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“What do you think he is playing at?”

“He isn’t playing at anything.” Chad sighed heavily and got up from the chair. He walked around the room and flicked on his TV. “Maybe he got used to it while you were gone.”

“You believe that?” I arched an eyebrow as he pushed me across the bed and sat next to me.

Chad looked me in the eye for a few moments before turning his attention back to the football game he had just put on. “Perhaps.”

“Perhaps.” I grunted. “What insight you provide me, Chad.”

“Chloe, I want to watch the game.”

“You haven’t seen me in weeks!”

“And how I have missed your rants about Xavier. Now shut up and spend some brother time with me.”

“I don’t rant.”

Chad made a weird scoffing noise and shook his head. “Whatever you say, Sis. Whatever you say.”

I crossed my arms and fell back into the wall of pillows behind me. I stared angrily across the room. I didn’t rant.

Did I?

***

“THEY HAVE IT!” I screamed while bouncing on my knees, watching the football fly through the goalposts. “SCORE!”

Chad and I did a quick high five, getting right into the game.

“I told you he had it.” Chad said, sitting up in the bed. “He never misses.”

“Please, he always does.” I sat on my heels, smiling at my brother as he shook his head at me. “It’s only halftime though. A lot more to go.”

We both glanced at the door as a fist tapped on the outside of it before it flung open.

Dad.

“Hey, DAD!” I smiled at him. He looked deep in thought as his head snapped up and his eyes met mine. To say he didn’t look pleased to see me was an understatement.

“Why are you in here?” he asked, while glancing between Chad and me. “Chad, I need to speak to you.”

“Nice. Hi to you too, Dad.” I rolled my eyes. “Do I have to leave?”

“No.”

“Yes.”

Chad and Dad answered at the same time. I raised an eyebrow at Dad. Why did I have to leave?

“Dad, come on, Chloe knows everything.” Chad sighed. “Come on, spit it out.”

“Yeah, spit it out.” I said, with a sly smile. Chad whacked the back of my head slightly and shot me a look that said “keep quiet.”

“There has been a change.” Dad shifted uncomfortably.

I clapped my hands together. “I love cubs! Who is it?”

Cubs were adorable when they first changed. It usually happened between the ages of five to seven. It really depends on the child. The first time is always scary, for the parents and the child. Which is why Dad is usually called to come and talk everyone through it.