OF A ...!″