A.J.

Even with all the knowledge in the world, there is only so much a fourteen-year-old boy can do. I feel helpless. For the first time since my abrupt awakening, I truly absorb the dreadfulness of the situation.

My brain keeps spinning out of control, and by the time the maid knocks on my door, it’s already 7 a.m., and I haven’t slept a wink. At the dining table, Father sits at the head, all doting and loving, and I have to fight the urge to puke. I could kill him; I would be tried as a child… It would give Levi and Ren ample time to escape his clutches.

“A.J.?” Mother’s voice snaps me back to reality. “You haven’t touched your plate,” she remarks, furrowing her brows.

Levi rolls his eyes, whispering in my ear, “Squirming if you’re not the center of attention for even a minute, eh?”

“I’m not hungry,” I tell her, though I force myself to take a forkful anyway.

“Oh, my little boy,” Father coos gently, reaching over to pat my head. “Those bastards wouldn’t let me be yesterday, but I’ll make it up to you. Don’t think I forgot,” he says, giving me that look. The one meant to convey seriousness when speaking to a child. My stomach flips.

“Anything you want,” he continues. “Just say it, and you’ll get it.” I can feel Levi rolling his eyes again without even looking.

I want you to leave us alone, but I can’t say that, so instead, I say, “I want to share a room with Ren.”

Levi chokes on his food, his eyes going wide as saucers. I hold my ground. “It would be nice to have a friend around. It’s like having sleepovers every night,” I add, quirking my mouth into my best rendition of harmlessness, complete with puppy eyes.

“My boy,” Father stutters, “surely we shouldn’t bother our guest.” His tone sharpens. Ren enters the kitchen as if on cue, with a servant trailing behind him, and I squirm. Yup, I’m doing this.

I purse my lips, squint my eyes, and take a gulp of breath. “But Father!” It’s starting. “That’s my birthday wish. It’s all I want! You can’t even give me this one simple thing!”

Father raises his hands bracing for the little ticking time bomb known as an A.J. tantrum. “Surely, you can have sleepovers at your brother’s whenever you want, even at Ren’s,” he adds, swallowing. “When he’s settled in, that is.”

Levi huffs annoyed. “I do not agree to this,” he interjects. But Mother grabs his hand, “Why, it would be a lovely idea! As the elder brother you should take this opportunity to get along better.”

“What do you mean opportunity? This isn't a business deal,” he huffs again, shaking her hand off. “You will not force me to bend over backward for another one of A.J.'s whims, this isn't happening.”

The resentment dripping from Levi's voice catches me off guard, and I wince at the sudden jolt of hurt. But I do not allow myself to dwell on it.

The conversation has gone wayward, I gotta up the dose. What would fourteen-year-old A.J. do, I ask myself. The answer comes in the form of the first scene I saw when I opened my eyes yesterday.

I grab the crystal glass and hurl it at the wall. “You don’t love me anymore!” I scream for good measure. Levi grips my arm tightly, trying to stop me from throwing something else, and frustration flares in my chest.

Mother looks scandalized, yet remains seated at the table, as prim and proper as ever. The only indication of her shock is a raised eyebrow and slightly parted lips. Ren stands frozen at the door, observing the scene.

Alright, so we must escalate. And escalate we shall. I stand abruptly, shoving the chair back. Levi lets out a startled scream, but I can’t worry about accidentally hurting him right now. He’ll survive.

“None of you love me!” I scream again, gripping the edge of the wooden table. When it refuses to budge, I seize the tablecloth instead, yanking it hard and sending bowls and cutlery crashing to the ground.

“You will give me what I want,” I snarl, my voice genuinely ragged this time, and I look directly at my father. “Or I will burn this house to the ground. With you in it.” I do not miss the way he flinches in response.

The silence that follows is broken only by my ragged breathing, and I am not surprised to find that I truly meant what I said.

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